Technical use

 

 

The paper industry uses various types of starches at different stages of the manufacturing process for different purposes. Starch is the 3^rd most prevalent component by weight in papermaking, only surpassed by cellulose fiber and mineral pigments, which makes the paper industry one of the most important customers of the starch. 

 

Paper mills use starches from various sources, such as corn, potato, tapioca, and wheat. Usage depends on availability and economics in a given region. Tapioca starch from Thailand has very good properties that are highly desirable for the paper industry - strong film, clear paste, good water holding properties, stable viscosity, good binding power, low impurity etc.

 

The main application area for starch within the papermaking process are:

 

Furnish preparation prior to web formation – starch is used as a flocculating agent, retention aid, drainage aid, carrier for alkaline size, and to improve internal sheet strength.

 

Surface sizing – starch is used as an adhesive to bond vessel segments and loose fibers at the sheet surface, to enhance paper strength and stiffness and to improve dimensional stability and offset printability.

 

Coating – starch is used as a binder for fine pigments, which imparts smoothness and gloss for high quality printing.

 

Effluent treatment – starch is used as a cationic polymer in waste treatment to control the discharge of cellulose fiber, pigments, and other components of paper making furnish.

 

Conversion of paperboard to packaging Grades – starch is used as an adhesive for the manufacturing of multi-ply board and as glue for corrugation and laminating operations.

 

Starch is seldom used for papermaking in its native unmodified form except for its application in the corrugating industry. Modified starches according to specified process or function requirements are commonly used, which allows the enhancement of paper and paper board properties.