Abstract: The present invention relates to water soluble radiation activatable polymer resin formulations which are suitable to modify the absorption properties of fibrous materials and the polymer obtained by such radiation activatable polymer resins and the method of preparing such polymer. Fibrous materials made with radiation activatable resin formulations according to this invention are especially suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: Floor covering, consisting of hard panels, with a laminated structure, whereby at least at the upper surface a printed decorative layer with a wood pattern is present, with thereupon a transparent layer of synthetic material in which impressions are formed, wherein the impressions substantially follow the wood pattern.

Abstract: A formulation, and a process for making same, is disclosed which is useful as a coating or treatment for imparting oil and grease resistance to an underlying substrate. The formulation does not contain any fluorochemicals. At the same time, however, the formulation provides oil and grease resistance properties that are equivalent to known coatings and treatments which contain fluorochemicals, particularly those coatings which are permitted to come into direct contact with food products. Therefore, the formulation of the present invention is ideal for use as a coating for paper and paperboard, including paper packaging such as that utilized in food wrappers, food containers, food receptacles and the like, and for other shaped articles. The formulation is also useful as a coating or treatment for providing release properties to an underlying substrate without the use of silicone.

Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web is disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.

Abstract: Paper coating slips whose additives comprise addition polymers or copolymers containing N-vinylformamide in (co)polymerized form, and their use.

Abstract: A paper product is described that includes a paper substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a coating layer provided on the first surface of the paper substrate, the coating layer comprising a binder component and a pigment component, wherein the weight ratio the binder component to the pigment component is between about 0.25:1 to about 1:1; and wherein the paper product exhibits a gloss of at least about 20 to 75 according to TAPPI T480 om-92, a Print-surf roughness of at least about 0.5 to 2.5 according to TAPPI T555 pm-94, and a density of at least about 12 to 18 according to TAPPI T410 om-93 and TAPPI T411 om-89. A method for manufacturing a paper product is provided.

Abstract: A nanoparticle barrier-coated substrate is prepared by mixing pigment nanoparticles, a binder and a liquid carrier to form a coating solution, applying the coating solution onto the substrate and drying the coating solution to form the barrier coating on the substrate. The pigment nanoparticles can be chosen from talc, calcium carbonate, clay, silica and plastic and the substrate can be a cellulosic material or an inorganic material. If the substrate is initially provided with large pores, a precoating can be applied to the substrate prior to the application of the pigment nanoparticles thereto.

Abstract: A stock size intended to be added as a solution to the pulp stock in connection with the manufacture of paper or board in order to improve the characteristics of the paper or board, e.g.), to reduce the absorption of liquids, to increase the dry strength and wet strength. The stock size contains a polymer, which is based on styrene maleic acid and stabilised with a polysaccharide, such as cationic starch. The stock size is advantageously prepared in a steam jet cooker. The stock size is suitably used as a stock size in the manufacturing of liquid packaging board.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on a surface of a substrate having a surface finish defined by a gloss, the method comprising: printing an image on the surface of the substrate, such that image areas thereof have a thickness, when fixed to the substrate and dry, of less than about 6 micrometers of a thermoplastic material; and smoothing the surface of at least a portion of the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of transparentizing a paper substrate to produce a translucent area or “window” through which information and data are displayed. The method of the invention applies a transparentizing material to a preselected application site of the paper substrate, and exposes the transparentizing material to heat for a predetermined period of time to help facilitate penetration of the transparentizing material into the paper substrate and prevent migration of the transparentizing material from the application site. The rate of penetration of the transparentizing material into the paper substrate reduces the time and increases the efficiency of the transparentizing process. The invention also provides a paper substrate and a one-piece paper assembly in which a translucent area or “window” is formed according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A system and a method for coating two sides of a laminate material is disclosed in which one side of the laminate material is coated with one substance and the second side is coated with a different substance. The method described is particularly suited for applying a substance providing balancing characteristics desirable in the end product to one side of the laminate material and applying a substance providing other characteristics desirable in the end product to the other side of the laminate material. For example, a balancing substance may be applied on one side of a kraft paper sheet and a substance providing structural bonding applied to the other side, thereby eliminating the need to use a discrete balancing sheet in a laminate. The kraft sheet thus coated may be used to form a laminate panel.

