Paper / Pulp Chemicals

paper pulp chemicals

AKD Sizing Agent (Alkyl Ketene Dimer)

Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) is a widely used neutral and alkaline internal sizing agent for paper and board production. It forms a covalent ester bond with cellulose hydroxyl groups, providing excellent long-term hydrophobicity and ink holdout. AKD is typically supplied as a stable wax emulsion for easy addition to the wet end.

paper pulp chemicals

ASA Sizing Agent (Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride)

CAS: 26680-54-6

Alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) is a reactive internal sizing agent widely used in neutral and alkaline papermaking systems. It provides excellent hydrophobicity to paper and board, ensuring strong water resistance and printability. ASA reacts covalently with cellulose fibers, delivering durable sizing performance even at low dosage levels.

paper pulp chemicals

Alum (Papermaking Grade Aluminum Sulfate)

CAS: 10043-01-3

Aluminum sulfate (alum) is a classical papermaking chemical used to fix rosin size onto cellulose fibers in acidic papermaking systems, lowering the pH to 4.5–5.5 to promote sizing efficiency. It also acts as a coagulant to precipitate dissolved and colloidal substances from furnish, improving retention and drainage. In modern alkaline mills, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) has largely replaced alum, but alum remains widely used in acidic paper grades.

paper pulp chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide (Paper Grade)

CAS: 9003-05-8

Anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) for paper grade is a high-molecular-weight polymer used as a retention and drainage aid in the wet end of papermaking. It works synergistically with cationic coagulants and microparticle systems to improve fine and filler retention, drainage speed, and paper formation. It also serves as a dry strength resin and flocculation aid in stock preparation.

paper pulp chemicals

Anthraquinone (Kraft Pulping Additive)

CAS: 84-65-1

Anthraquinone (AQ) is a highly effective pulping additive used in kraft and soda pulping processes to accelerate delignification and protect cellulose from degradation. Even at very low dosage levels (0.05–0.1% on o.d. wood), it significantly increases pulp yield and reduces the kappa number of unbleached pulp. Anthraquinone acts as a redox catalyst, shuttling electrons between lignin and carbohydrates.

paper pulp chemicals

Bentonite Microparticle (Retention & Drainage Aid)

CAS: 1302-78-9

Bentonite microparticle is a swelling smectite clay used as the anionic component in dual and multi-component retention and drainage systems for papermaking. When added after a high-molecular-weight cationic polymer, bentonite breaks the polymer-fiber flocs into smaller, more uniformly distributed microflocs, dramatically improving formation, drainage, and filler retention. It is widely used in alkaline fine paper and packaging board production.

paper pulp chemicals

Black Liquor Evaporation Antifoam (Silicone Defoamer)

Silicone-based antifoam agents designed for kraft black liquor evaporation are used to suppress foam formation during the concentration of spent cooking liquor in multi-effect evaporators. Uncontrolled foaming in evaporators causes carryover, equipment fouling, and reduced evaporation efficiency. These high-temperature-stable, alkali-resistant antifoams are effective at trace dosage levels in highly caustic, high-solids black liquor.

paper pulp chemicals

Broke Repulping and Disintegration Aid

Broke repulping and disintegration aids are alkaline or enzymatic chemical formulations that accelerate the breakdown of wet-strength-treated, sized, or coated broke paper in repulping systems. They facilitate fiber separation and reduce energy consumption in broke pulpers, ensuring efficient recovery of fiber for reuse in the paper machine furnish. These aids are particularly important for tissue, paperboard, and specialty paper mills that generate wet-strength or coated broke.

paper pulp chemicals

Calendering Lubricant (Paper Supercalender Aid)

Calendering lubricants are applied to coated or uncoated paper webs prior to supercalendering or soft-nip calendering to improve gloss development, surface smoothness, and reduce friction between paper and calender roll surfaces. They prevent coating pick-off and surface damage during calendering, enabling production of high-gloss printing papers. These water-based formulations contain lubricating agents, softeners, and coating film-formers.

paper pulp chemicals

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (Paper & Coating Grade)

CAS: 9004-32-4

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble anionic cellulose ether used in paper coating formulations as a thickener, water-retention agent, and co-binder. It provides excellent rheology control in coating colors, improving runnability and coating uniformity. CMC is also used in the wet end as a dry strength additive and as a surface sizing component.

