Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Applications of Lignocellulose Biotechnology
in the Pulp and Papermaking Industry
Abstract
The high-energy consumption and environmental pollution caused by
traditional mechanical and chemical pulp impels the papermaker to attempt new
clean pulping methods. Biopulping has gained the attention of many researchers
because it is friendly to the environment. The application of biotechnology in the
pulp and papermaking industry not only can improve the pulping properties and
slurry ability but also can fundamentally improve the quality of the ecological
environment by mitigating or reducing pollutants. This chapter elaborates the
biotechnology application of natural lignocellulose in the pulp and paper industry
from four aspects: biopulping, biobleaching, enzymatic deinking, and others.
Keywords
Pulp
and
papermaking
industry
•
Biopulping
•
Biobleaching
•
Modification of papermaking materials
8.1
Introduction
The application history of biotechnology can be traced to the period of ancient
civilization, at the time that fermentation technology was used in the food and
drink industry. Biotechnology in the pulp and papermaking industry is not new. For
example, the anaerobic and aerobic wastewater treatment and fermentation of sulfite
pulp liquor have been used for many years. Recently, with the rapid development of
biotechnology in other fields, application of biotechnology achieved considerable
progress in the pulp and papermaking industry. In addition, the papermaking
industry needs a new technology that has less environmental pollution and more
economic benefits. Thus, it promotes the new development of biotechnology in
the pulp and papermaking process. Most of these new biotechnologies are still in
the research stage, but some have realized industrial application. The developing
biotechnology, if successful, will have far-reaching effects on future pulp and
papermaking technologies [
1
,
2
].
