Abstract: Disclosed are methods for increasing the filler content of paper or paperboard, comprising (a) combining a heterogeneous polymer blend with a ground calcium carbonate filler; (b) combining the resulting mixture with a pulp slurry; and (c) processing the resulting slurry mixture to form a sheet of paper or paperboard. Also disclosed are methods of increasing the filler content of paper or paperboard comprising (1) combining either a heterogeneous polymer blend or a ground calcium carbonate filler with a pulp slurry, (2) combining the remaining component with the pulp slurry; and (c) processing the resulting pulp slurry mixture to form a sheet of paper or paperboard.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cellulase compositions useful as papermaking performance additives for improving paper dry strength of a paper product and reducing refining energy in papermaking processes, and improving paper production. These cellulase compositions are formulated using cellulase, papermaking contaminant control polymers, protein stabilizers and cellulase enhancers. These cellulase compositions measure higher in endo-cellulase activity with better stability than conventional cellulase, and have shown differentiating performance in improving paper dry strength properties versus cellulase alone.

Abstract: A method of improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. The addition of an associative polymer, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry to improve retention and drainage is disclosed. Additionally a method to improve retention and drainage comprising addition of an organic microparticle, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry is disclosed. A composition comprising an associative polymer, and a poly(vinylamine) and optionally further comprising cellulose fiber is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cellulase compositions useful as papermaking performance additives for improving paper dry strength of a paper product and reducing refining energy in papermaking processes, and improving paper production. These cellulase compositions are formulated using cellulase, papermaking contaminant control polymers, protein stabilizers and cellulase enhancers. These cellulase compositions measure higher in endo-cellulase activity with better stability than conventional cellulase, and have shown differentiating performance in improving paper dry strength properties versus cellulase alone.

Abstract: Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined.

Abstract: A stable aqueous composition comprising polyvinylamine and liquid cationic starch in a ratio of from 90 to 55 parts of polyvinylamine on active basis to 10 to 45 parts of liquid cationic starch on active basis is disclosed. The composition can be used in papermaking as a strength or as a drainage aid.

Abstract: A method of improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. The addition of an associative polymer, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry to improve retention and drainage is disclosed. Additionally a method to improve retention and drainage comprising addition of an organic microparticle, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry is disclosed. A composition comprising an associative polymer, and a poly(vinylamine) and optionally further comprising cellulose fiber is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) adding a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined.

Abstract: Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined.

Abstract: A stable aqueous composition comprising polyvinylamine and liquid cationic starch in a ratio of from 90 to 55 parts of polyvinylamine on active basis to 10 to 45 parts of liquid cationic starch on active basis is disclosed. The composition can be used in papermaking as a strength or as a drainage aid.

Abstract: Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) adding a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined.

Abstract: A papermaking method and a composition which utilize, as a drainage aid, a water-soluble cationic or amphoteric copolymer prepared via a water-in-oil polymerization technique that, absent a cross-linking agent, is characterized by a Huggins' constant (k?) determined in 0.01M NaCl greater than 0.3 and a storage modulus (G?) at 6.3 Hz greater than 50 Pa.

Abstract: A papermaking method and a composition which utilize, as a drainage aid, a water-soluble cationic or amphoteric copolymer prepared via a water-in-oil polymerization technique that, absent a cross-linking agent, is characterized by a Huggins' constant (k′) determined in 0.01 M NaCl greater than 0.3 and a storage modulus (G′) at 6.3 Hz greater than 50 Pa.

Abstract: A novel method of improving drainage rate and retention of fines which is effective in unfilled, newsprint-type furnish without a silica/bentonite-type particle is disclosed. The method comprises adding a cationic or amphoteric starch, and a cationic polyelectrolyte followed by the addition of a high molecular weight anionic polyacrylamide copolymer.

Abstract: A process for the deinking of wastepaper is disclosed. The process comprises administering a sufficient amount of a branched alcohol alkoxylate surfactant to a sample of waste paper for which treatment is desired. The surfactant is effective for the flotation of the ink.

Abstract: A method for dewatering deinking sludge utilizing a water soluble block copolymer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein E is a polymeric segment obtained from the polymerization of hydrophobic monomers, x when present is a nonionic monomer, y is a cationic monomer, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are H or a lower alkyl group from C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 and F is a salt of an ammonium cation. Preferably, the polymer contains from about 20 mole % to 35 mole % cationicity.

Abstract: A process and composition for deinking waste paper is disclosed. The process comprises administering a sufficient amount of a mixture containing (a) an alcohol, randomly alkoxylated with a mixture of alkylene oxides to form a surfactant, (b) a thiol ethoxylate surfactant, and (c) a secondary alcohol alkoxylate, to a sample of waste paper for which treatment is desired. The surfactant enhances the aggregation and densification of electrostatic toner particles, while promoting foaming in the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the retention on a washing/thickening device in an aqueous papermaking system. The method generally comprises adding to the furnish solids of the system an effective amount of a cationic polyacrylamide polymer.