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Dissolving Pulp: A Key Ingredient in Textile and Specialty Cellulose Products
Production Process
Dissolving pulp is produced through a different pulping process than
traditional paper pulp. The goal is to extract the cellulose fibers in as pure
a form as possible without any lignin residues. This is typically done through
a chemical pulping process using hydroxide solutions known as the sulfate or
kraft process.
Wood chips are cooked in a pressurized vessel with a strong sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) solution called white liquor. This separates
the cellulose fibers from the lignin bonding them together. The liquor is then
drained and the resulting pulp washed to remove residual chemicals and
impurities. The pulp is screened and processed further to remove any remaining
lignin fragments or other residuals.
Properties and Uses
The end goal of this production method is cellulose fibers free of lignin,
hemicellulose and other compounds. This makes the Dissolving
Pulp highly pure and dissolved more easily than traditional paper pulp.
Its main properties are:
- High alpha-cellulose content above 90% providing maximum dissolution
- Low knot content and fibrillation for optimum spinning characteristics
- Minimal ash and residual metal content that could impact downstream
applications
This high purity dissolving pulp finds major uses in the textiles and specialty
cellulose industries where it can be chemically transformed. Some key
applications include:
- Viscose Rayon - The pulp is dissolved and extruded to produce regenerated
cellulose fibers for clothing, fabrics and other textile products. Viscose is a
major end use representing over 50% of global dissolving pulp .
- Cellulose Ethers and Esters - Dissolving pulp reacts with chemicals to
produce cellulose derivatives like carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), methyl
cellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) used as thickeners,
stabilizers and emulsifiers in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
- Specialty Papers - High alpha dissolving pulp plays a key role in the
production of cigarette filters, banknotes and technical applications requiring
optical brightening properties.
Global s
The global for dissolving pulp has grown
steadily in recent years driven by increasing textile and regenerated fiber in Asia. China is by far the largest viscoseproducer and consumer of dissolving pulp globally. Other major s are in Asia aswell as Western Europe and North America.
Some key characteristics of the dissolving pulp include:
- Production centered in Northern Hemisphere - Major suppliers are located in
Canada, Northern Europe and Brazil able to produce from low lignin wood species
like eucalyptus and birch.
- Oligopolistic supply - Top global players including Borregaard, Sappi,
Rayonier Advanced Materials and Bracell collectively control over 50% of
capacity. Smaller regional players also exist.
- Supply constraints - Limited wood species availability, environmental
regulations and long lead times to construct sizable production lines have
tightened supply at times when rebounds.
This leads to price volatility.
- from textiles - Over half of pulp is for viscose production supplied to huge
textile industries in Asia, particularly China. therefore tracks growth in the apparel sector.
- Substitution risks - Dissolving pulp competes with other fiber sources like
cotton and alternatives like modal and lyocell which use different production
methods that may displace viscose in future.
Outlook
Looking ahead, most analysts project continued growth in global dissolving pulp
of 2-4% annually through 2030. Rapid
expansion of the middle class and textile consumption particularly in Asia is
expected to be a long-term driver. Supply is seen gradually catching up as
producers expand and debottleneck existing sites.
Prices should remain strong supported by fundamentals and tight capacity. However,
increased competition from alternative man-made cellulosic fibers and potential
overcapacity could pose risks in the medium-term. Overall, dissolving pulp is
forecast to retain its importance as a base raw material for the large and
growing textile and specialty chemicals sectors worldwide.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold
in the research . She specializes in
writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and
beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc.
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