Comparison of the Effect of Using Cellulose Nanofibers and Cationic Starch instead of Refining on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Manufacture Paper from OCC pulp

The use of old corrugated container (OCC) is considered an effective solution by the paper industries in paper and paperboard productions bearing environmental and economic reasons. The strength properties of pulp made from recycled paper is weaker than the original pulp for various reasons, such as hornification. Therefore, various methods as adding strength enhancing materials and mechanical treatments are used to improve the quality of them. Because of little amount of production, many of the paper recyclers have limitation in investment of using mechanical treatments (refiners) in their production line. In this research, using cationic starch and cellulose nanofibers(CNF) was investigated as strengthen additives and as an alternative for mechanical refining in the paper and paperboard production from OCC. In this study, cationic starch in one level (2%) and cellulose nanofibers in 3 levels (2, 4, 6%) were used and compared to control (refined and non-refined) samples. Results showed that 2% CS and 4% CNF improved the tensile and burst indices same as or more than refining of pulp, while the pulp dewatering time and paper density were equal. Therefore, the aforementioned conditions are recommended as a substitute for refining in small units of waste paper recycling for paper and paperboard production.