Each year, people from all around the world consume tons of paper. It’s a fact that the production of pure, clean and bright paper isn’t as easy as it seems. It’s also pricey because most of the industries aren’t using eco-friendly way for paper production. To provide good quality, white, and vibrant printing, most paper factories use an ample supply of bleaching chemicals that are very toxic and detrimental to the atmosphere.
But on the other hand, microbial industrial enzymes have brought new way for the production of pulps and fibers. However, in the future, enzyme-based processes may contribute to much safer and more effective processing of pulp and paper. Besides, enzymes for industrial can also be used for improving fibers bonding and to alter fiber structures.
If we talk about industrial usage, then it may vary-
Different Industrial Enzymes and Their Uses in the Paper Industry
Deinking Enzymes
These are enzymesbased on Endo and Exo cellulase. For instance, Deinking enzymeshelp to enhance the brightness and reduce the amount of ink & dirt in the pulp. Besides, improving the removal of ink particles as well. The use of these effective industrial enzymes has lessened the use of standard deinking chemicals that were yet common in papermaking.
Refining Enzymes
The biocatalysts products are centered on and around the enzymes,Cellulase as well as Hemicellulase. Moreover, it helps in expanding of fibrillation and improves drainage. Similarly, it is used to decrease the amount of refining energy requisition for the pulping process as well.
Bleaching Enzymes
Bleaching products are based on Xylanase enzyme and effectively used in the bleaching of craft, soda, and sulfite pulp. It helps to enhance the lignin extraction due to losing fibre structure.
Starch Modification Enzymes
These are made up of amylase enzyme which assists effectively in the pressing process by supplying on-site alteration of native starch. It allows paper producers to monitor starch viscosity without complications and helps to bring considerable cost reductions during the production.
Pitch Control Enzyme
A pitch management catalyst manages press felt, pitch deposition on materials, and machine surfaces. It involves cutting down of the web breaks, and additional cleansing and avoiding highly precious downtime in production.
Major Industrial Perks of Using Enzymes
- It enhances the fibers to produce a more substantial paper.
- Bio-bleaching of pulp with enzymeshas several advantages like the reduction of chlorine consumption; pulp dewatering; deinking and removal of the pitch.
- Instead of spending money on the chemicals used for this process, enzymes for industrial usage can do a much better job.
- It also eliminates a few processing steps, which means less consumption of water.
- This weakens the pulp and makes the paper less durable.
- Recycled paper has to go through deinking in order to be suitable for consumption.
- These industrial enzymes would make the recycled paper more viable and reduce the demand for precious trees.
Final thoughts
In recent years, there has been seen an incredible rise in the production of new paper using wastepaper all across the global industries including the pulp and paper industries, which have become one of the major consumers of wood. It concludes that human requirements for paper lead to the cutting of more trees and waste accumulation, which constitutes a risk to global warming.
The usage of enzymesin the processing of recycled waste paper contributes a crucial role in the pulp and paper industries. For instance, enzymesfrom fungi or bacteria, such as Xylanase, cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase, laccase, lipase, and amylase can be used to re-shape industrial waste papers.
Ultimately enzymes for industrial purposes are proving eco-friendly way for paper production. Hence, it provides a significant way to reduce the strain of using toxic bleaching agents; that’s why more industries are focusing on the use of enzymes.