The paper and board industry in The Netherlands is leading in using recycled paper (up to 75% of fibre input). However, due to this recycling the quality of fibres decreases and the amount of fines and (an)organic compounds increases. This results in a decrease of production (decreased de-watering), lower efficiency of process and functional chemicals, and a decrease of the quality of the end product. This loss of fibre quality must be compensated. Results from recent research have shown that under laboratory conditions specific enzymes are able to modify fibres and fines in such a way that strength of paper can be increased, de-watering of pulp can be enhanced, and the efficiency of chemicals can be improved. 

The aim of the project is to gather knowledge about the behaviour and effect of enzymes under conditions like in the recycled paper and board industry. This information is basis to be able to decide whether enzymes can be used to develop further towards a technology to increase production capacity with a significant reduction in energy consumption, to decrease the use of virgin fibres, to lower the amount of process and functional chemicals, and to improve the efficiency of bleaching and de-inking.

Participants in this project are Wageningen UR Paper and Board, Kappa Roermond Papier, Mayr-Melnhof Eerbeek , The Competence Centre Paper and Board, Novozymes and Buckman Laboratories.For more information, see also the information leaflet Enzymatic Upgrading of Recycled Paper (only in Dutch).

Contact: Gülden Yilmaz