Abstract: A non-fluorocarbon oil and grease barrier packaging for storing materials, particularly products that need oil and grease resistant characteristics. The barrier packaging does not contain fluorocarbons, which improves the environmental rating of the oil and grease barrier packaging. The packaging is made by applying an acrylate based overprint varnish to a substrate and then curing the overprint varnish with a curable energy source, which regulates a cross-link density of the overprint varnish. Application can be flexography, rotogravure, or either rod or blade coated. The overprint varnish possesses oil and grease resistant characteristics, which allows packaging producers to forego use of oil and grease resistant coated substrates in their packaging manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Structured polyolefin coated substrates and processes for making the same are disclosed. A chill roll is used to impart a plurality of peaks which protrude outwardly from the polyolefin coating of the structured substrate. In addition, the chill roll surface is treated to impart a matte finish and thus to transfer a matte finish to the area surrounding the peaks of the polyolefin coating.

Abstract: A method comprising: (I) providing a composition; (II) applying the composition to a paper substrate; and (III) forming a paper coating on the paper substrate; wherein the composition comprises a blend of polymers, wherein the blend of polymers comprises a vinyl aromatic-acrylic polymer and a vinyl aromatic-diene polymer, wherein the vinyl aromatic-acrylic polymer comprises a reaction product of vinyl aromatic and an alkyl (meth)acrylate, and the vinyl aromatic-diene polymer comprises a reaction product of vinyl aromatic and a conjugated diene, wherein, based on a solids weight of all polymers in the blend of polymers, the vinyl aromatic-acrylic polymer is present in the blend of polymers in an amount from 50% to about 95% and the vinyl aromatic-diene polymer is present in an amount from about 5% to 50%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a high gloss coating on a printed surface. In the present method, an aqueous coating composition is deposited onto a surface to be printed using a blanket roller coating face which is a low energy, non-stick, smooth surface profile. In the present method, simultaneous with the deposition of aqueous coating onto a substrate, or shortly thereafter, pressure either alone or in combination with heat may be applied to the coating in order to create a substantially tack-free surface conforming to the surface of the coating face. By using a highly polished coating face, high gloss coatings may be readily obtained using this methodology in a number of traditional printing techniques including wet trap inline sheet-fed printing, heat-set offset printing, dry trap inline flexographic printing, offset web-fed printing and gravure printing.

Abstract: A new foam coated nonwoven fibrous mat having properties particularly suited for a facer on gypsum wallboard, laminates made therefrom and the method of making the mat is disclosed. The mat preferably contains a major portion of glass fibers and a minor portion of a resinous binder. The foam coating is permeable and reduces fiber dust and abrasion experienced in the past with relatively coarse, relatively inexpensive glass fibers in the mat. Contrary to previous methods, the foam coated fibrous mat is made in-line on a wet mat forming production line by applying a wet foam binder onto a wet, fibrous web followed by drying and curing in-line.

Abstract: Surface finishing of paper or board by applying an aqueous solution (LW) of a surface-finishing active ingredient (W) to a hydrophilic paper or board sheet (B), in which (W) consists of (W1) polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight {overscore (M)}W of >1500 and optionally at least one further additive which is a further finishing additive and/or a formulation additive, and the paper or board sheet surface-treated with (LW) is fed through snoothing rolls and dried, the surface-finished paper and surface-finished board (BW) produced, surface finishing agent for this purpose, and the use of the surface-finished paper or board as substrate for graphic processing.

Abstract: The present invention is a thickened dye composition and method of applying same to a paper web that produces colored or patterned paper having good bleed resistance. The dye composition of the invention includes a binder; a dye; a thickener selected from the group consising of polyvinylpyrrlidone homopolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, and mixtures thereof; and water. The present invention also includes colored or patterned papers prepared using this conposition.

Abstract: Print paper for ink printing and method for producing and using the same is provided. The ink print paper includes a cationic dispersion polymer including nonionic monomers and cationic monomers. The cationic monomers at least include an effective amount of hydrophobic cationic monomers such that the cationic dispersion polymer effectively forms a film layer on a surface of the ink print paper to enhance ink print quality.

Abstract: A flame retardant adhesive tissue paper for fabricating moldable structures, particularly suitable for forming laminates for the interior of automobiles is provided. The flame retardant adhesive tissue is prepared by screen printing an aqueous paste dispersion including a flame retardant and thermoplastic adhesive dispersed therein in discontinuous pattern onto one surface of the paper. After removal of water, the drying temperatures is increased to activate the thermoplastic adhesive to adhere to the surface of the tissue with the flame retardants solids dispersed within the interior of the tissue paper. The adhesive coated tissue paper has good acoustic properties and imparts flame retardancy to a laminate including it.

