Effect of reduced pulp xylan content on wet end chemistry and paper properties — a pilot scale study

In this scale-up study, we examined the effects of using varying amounts of fibers with reduced xylan content in paper. Bleached birch kraft pulp was partially or fully replaced by alkali-extracted pulp, and the effects of this replacement on the wet end chemistry of the paper machine and the resulting paper properties were determined. Our results show that paper properties can be maintained or improved when optimizing the partial replacement of bleached birch kraft pulp with alkali-extracted pulp. The incorporation of alkali-extracted pulp in paper machine stock had a positive effect on first pass retention and retention of chemicals. However, careful optimization of chemical dosages is required because of the altered charge balance in the wet end.