Historically, both inorganic adsorbents such as talc and organic dispersants have been used for pitch prevention. These treatment programs work efficiently to reduce high levels of pulp contamination, which would otherwise result in a decrease in sales prices, reprocessing costs, and, ultimately, customer complaints.
As long as people have been making paper from trees, pulp manufacturers have struggled to eliminate pitch. Pitch is a complex organic colloidal contamination released during the pulp production process and can contain resin acids, fatty acids, triglyceride fats, steryl esters, sitosterols and other unsaponifiable materials. Pitch can vary in amount, tackiness, and composition, and poses a major challenge for pulp manufacturers, as it can agglomerate and its sticky nature causes production and quality issues.
Fortunately, Archroma’s R&D team made a breakthrough when they found an alternative to the use of talc for pitch prevention. The recently launched Cartaspers® PLH liquid is a novel treatment that offers many benefits talc cannot. It is very effective in attracting non-polar (hydrophobic) substances, such as natural pitch and stickies, and helps to passivate contamination as well as prevent agglomeration and deposition. Cartaspers® PLH liquid makes use of a new mechanism that has no impact on cellulosic material, and as it is a liquid solution, it is much easier to handle than powder-like talc. It performs well across all water hardness levels, including soft water, and complies with both BfR and FDA food contact regulations. Furthermore, it leads to a significant reduction in downtime, which can enable higher yields with a reduced need for cleaning agents.
Stay away from bad publicity – Choose a talc-free alternative for pitch control.
Without chemistry we wouldn’t have packaging at all — sustainable or otherwise. Yet, the role of chemistry in packaging is often unacknowledged, even by seasoned packaging professionals. This article explores the role of chemistry, both as an integral part of every package, and as the driving force behind true circularity in this sector.
The paperization trend in modern packaging has many drivers: regulatory developments, growing environmental awareness, changing consumer sentiment — all these, and more, contribute to its increasing relevance. Fully realizing its potential involves overcoming multiple practical challenges, and packaging producers need partners who understand what happens at every step of the value chain loop.
Every year on March 22, people worldwide mark World Water Day: a time to celebrate water and take action on the global water crisis. This year, the date also coincides with Earth Hour, when millions switch off lights and pledge an hour of their time to the planet.
SDG Flag Day is observed on September 25, we connected with Martina Beitke, Group Sustainability Director at Archroma, to learn about the goals’ relevance to our company and customers and then asked leaders championing pivotal goals for their perspective.
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