Mid Sweden University

A key issue in papermaking is to understand how to improve strength without losing other important quality measures, like paper bulk. This must of course also be done in a cost efficient way. The trials described in this paper show some different aspects related to the replacement of the expensive anionic component CMC (carboxymethylcellulose) often used in Layer-by-Layer technology together with cationic starch in order to improve strength properties as z-strength and tensile strength of typical chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) often used as dominating component in industrial scale paper board production. The replacement for CMC investigated here is a MFC (micro-fibrillated cellulose) as the anionic component and paper sheets has been produced on an experimental paper machine at MoRe Research AB. This MFC is a commercially available product and it has not been treated in ways of increasing charge density. The trials were performed at a small pilot scale experimental paper machine (XPM) at MoRe Research in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. This XPM is equipped with a unique setup to perform Layer-by-Layer-tests under very well controlled conditions. The general conclusion is that it could, with further developments, be feasible to replace CMC with MFC to improve bonding in typical CTMP based paper sheets.