Abstract: Waxes prepared from hydrogenated plant oils, such as palm and soybean, are used to render cellulosic materials resistant to water. Unlike cellulosic materials rendered water resistant with waxes obtained using petroleum-derived or synthetic waxes, the water resistant cellulosic materials prepared using this composition are recyclable using conventional paper recycling methods; the composition is dispersible in warm water solutions. Such water resistant materials are characterized by enhanced moisture barrier properties. The compositions have a low iodine value (between 2-5), and melting points between approximately 120-165 degrees F. (Mettler Drop Point). The wax comprises a triglyceride whose fatty acids are predominantly stearic acid (C18). The composition is used as an additive in the manufacture of wax coated boxes and adhesive compounds used in boxboard packaging and manufacturing operations.

Abstract: Method of selectively removing volatile components from a composition, comprising coating the composition onto a first substrate surface of a substrate, wherein the composition comprises a nonresident volatile component and a resident volatile component. The method further includes positioning at least a portion of the coated substrate between a condensing surface having a condensing surface temperature and a heating surface having a heating surface temperature that is greater than the condensing surface temperature, wherein the condensing surface is in a spaced apart, confronting relationship to the coated surface of the substrate and wherein the heated surface is in thermal contact with a second substrate surface opposite the first substrate surface. In the method, the heated surface temperature and the condensing surface temperature are such that the positioning step causes the nonresident volatile component to be selectively removed from the portion of the coated substrate.

Abstract: Process for the continuous coating of a strip of paper or of a textile support using a silicone composition, comprising at least one POS A containing SiVi or SiOR groups, a POS B containing SiH groups and a catalyst C (for hydrosilylation or for dehydrogeno-condensation) and not corresponding to an LTC/FC silicone system, the said process comprising the following steps: step 1 in which conditions for homogeneously mixing the constituents A, B and C are used such that the homogeneity obtained is reflected by a DSC signature comprising a Gaussian peak for which the peak end temperature T3 is in the range from a value above 110° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: An aqueous composition suitable for use, when dry, as an improved coating is provided including an aqueous emulsion polymer, the polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from greater than 20° C. to 80° C., formed by the free radical polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic acrylic monomer and 0-7.5%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer in the presence of 0.01-1.0%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymer, t-alkyl hydroperoxide, t-alkyl peroxide, or t-alkyl perester wherein the t-alkyl group includes at least 5 Carbon atoms and, optionally, at least one other oxidant. A method of preparing the emulsion polymer, a method for providing a coated substrate wherein the coating contains the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C., and a method for improving the scrub resistance of a coating by including the emulsion polymer having a Tg from −20° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of an alkylhydroxyalkyl cellulose, which has alkyl groups having 1-3 carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl groups having 2-3 carbon atoms, is free from hydrophobically modifying alkyl groups having at least 4 carbon atoms and has a turbidity point of 50-95° C. The amount of carboxymethyl cellulose constitutes up to 1200 percent by weight of the amount of alkylhydroxyalkyl cellulose. An aqueous coating composition containing a combination of alkylhydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose is also described.

Abstract: A cast coated printing sheet providing high paper gloss and smoothness, desirable printing performance characteristics, and enhanced printed product attributes. The cast coated sheet comprises a substrate and a brushed coating layer comprising (a) a pigment, (b) a functionally effective amount of latex such that a dried unbrushed layer of the coating will not adhere sufficiently to the casting surface to allow the unbrushed layer to be cast, and (c) a functionally effective amount of brushing agent such that damage to the coating layer surface during brushing is minimized. The invention further provides methods for manufacturing such cast coated printing sheets.

Abstract: An inkjet recording sheet comprising a support and, on a surface of the support, a colorant-receiving layer formed by applying a first coating liquid, adding a second coating liquid, after application of the first coating liquid and before the same shows a decreasing rate of drying, and thereafter hardening and drying the coat layer to form a porous structure. The first coating liquid has a pH value of 5 or lower, and is obtained by adding a solution which includes polyvinyl alcohol, a nonionic surfactant and/or amphoteric surfactant and a high boiling point organic solvent, to a dispersion including a cationic resin and vapor-phase-process silica having a specific surface area of at least 200 m2/g as measured by the BET method. The second coating liquid has a pH value of 8.5 or higher and includes a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking the polyvinyl alcohol, an organic mordant and a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for topical application of compositions containing a chemical additive onto a paper web. The present invention is also directed to paper products formed from the method. In general, the method includes the steps of applying a composition containing a chemical additive onto a first side of a paper web. The paper web is then wound into a roll. During winding, a portion of the composition transfers from the first side of the web to the second side of the web. Thus, both sides of the web become treated with the composition through a single application of the composition to the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a conductive composite material, consisting of performing at least one cycle of deposition comprising the following steps: (a) putting an insulating porous substrate (1) in contact with a solution of a conductive polymer such as polyaniline in a volatile organic solvent such as trifluoroacetic acid, and (b) eliminating the organic solvent by evaporation, for forming a deposit of conductive polymer (5) in the pores (3) of the porous substrate.

