Characterization and modification of chemi-thermomechanical pulp fibres for custom-made pulp properties

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The pulp and paper industry is the largest manufacturing industry in terms of employment and net exports in Canada.  The Canadian pulp and paper industry has been playing a leading role in the world market.  However, in the recent years, global competition has been increasing.  To meet the challenge, the Canadian pulp and paper industry has recently defined a strategic focus on the development of value-added products from mechanical pulps.  Bleached Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulp (BCTMP) is a major component of the mechanical pulp grades.  With the advances in pulp manufacturing, mechanical pulp bleaching and papermaking machinery, BCTMP can now be used as a substitute for kraft pulp in many high end applications, such as coated wood-free paper grades, copy paper, carbonless paper, and other specialty paper grades, and tissue paper, fluff pulps and multiply boards.  The main drive behind the increased use of BCTMP in various paper grades is not only the cost reduction but also the higher bulk, higher opacity and better printability of paper obtained with the use of BCTMP.   However, some technical issues such as surface roughening need to be addressed in order to further increase the use of BCTMP in wood-free paper.  Also, there is a demand for higher bulk from board manufacturers so that the same caliper can be obtained at a lower basis weight.  The aim of this project is to gain knowledge on the mechanism of surface roughening and the formation of paper bulk, and identify key fibre characteristics with regards to surface roughening and paper bulk.  It is expected that the project will result in the development of novel methodologies for fibre characterization and paper structure analysis and will lead to new understanding of the mechanical pulping technologies and fibre-paper relationship. Knowledge gained from this project will directly benefit several mechanical pulp producers in Canada by enabling them to modify their process technologies for improved pulp quality.