The key to running a successful pulp and paper plant is to minimise costs without compromising production quality or quantity. Reclaiming “whitewater” is one of the best ways to do this. Roughly 30% of pulp stock ends up as whitewater.

A modern pulp and paper plant can use vast amounts of fresh water to produce one tonne of paper. It is imperative that plants recycle as much whitewater as possible. Many paper plants are forced to find water from a variety of sources - reclamation, rivers, streams…..etc. This creates a high demand for microbial control and sanitation. Chlorine dioxide provides a fast and effective solution.

Implementation of cleaner production processes and pollution prevention measures will yield both economic and environmental benefits.

Chlorine dioxide has been used in the pulp and paper industry since the mid 1940’s.

Chlorine dioxide has been called the “ideal biocide” . It has a far greater efficacy than traditional products such as chlorine.

The latest catalytic technology offers continuous, effective and straightforward production of chlorine dioxide, which can be delivered to a multitude of locations within the pulp and paper production process. This is the most efficient and cost effective treatment available.

Organic Pollution, Suspended Solids and Effluent

The most common organic pollutants in effluents are lost cellulose fibres, carbohydrate, starch and hemi-cellulose (or the organic acids resulting from their breakdown).

The levels of these pollutants are measured by the B.O.D. (Biological Oxygen Demand) or C.O.D. (Chemical Oxygen Demand). C.O.D. discharges can typically range from 25 to 125 kilos per tonne of pulp.

The oxygen demand of effluent pollutants depletes the amount of oxygen that is available to flora and fauna, thus damaging wildlife near to and downstream from effluent discharges.

Pulp and Paper companies, together with chemical suppliers in North America have worked together to improve production practices and prevent further emissions of unwanted by-products. This has been successful because of the increased use of chlorine dioxide.

Chlorine dioxide bleaching has been so successful that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) state that chlorine dioxide is the “Best Available Technology”.

In fact, according to the EPA, chlorine dioxide can “virtually eliminate all dioxin discharges to rivers and other surface waters”. In over 90% of US mills, effluent dioxin levels are so low that they cannot be detected.

Benefits of chlorine dioxide within the pulp and paper industry include;