Modification of softwood kraft pulp by the addition of either polysulfide (PS) or sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been shown to increase pulp yield due to a higher retention of hemicellulose. The modified pulps showed higher tensile index, especially at low refining energy. It was also shown that improved porosity of could be achieved, increased swelling potential and increase joint strength leading to increased tensile index at similar refining energy. The increased swelling potential associated with higher hemicellulose content could also make dewatering more challenge because of the higher water retention. But recent studies showed that the positive influence of increased yield, resulting in fewer fibers at same basis weight, dominates over the negative influence of the higher swelling potential so that the net effect is improved dewatering. Studies simulating full-scale tissue dewatering conditions showed that pulps with higher hemicellulose content had a higher tensile index at the same dryness which was achieved in a shorter dwell-time. A given tensile index was also achieved with less refining energy. Therefore modification of the kraft pulping process is a way to give high quality fibers for tissue paper production with less refining energy and lower drying energy costs.