Enhancing Bulk and Absorbency of Tissue Paper Using Softwood Bleached Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulp

Authors

  • Yahui Lin School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China
  • Yulong Wang School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4080-5019
  • Yishan Kuang School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China
  • Benping Lin School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China
  • Defang Li School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China
  • Rui Yang School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, P.O. Box 410114, China
  • Hongjie Zhang National Engineering Lab for Pulp and Paper, China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing, P.O. Box 100102, China

Keywords:

BCTMP, Tissue paper, Bulk, Absorbency, Wet-end chemistry

Abstract

Softwood bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (SW-BCTMP) was added in tissue paper manufacturing, focusing on bulk, absorbency and strength performance. The SW-BCTMP exhibited high fines content (52.4%), elevated polymeric cationic demand (83.0 μeq·L⁻¹), and substantial zeta potential (-93.0 mV), which initially impaired both dynamic drainage performance and first-pass retention of pulp furnishes. The optimal application of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) was found to effectively reduce the cationic demand of pulp furnishes and enhance first-pass retention. The addition of 5.0 to 10.0% SW-BCTMP consistently enhanced the bulk, water absorbency, and air permeability of the handsheets. In the absence of polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin (PAE), dry strength was well maintained or even improved when substituting the bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP), despite a marginal decline upon replacing the bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP). However, in PAE-containing systems, a consistent reduction in both dry and wet strength was observed. This detrimental effect was more pronounced when the SW-BCTMP replaced BSKP in the furnishes, which can be attributed to the interference of the SW-BCTMP with the adsorption and effectiveness of the wet-strength resin. The SW-BCTMP showed potential for enhancing bulk and absorbency in tissue products, such as toilet paper, where wet strength agents are not used.

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Published

2026-01-15 — Updated on 2026-01-15

How to Cite

Lin, Y., Wang, Y., Kuang, Y., Lin, B., Li, D., Yang, R., & Zhang, H. (2026). Enhancing Bulk and Absorbency of Tissue Paper Using Softwood Bleached Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulp. BioResources, 21(1), 1957–1967. Retrieved from https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24991

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication