New Innovative Printing Paper grades

A majority of the Norwegian production of printing paper is low-price commodity products. The Norwegian paper industry is facing hard competition from low foreign labour costs and inexpensive fibres from fast-growing species. In order to stay competitive in the future, Norwegian paper industry must utilise the unique properties of the Norway spruce fibres for innovative value-added grades, combined with developing and utilising front-edge technology. The basic idea of this project proposal is to develop innovative printing paper grades through novel application of microfibrillated material produced from chemical and mechanical fibres on paper surfaces or within the paper structure. The project will be focused on the following main research challenges: - Production of microfibrillated material from sulphate fibres -Control of water content in microfibrillated material -Application of microfibrillated material within the paper structure -Application of microfibrils on the paper surface -Surface modificatio n through chemical modification of the microfibrillar cellulose -Strength enhancement without impaired drainage By this approach the project aim to generate two innovative demonstrator products showing a step-change in important quality factors for print ing paper grades. This project will be a co-operation between Norske Skogindustrier ASA, Södra Cell, PFI, SINTEF, STFI-PAckforsk AB and NTNU.