paper pulp chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide (Paper Grade)

Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) for paper applications is a highly effective coagulant and retention aid used in the wet end of paper machines. Its positive charge allows it to interact strongly with anionic fiber fines, fillers, and colloidal substances in the stock, forming large flocs that improve retention, drainage, and paper machine runnability. It is also applied in wastewater treatment for sludge dewatering.

paper pulp chemicals

Cationic Starch

CAS: 65996-62-5

Cationic starch is a chemically modified starch with positively charged substituents, widely used as a dry strength additive and retention aid in papermaking. It adsorbs strongly onto negatively charged cellulose fibers, improving fiber bonding, filler retention, and drainage on the paper machine. Cationic starch also functions as a surface sizing agent to enhance paper strength and stiffness.

paper pulp chemicals

Chlorine Dioxide Generator Chemicals (ClO₂ Bleaching)

Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) is the primary bleaching agent in modern elemental chlorine-free (ECF) kraft pulp bleaching, offering superior delignification selectivity and brightness stability compared to molecular chlorine. Generator precursor chemicals — typically sodium chlorate and reducing agents such as sulfur dioxide or methanol — are used in on-site ClO₂ production systems at pulp mills.

paper pulp chemicals

Colloidal Silica Microparticle Retention System

Colloidal silica microparticle systems are used in the paper machine wet end as part of a two-component or three-component retention and drainage system. When used in combination with a cationic polymer (cationic starch or CPAM), colloidal silica creates microflocs with high surface area that dramatically improve retention efficiency, drainage speed, and paper formation uniformity on high-speed paper machines.

paper pulp chemicals

Cotton Linter Processing Additive (Specialty Paper)

Cotton linter processing additives are specialty chemicals used in the purification, bleaching, and refining of cotton linter pulp for high-purity cellulose paper applications. They include cooking aids, bleaching chemicals, and drainage enhancers tailored for the unique fiber structure of cotton linter. These additives enable production of premium cotton-based papers including currency paper, cigarette paper, filter paper, and fine art paper with superior purity and strength.

paper pulp chemicals

Creping Adhesive (Tissue Paper)

Creping adhesives are specialty polymer formulations applied to the Yankee dryer cylinder in tissue and towel paper production to control the adhesion level of the paper web to the cylinder surface. Proper adhesion is critical for creping efficiency, tissue softness, stretch, and bulk. These adhesives are based on polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyacrylate, or blend systems tailored for different Yankee operating conditions.

paper pulp chemicals

Creping Release Agent (Tissue Yankee)

Creping release agents are applied to the Yankee dryer in tissue paper manufacturing to balance the adhesion of the creping adhesive, allowing controlled release of the paper web at the doctor blade for uniform creping. They are typically based on polyols, fatty acids, or mineral oil dispersions and are dosed in opposition to the adhesive to achieve the optimal adhesion-release balance for target tissue softness and crepe structure.

paper pulp chemicals

DTPA Chelating Agent (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid)

CAS: 67-43-6

DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is a powerful chelating agent used in pulp bleaching to sequester transition metal ions such as manganese, iron, and copper that catalytically decompose hydrogen peroxide. Pre-treatment of pulp with DTPA before alkaline peroxide bleaching improves peroxide efficiency and brightness gain. It is widely used in both mechanical and chemical pulp bleaching systems.

paper pulp chemicals

Deinking Surfactant (Flotation Deinking)

Deinking surfactants are specialty blends of fatty acid soaps, nonionic, and anionic surfactants formulated to detach ink particles from recycled paper fibers and facilitate their removal by flotation or washing. Effective deinking surfactants improve brightness and cleanliness of deinked pulp (DIP), enabling production of high-quality recycled fiber papers. Formulations are optimized for different recovered paper grades including ONP, OMG, and mixed office waste.

paper pulp chemicals

Fluorescent Whitening Agent (Paper Grade OBA)

Fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) or optical brightening agents (OBA) for paper are stilbene-based or coumarin-based compounds that absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible blue light, significantly increasing the perceived whiteness and brightness of paper. They are applied at the wet end, size press, or in coating colors, and are essential for premium white printing and writing papers.

