Enzymes have become an integral part of the pulp and paper industry, offering a range of benefits that help reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process while improving the quality of the end product. There are several enzymes used in the industry, each with its own unique benefits.

Cellulase is used in the pulp and paper industry to improve the efficiency of the pulp-making process. By modifying cellulose fibers in different ways, cellulase enzymes reduce the energy required to pulp the wood, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, the use of cellulase enzymes reduces the amount of chemical pulping agents required, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Cellulases are also used for drainage, deinking, and fiber modification, making it easier to recycle paper and reduce the number of trees needed for paper production.

Xylanase is an enzyme used to reduce the consumption of chlorine dioxide in the bleaching process, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals used and the associated costs. It has also been found to reduce AOX discharges by 5-20%, depending on the type of pulping process used. Lipases are used to control deposits of pitch, while cellulases improve the rates of dewatering of pulp and pectinases are used to digest pectins.

Lipase or resinase is used to avoid stickiness during paper making process to ensure smooth operation, and amylase is used for easy sizing or desizing of paper. 

Peroxidase enzymes are used in the pulp and paper industry to improve the quality of the end product. Laccase helps with delignification of pulp, which can replace current bleaching chemicals such as oxygen or ozone. Catalase is used to convert residual hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen, making the effluent ecologically harmless.

Enzymatic modification of fiber improves the surface and creates new fiber characteristics, making it easier to run the pulping, bleaching, and papermaking processes. Cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes are mixed with the paper pulp, hydrolyzing surface sugars in a controlled manner and releasing ink particles bound to the fiber. This eliminates the need for subsequent bleaching with hydrogen peroxide and reduces the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.

Enzymes have revolutionized the pulp and paper industry, offering a range of benefits that help reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process while improving the quality of the end product. The use of enzymes has become an integral part of the industry, and their importance is only set to grow in the coming years.

Sunson’s pulp & paper solution is able to reduce energy and water consumption, minimize the use of harmful chemicals, and enhance paper machine efficiency and quality. We seek to collaborate with industry players and customers to constantly develop new sustainable biological solutions to further improve the sustainability of the industry.