Abstract: A process for the production of paper by forming and dewatering a suspension of cellulose containing fibers and optional fillers on a wire in the presence of a cationic silica based sol and a cationic polymeric retention agent. The cationic polymeric retention agent is cationic guar gum or a cationic synthetic polymer such as cationic polyacrylamide. The combination of cationic silica sol and cationic polymer retention agent gives improved retention of fines and fillers and eases drainage.

Abstract: In making paper from an aqueous papermaking stock a binder comprising colloidal silicic acid and cationic starch is added to the stock for improving the paper or the retention of the stock components, or is added to the white water for reducing the pollution problems or recovering values from the white water.The cationic starch of the binder has a degree of substitution of not less than 0.01, and the weight ratio of cationic starch to SiO.sub.2 is between 1:1 and 25:1.

Abstract: A papermaking process in which an aqueous papermaking stock containing a cellulosic pulp is formed and dried. The stock includes a binder comprising colloidal silicic acid, and cationic starch which is added to the stock before the sheet is formed. The manner of addition involves first adding and intermixing in the stock a portion of the colloidal silicic acid and then the cationic starch and, after an agglomerate has formed, adding and intermixing the remainder of the colloidal silicic acid prior to the formation of the sheet. The method results in improved sheet properties and improved retention of filler and fines on the wire.