paper pulp chemicals

Fortified Rosin Ester Size

Fortified rosin ester size is an enhanced rosin-based sizing agent produced by reacting natural rosin with maleic anhydride or fumaric acid, increasing the acid value and improving sizing efficiency compared to plain rosin. Available as anionic or cationic emulsions, it provides superior water resistance, printability, and sizing uniformity at reduced dosage. Fortified rosin sizes are used in both acidic and slightly acidic papermaking conditions.

paper pulp chemicals

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC, Paper Grade)

CAS: 471-34-1

Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) is mechanically produced from natural limestone or marble, offering a cost-effective filler and coating pigment for papermaking. It provides good brightness, opacity, and smoothness in both wet-end filling and surface coating applications. GCC is the most widely used mineral filler in global alkaline papermaking due to its abundance and competitive cost.

paper pulp chemicals

Hydrogen Peroxide (Pulp Bleaching Grade)

CAS: 7722-84-1

Hydrogen peroxide is the key oxidative bleaching agent in elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and totally chlorine-free (TCF) pulp bleaching processes. It is effective for brightening both chemical and mechanical pulps, particularly in alkaline peroxide bleaching stages. When used with chelating agents and silicate stabilizers, it delivers consistent brightness gain with minimal fiber degradation.

paper pulp chemicals

Hydrophobic Surface Sizing Agent

Hydrophobic surface sizing agents are polymer-based formulations applied at the size press or film press to impart water repellency and liquid resistance to paper and board surfaces. They are based on styrene-acrylate, styrene-maleic anhydride, or polyurethane emulsion chemistry, providing superior water resistance, Cobb values, and grease resistance compared to starch-only sizing. These agents are essential for packaging, liquid-contact, and food-grade paper applications.

paper pulp chemicals

Hydroxyethyl Starch (Coating Grade)

Hydroxyethyl starch is an etherified starch produced by reacting native starch with ethylene oxide, resulting in improved cold-water solubility, lower retrogradation tendency, and better film clarity. It is used in paper coating formulations as a co-binder and rheology modifier, providing excellent film formation and pigment binding in high-speed coating operations.

paper pulp chemicals

Kaolin Clay (Paper Coating & Filler Grade)

CAS: 1332-58-7

Kaolin clay (hydrated aluminum silicate) is the primary coating pigment used in paper and board manufacturing, providing excellent gloss, printability, and ink receptivity. Its platelet morphology creates a smooth, dense surface ideal for offset, gravure, and digital printing. Calcined and delaminated grades offer enhanced brightness and opacity for premium coated paper applications.

paper pulp chemicals

Optical Brightening Agent VBL (Stilbene-Type OBA)

CAS: 4404-43-7

Optical brightening agent VBL is a stilbene-type fluorescent whitening agent with strong affinity for cellulose fibers, making it particularly effective when applied at the paper wet end or size press. It provides significant brightness and whiteness improvement to paper and textile substrates. VBL offers excellent color fastness to light and is compatible with both acidic and alkaline papermaking conditions.

paper pulp chemicals

Oxidized Starch (Surface Sizing Grade)

CAS: 65996-62-5

Oxidized starch is a chemically modified starch produced by oxidation with hypochlorite, giving it lower viscosity and better film-forming properties than native starch. It is widely used as a surface sizing agent applied at the size press or film press of paper machines. Oxidized starch improves surface strength, printability, and smoothness of paper and board.

paper pulp chemicals

Peracetic Acid (TCF Bleaching Agent)

CAS: 79-21-0

Peracetic acid (PAA) is an oxidative bleaching agent used in totally chlorine-free (TCF) pulp bleaching sequences. It effectively removes residual lignin and brightens pulp without generating chlorinated compounds in the effluent, making it highly suitable for environmentally sensitive kraft and sulfite pulp applications. PAA is also used for microbiological control in paper mill white water systems.

paper pulp chemicals

Poly-DADMAC (Polydiallyldimethylammonium Chloride)

Poly-DADMAC (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride) is a high-charge-density cationic polyelectrolyte widely used in papermaking as a fixative for anionic substances, a coagulant for dissolved and colloidal material, and a drainage and retention aid. Its strong permanent cationic charge neutralizes anionic colloidal substances (ACS) in the white water loop, improving sizing efficiency and reducing chemical demand.

