Recycled Fiber - Its Use and Effect in Fine Papermaking, 1995 Recycling Symposium Proceedings

Philip A. Ford

Allied Colloids Inc.

Many fine paper mills are becoming environmentally conscious and have either built, are building, or are planning to build a recycled/deinked fiber plant. These mills are planning to substitute 20-25% of virgin fiber with recycled deinked office waste paper (OWP). Great care has to be taken to ensure there is the minimum of carryover of silicate and/or deinking surfactants onto the paper machine.

Experience has shown that a well run deinking plant can produce a very suitable paper making fiber. Poorly washed pulps, or overdosed chemicals can play havoc with the wet end chemistry balance. Deposits of silica, variable retention of fiber and filler and adverse effects on sizing are potential pit falls for the unwary papermaker.

Carefully monitoring the chemistry of the deinking system and the wet end system of the paper machine or machines will give the stock preparation and paper machine management the data to maintain control.

Retention is one of the most important parameters effected by poor control of deinking systems. The retention aid supplier can evaluate the effect of the deinked/recycled fiber on the fine paper machine wet end chemistry and recommend the most suitable system. Single component, dual polymer, dual component, or maybe even a three component system are all available for maintaining a clean problem-free running paper machine wet end.