Effect of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Soy Protein on Properties of Writing and Printing Recycled Pulp

Recycling necessity of different paper and board grades is clear from various points of view which is accompanied with huge value addition, especially in writing and printing papers. Mineral filler applicability and its more usage in papermaking are increasingly focused and for recycled pulp, include binary advantages, which have recently researched. The characteristics of recycled fiber and interest in fillers, made the application of dry strength additives inevitable that natural and economical adhesives for this purpose are always seeking. In these regards, effects of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and Soy Protein (SP) on recycled pulp from writing and printing waste papers were investigated. SEM micrographs proved PCC retention which is compatible with the paper Ash results, but ash percentage declined by filler more addition. SP improved initially filler retention originated from the recycled pulp and also the PCC retention. Preservation of the initially filler caused higher total retention in the presence of SP and the same effect is reportable in simultaneously utilization of PCC and SP compared to the SP absence. So, the recycled pulp total retention decreased meaningful in lack of SP. Polymeric and various functional groups in the SP biopolymer could be attributed for these results. SP employment improved freeness (CSF) of the recycled pulp up to 8% and was observed in the highest premixing of SP/PCC (15%). Replacing of recycled fibers by PCC also improved freeness, meaningful. The freeness results were proved by drainage time of the pulp in handsheet maker. PCC application in the all studied levels (10, 12, 15%) and its premixing by SP reduced the paper water absorbency, unmeaningful. However, the paper tensile index declined by PCC and SP consumption.