TCIRD

Stock Preparation & Papermaking

 

Scientific Achievements

 

  •  Implementation of enzymatically medified starch for surface sizing of paper:

 Enzymatically modified maize and tapioca starch gave equivalent surface properties to paper as compared to oxidised starch  in various paper mills for cost reduction.

  •  Optimization of alkaline sizing to reduce sizing cost (IPMA sponsored):  

 Sizing properties were more stable using agro residues as compared to hardwood even at low dosage of sizing agents with all  fillers.

  •  Development of high ash paper to reduce fiber input as well as cost (IPMA sponsored):

 Split addition of dry strength additives to filler and wet end was beneficial to increase ash in paper without affecting strengh  properties of different furnishes.

  •  Development of alkaline sizing process in laboratory using ASA:

 The porcess for ASA emulsification was established in lab resulting in lower amount of cationic starch.

  •  Development of suitable indigenous cationic starch for ASA emulsion:

 Developed the process for ASA emulsification using indigenous starches to reduce sizing cost.

  •  Development of highly opaque paper using various fillers alone and in combination with extenders:

 Significant increase in opacity of paper could be achieved with filler extenders in combination with talc.

  •  Efficacy of optical whitening agent and tinting dyes to achieve target optical properties of different pulps:
  •  The superior brightness and whiteness in different grades of paper was achieved through selective use of OBA with cost  effectiveness.
  •  Studies on ink feathering in writing and printing paper:

  ASA sizing was found much better than AKD sizing as the former provided no ink feathering in paper even at very high  Cobb60 values and ash laves.

  •  Estimation of bound and unbound ASA in alkaline ASA sized papers ( BILT sponsored):

 Quantitative analysis of bound and unbound ASA was done. Bound portion was less than unbound portion of ASA with fiber.

  •  Fiber modification with enzymes (IPMA sponsored):

 Reduction in refining energy and improvement in drainage was achieved by enzymatic pretreatment of pulp.

 

Current Research Projects

 

    •  Achievement of highest brightness and whiteness in paper in a cost effective manner through selective addition of OWA at   wet end and size press