paper pulp chemicals

Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC, Paper Grade)

CAS: 1327-41-9

Polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is a highly effective inorganic coagulant used in papermaking wet end and wastewater treatment. Its pre-hydrolyzed polymeric aluminum species provide superior charge neutralization and coagulation of colloidal substances compared to conventional alum, and are effective over a wider pH range (5–9). PAC improves retention, drainage, and formation while also functioning as a fixative for anionic substances in the furnish.

paper pulp chemicals

Polyamidoamine-Epichlorohydrin Resin (PAE Wet Strength Resin)

CAS: 25152-84-5

Polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin is the leading wet strength resin for papermaking, providing permanent wet tensile and burst strength to paper and tissue products. It forms covalent cross-links with cellulose under curing conditions, ensuring paper retains its mechanical strength when wet. PAE is non-formaldehyde, environmentally acceptable, and effective across a wide pH range.

paper pulp chemicals

Polymer-Based Antifoam (Paper Machine Grade)

Polymer-based antifoams for paper machine systems are non-silicone defoamers formulated with mineral oils, fatty acid esters, or polyol-based active components. They control foam in white water systems, stock preparation, and headboxes without the wire contamination and staining risks associated with silicone antifoams. These water-dispersible formulations provide rapid foam knockdown and extended foam prevention in the paper machine wet end.

paper pulp chemicals

Polyphosphate Dispersant (Talc & Pitch Control)

Polyphosphate-based dispersants are used in papermaking to stabilize mineral slurry dispersions (calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc) and to control pitch and stickies deposition on paper machine surfaces. They prevent agglomeration of mineral particles in coating colors and filling slurries, ensuring uniform dispersion and stable viscosity. They also act as scale inhibitors for calcium carbonate deposits in white water systems.

paper pulp chemicals

Polyurethane Binder (Specialty Paper & Nonwovens)

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) binders are used in specialty paper and nonwoven manufacturing to provide superior mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability to paper substrates and fiber mats. They are applied in specialty technical papers, filter papers, medical papers, and composite nonwoven fabrics where conventional cellulose-based binders are insufficient. Polyurethane binders offer excellent abrasion resistance, wet strength, and chemical resistance.

paper pulp chemicals

Polyvinyl Alcohol (Paper & Coating Grade)

CAS: 9002-89-5

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble polymer used in papermaking as a surface sizing agent, coating binder, and barrier additive. It forms strong, flexible films on paper surfaces, enhancing surface strength, oil and grease resistance, and printability. PVA is also used as a co-binder in pigment coating formulations to improve coating hold-out and gloss.

paper pulp chemicals

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC, Paper Grade)

CAS: 471-34-1

Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a synthetically produced, high-purity filler and coating pigment used extensively in alkaline papermaking. Its scalenohedral, aragonitic, or cubic crystal morphologies can be tailored to optimize paper brightness, opacity, bulk, and printability. PCC enables cost reduction by replacing fiber while maintaining or improving paper quality.

paper pulp chemicals

Precipitated Silica Filler (Paper Grade)

CAS: 7631-86-9

Precipitated silica (fine particle amorphous silica) is used in paper manufacturing as a functional filler to improve opacity, printability, and ink absorbency. Its high surface area and porous structure enhance ink drying speed and color density on uncoated and coated paper grades. It is particularly valued in inkjet, thermal, and carbonless paper applications.

paper pulp chemicals

Rosin Size Emulsion

CAS: 8050-09-7

Rosin size emulsion is a traditional acidic internal sizing agent derived from natural rosin, used primarily in acidic papermaking systems with alum as the fixing agent. It provides good water resistance and printability at economical cost. Fortified rosin sizes offer improved sizing efficiency and are available in both anionic and cationic forms.

paper pulp chemicals

Slimicide Isothiazolinone (Paper Machine Biocide)

Isothiazolinone-based slimicides are broad-spectrum biocides used in paper mill white water systems, stock preparation, and coating kitchens to control microbial slime, bacterial deposits, and biofilm formation. Uncontrolled microbial growth in papermaking systems causes sheet breaks, holes, odor problems, and chemical failures. These biocides provide effective control against bacteria, fungi, and algae at low use levels.

paper pulp chemicals

Sodium Dithionite (Sodium Hydrosulfite)

