Recycled fibers

Recycled fibers
Almost all types of re-claimed paper contain a wide variety of potential system "contaminants." One of the most important chemical processes involved in waste-paper preparation for high-quality grades is the removal of ink and other substances. The de-inking process accounts for most of the chemical use in recycling.

Eka Chemicals provides a wide range of products and services for pulp and paper mills using recycled fiber. Our process know-how helps you produce pulp with high brightness, low brightness reversion and high strength while maintaining high yield and operational efficiency.

Improving brightness
The brightness of the de-inked fibers may be further improved by bleaching. In the case of hydrogen peroxide, silicates and chelating agents are usually necessary in order to inactivate metal ions, which are almost always present in waste and which would otherwise be able to decompose the peroxide catalytically.

Effects of recycling
Recycling can have a significant effect on sizing performance. Higher levels of fines, contaminants and chemical carryover will increase the amount of size required. Silicates, used as a stabilizer in hydrogen peroxide bleaching, can have detrimental effects on retention and clarification when carried over to the paper machine.

When handling recycled fibers, it is important to know enough about the chemical additives and fillers that are likely to be found in recycled paper, and to determine how these may react with present additives or other chemicals being used. Eka Chemicals is an expert in these complicated interactions.