Paper chemicals are important in the paper manufacturing and paper recycling processes. Paper making starts with plant fibres which are extracted of pulpwood trees such as spruces. As wood consists of cellulose fibers, which are bound together by lignin, the fibers have to be separated in a process called pulping. This paper production process separates the fibers either chemically or mechanically.

 

Since used paper still contains plant fibers, it is common today that paper waste is collected by paper companies. To recycle paper means to save scarce natural resources such as wood and energy. However, water is also vital for the recycling of paper as the process for recycled paper is similar to the original fabrication. After the collection of used paper products, paper manufacturers chop paper in small pieces and mix it with water. Like in regular paper manufacturing, recycling paper is then treated mechanically or chemically to receive as much original fibers as possible. Recycling chemicals make sure that ink, colours and industrial coatings are removed from the pulp. As this process damages lots of natural fibers, paper can only be recycled to a limited extent.

 

Paper chemical products are often used in the paper industry. As recycled paper has a more yellow or grey colour, paper bleaching processes are very important. Bleaching chemicals remove inks, dyes and coatings. Also many applications demand a high level of whiteness, especially when paper is used in corporate office life. Bleaching materials are commonly chlorine, sodium hydroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

Although there were scientific approaches about 30 years ago to introduce a concept of the paperless office, the paper consumption in home and corporate offices has increased. Therefore, paper recycling has become a major issue. Paper waste disposal systems and recycling service companies are an integral part of the international paper industry. Used paper board containers and boxes, office paper, newspapers and magazines are reused today to create recycling products such as paper bags or toilet paper. Office shredders, public recycling bins and paper disposal systems help to process and collect paper waste.

 

Many companies have introduced innovations in the paper industry to reduce the amount of used natural resources and to less pollute the environment. Besides wood, also cotton can be used as raw material. Cotton can be processed with less chemicals and is biodegradable. Also for chemical coatings, which make paper boxes and packaging paper more robust, there is a trend to more and more replace synthetic coatings.