Abstract: A high quality ink jet recording medium is formed of a dimensionally stable absorbent paper base sheet and a coating that is primarily a reaction product of polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid. The reaction product has molecule bonds that are principally polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid-polyvinyl alcohol bonds which, when applied to the substrate, form a three-dimensional sieve or screen-like coating facilitating penetration to the absorbent base-sheet of ink carrier vehicle and holding out on the sieve or screen the ink pigments and colorants. The coating facilitates manufacture of a high quality recording medium of exceptionally low cost, ideally suited for high-speed multicolor ink jet printing in continuous web form. Methods of making the coating and the medium are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and assembly for supporting a web (1) during the postprocessing of a web of paper or board, in which method the web is passed from a preceding device to at least one next downstream located web treatment device (4) wherein to at least one side of the web (1) is applied a treatment agent causing wetting of said side of said web, and the web (1) exiting said web treatment device is passed to at least one dryer means (8). The web (1) is contactingly supported in a continuous and unbroken manner at least from said web treatment device (4) to said dryer means (8). Advantageously, the web (1) is dried by means of at least one dryer (3) before taking the web to the web treatment device (4), and the web is contactingly supported in a continuous and unbroken manner at least from said dryer means (3) preceding said web treatment device (4) to said dryer means (8) located downstream next to said web treatment device.

Abstract: The invention provides cross-linkable polymer powder compositions containing a) at least one water-soluble polyhydroxy compound; b) at least one boric acid complex compound which is of limited solubility in water that is, it has a water solubility of less than 10 g per liter at normal conditions; and optionally c) a water-soluble film-forming polymer consisting of one or more free-radical polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The compositions are useful as a constituent in adhesives, plaster, jointing mortars, paints and binders for coating compositions, textiles, paper and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fabricating a coating layer (8) and a portable support (1) provided with such layer, comprising a support body (3) provided on one of its sides (4) with said coating layer (8). The process of the invention is characterized in that, for the fabrication of the coating layer (8), a transient thermoplastic layer (17) is cross-linked so as to make it thermosettable. The invention applies particularly to the fabrication of chip based cards.

Abstract: An aqueous amino resin blend comprises aliphatic linear, branched or cyclic amines A containing at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amino group, at least one hydroxyl group and 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and amino resins B, and is used as an impregnating resin in the production of finished foils and edgings.

Abstract: A surface-sized paper web is made by supplying pulp from a headbox (100) where additives and/or fillers and/or fines are admixed into the pulp, to the wire section (200), where water is removed. The web is guided from the wire section (200), to the press section (300), the front drying section (400), is surface-coated in the coating section (500) dried in the post-drying section (600), and reeled by a reeler (800). In the headbox (100) starch and optionally hydrofobic size are admixed or layered into the pulp, so that on at least one side of the web an essentially dense surface is formed, on which in surface-coating a coating paste is spread out, which has a high dry matter content, whereby a bond is achieved in direction z inside the web in between the base paper and the surface-coating layer spread out on the surface.

