Anaerobic biovalorization of pulp and paper mill waste

This chapter highlights the importance of anaerobic digestion in pulp and paper mill waste (PPMW) treatment. Due to increasing environmental concerns and strict laws about the effluents from industries, it becomes imperative to use such a technology. PPMW contains a vast amount of organic contaminants that are recalcitrant. Postaerobic treatment, a considerable amount of sludge is generated, and to cope up with this, anaerobic digestion, which results in much-reduced sludge volumes, is one of the best methods. Anaerobic digestion of PPMW offers additional benefits through the generation of renewable value-added bioproducts such as biogas, biomethane, biohydrogen, and biofertilizer, along with the treatment of waste. The present chapter describes the importance of anaerobic treatment of PPMW for both sludge and wastewater and the simultaneous generation of value-added products. In the end, the various challenges associated with anaerobic treatment and their mitigation strategies are also discussed.