CAS: 7775-14-6

Sodium dithionite (sodium hydrosulfite) is a powerful reductive bleaching agent used primarily for brightening mechanical pulps such as groundwood, thermomechanical pulp (TMP), and chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP). It selectively reduces chromophoric groups in lignin without significant fiber degradation, providing rapid and effective brightness gain. It is also used in recycled fiber deinking and newsprint brightening.

paper pulp chemicals

Sodium Hydroxide (Pulping & Bleaching Grade)

CAS: 1310-73-2

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is a fundamental chemical in pulp and paper manufacturing, used in kraft pulping as part of white liquor, in alkaline extraction stages during bleaching, and in pH adjustment throughout the papermaking process. It dissolves lignin from wood chips during cooking and facilitates the regeneration of pulping chemicals in the kraft recovery cycle.

paper pulp chemicals

Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (Pulp Bleaching Grade)

CAS: 7681-52-9

Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorine-based oxidizing bleaching agent used in the bleaching of chemical and mechanical pulps. It effectively removes residual lignin and chromophores, increasing pulp brightness. In modern elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching sequences, it can serve as a supplemental brightening stage alongside chlorine dioxide and peroxide.

paper pulp chemicals

Sodium Silicate (Peroxide Bleaching Stabilizer)

CAS: 1344-09-8

Sodium silicate (waterglass) serves as an essential stabilizer in alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical and recycled pulps. It deactivates heavy metal ions (Mn, Fe, Cu) that catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, ensuring efficient utilization of the oxidant for brightness gain. Sodium silicate also provides alkalinity buffering and contributes to the dispersing and saponifying of ink during deinking.

paper pulp chemicals

Stickies Control Agent (Cationic Fixative)

Stickies control agents are cationic polymers or specialized dispersants used to passivate and fix sticky contaminants (pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot melts, and coatings residues) in recycled fiber systems. They prevent stickies from depositing on paper machine fabrics, rolls, and wires, which cause sheet defects, breaks, and costly cleaning downtime. These agents are critical for mills using high proportions of recovered paper furnish.

paper pulp chemicals

Styrene-Butadiene Latex (SB Latex, Paper Coating Grade)

CAS: 9003-55-8

Styrene-butadiene (SB) latex is the primary binder in paper and board coating formulations, providing adhesion between pigment particles and fiber, as well as cohesion within the coating layer. It imparts excellent printability, gloss, and surface strength to coated papers. SB latex is used in combination with co-binders such as starch or CMC, and is the dominant coating binder globally for offset, gravure, and digital printing papers.

paper pulp chemicals

Talc (Paper Grade — Pitch Control & Filler)

CAS: 14807-96-6

Talc is a naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral used in papermaking as a pitch control agent and functional filler. Its hydrophobic platelet structure adsorbs sticky resin and pitch particles from wood pulp, preventing deposition on paper machine components. As a filler, talc contributes to paper opacity, smoothness, and reduced linting during printing.

paper pulp chemicals

Titanium Dioxide (Paper & Laminate Grade)

CAS: 13463-67-7

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is the most effective white pigment for opacity and brightness in paper manufacturing. It is used in decorative laminates, specialty papers, banknote paper, and high-quality printing papers where maximum opacity at minimum basis weight is required. TiO₂ scatters visible light far more efficiently than any other mineral filler, enabling production of thin, opaque paper grades.

paper pulp chemicals

Urea-Formaldehyde Resin (Paper Wet Strength Grade)

CAS: 9011-05-6

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin is a temporary wet strength resin used in papermaking where controlled wet strength and repulpability are required. It provides good initial wet tensile strength economically and is commonly used in tissue paper, toweling, and industrial absorbent products. The wet strength effect diminishes with prolonged water soaking, facilitating recycling and repulping.

paper pulp chemicals

Wax Emulsion (Paper Water-Resistance Grade)

CAS: 8002-74-2

Paraffin wax emulsion for paper applications provides water repellency, moisture resistance, and reduced friction to paper and board surfaces when applied at the size press or by surface coating. It forms a hydrophobic wax film on paper that reduces water absorption and improves the slip and release characteristics of packaging papers. Wax emulsions are also used as internal sizing agents and as coating additives in corrugated and packaging board.