Novel Synthetic Silicate Nano-Fibres and Nano Carbonates - A New Approach for Newsprint, Paper and Board

摘要

The newsprint industry in India is facing multiple challenges such as escalating costs and fiber shortages. Also, the newsprint industry is facing additional pressures from digital media, depressed worldwide pricing and lower cost, higher quality imported newsprint. There is an acute need to introduce innovation to meet these industry challenges. Our approach at GR Technologies has been to develop and commercialize novel and unique synthetic silicate nano-fibers, and Super Precipitated Calcium Carbonates fillers. These synthetic products, when added to wet-end furnishes and/or applied to paper & newsprint surfaces, would help reduce manufacturing costs, improve product quality, and reduce carbon footprint. This paper will discuss the characteristics of unique synthetic silicate nano-fibers and super precipitated calcium carbonates. Several case studies will be presented involving wet-end and size press applications of these materials to newsprint paper will also be provided. These products have been shown to simultaneously improve bulk, stiffness, tear, and optical properties of newsprint when added to the wet-end. When used as a part of a size-press formula, these products have been shown to significantly improve the brightness, opacity, print quality, and strength of newsprint grade papers. Finally, several economic benefits using these products and technologies in the newsprint industry will be presented. The estimated benefits to a newsprint mill are between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3000 per ton of newsprint.