Abstract: A composite sheet including a paper layer made of a wood pulp having a Canadian standard freeness value of 350 to 500 ml and a transmittance of at least 7% for a light with a wavelength of 940 to 960 nm, a transparency improving layer provided over one side of the paper layer so that said paper layer overlaid with said transparency improving layer exhibits a transmittance of at least 11% for a light with a wavelength of 940 to 960 nm, and a release liner provided over an opposite surface of the transparency improving layer from the paper layer. A thermosensitive recording adhesive label sheet has the above composite sheet and a thermosensitive recording sheet provided on the composite sheet through an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method for applying a foam composition to a paper web is provided. Specifically, a paper web is initially formed from papermaking fibers and is carried by a first moving papermaking surface so that a first surface of the paper web faces the first moving papermaking surface (e.g., fabric). A foam composition is deposited onto a second moving papermaking surface (e.g., fabric). The second moving papermaking surface is positioned adjacent to the first moving papermaking surface so that a second surface of the paper web faces the second moving papermaking surface. As a result, at least a portion of the foam composition is transferred to the paper web.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are provided methods for affixing a transparent coating upon a substrate, such as canvas, paper, cardboard or the like, that optionally has an image printed or otherwise recorded thereon, the coating effective to repel water and to prevent smearing or running of inks that are not water-fast, such as, for example, water-based inks used in ink-jet printers. In accordance with the invention, a coating composition including a particulate thermoplastic resin a plasticizer and, optionally, one or more of a wetting agent, a light stabilizer, an ultraviolet light absorber and a flatting agent is applied on the substrate and heated to cure the composition to a transparent, flexible, water-impervious coating.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for coating a web by applying a coating layer comprising pigment particles to the surface of the web. According to the invention, the coating layer is contacted at a preselected stage with a smooth surface, the coating layer is at least partially dried while being contacted with said surface to provide a smooth outer surface of the layer with densely packed particles, and the coating layer is separated from the smooth surface. The smooth surface of the web provided by the invention is ideal for printing or for secondary coating with polymers. Paper and board products according to the invention are easily reclaimed and can be treated in a normal pulper, because they do not contain any metal foils or polymer films.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tire retardant cellulose insulation with reduced density and reduced settling. The method consists of adding a material, the fibers of which have a positive electrostatic charge, onto a shredded newspaper base either before or after the addition of a pre-coat, consisting of a mixture of limestone and an antistat. A fire retardant agent is then added and the materials are ground in a finish mill. The newspaper fibers become positioned at an angle to the paper pieces, increasing the distance between the paper pieces, thereby lowering the density of the cellulose. Fibers such as ground cardboard, wood mulch, sawdust, and fiberglass fibers are examples of materials with electrostatically positively charged fibers.

Abstract: The present invention refers in one embodiment to a method of manufacturing multilayer coated papers and paperboards, but excluding photographic papers and pressure sensitive copying papers, that are especially suitable for printing, packaging and labeling purposes, in which at least two curtain layers selected from aqueous emulsions or suspensions are formed into a composite, free-falling curtain and a continuous web of basepaper or baseboard is coated with the composite curtain, and paper or paperboard thereby obtainable.

Abstract: A system and a method for coating two sides of a laminate material is disclosed in which one side of the laminate material is coated with one substance and the second side is coated with a similar or different substance. Reverse roll coating may be used to coat the two surfaces of the sheet of laminate material. The method described is particularly suited for applying a substance providing balancing characteristics desirable in the end product to one side of the laminate material and applying a substance providing other characteristics desirable in the end product to the other side of the laminate material. For example, a balancing substance may be applied on one side of a kraft paper sheet and a substance providing structural bonding applied to the other side, thereby eliminating the need to use a discrete balancing sheet in a laminate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparation for a degradable, water and oil resistant protective membrane. In the said method, carbon dioxide copolymer is dissolved in a low toxic or non-toxic solvent to form a solution of 3-6 wt % concentration. After standing and filtration to remove metal oxide, the solution is used to coat the surface of the fabricated starch, paper pulp, or straw tableware by spraying or dipping. The residual solvent is removed by drying process and a degradable, water and oil resistant and transparent protective membrane is obtained. The thickness of the protective membrane is in the range of 10-20 micrometer. Metal ion content is lower than 1 ppm. No leakage and deformation of the tableware are observed after the tableware is immerged in water or edible oil for 4 hours at 80° C. The decoloration test by cold edible oil and ethanol is negative. Fungus test gives grade V.

Abstract: Use for the paper sizing of aqueous polyurethane dispersions from (per)fluoropolyethers obtainable by reaction among the following compounds:

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fiber-reinforced mats and asphalt coated sheets for use in roofing and water resistant membranes. Mats and sheets according to the invention exhibit superior tensile strength and resistance to wrinkling. The mat aspect of the invention comprises product and method for producing mats comprised of organic matting materials such as cellulose, paper, other wood products, or felt, and reinforcing fibers such as fiberglass, plastics, and other relatively high-strength natural and synthetic fibers, the fibers being incorporated within the matting material during production of the mat. The sheet aspect of the invention comprises product and method for mats of the type described above with added asphalt coatings to improve the water-proofing qualities of the mats.

Abstract: A composite porous structure capable of absorbing organic pollutants from water is produced by preparing a dispersion of non film-forming PVC particles in a water-soluble organic liquid, impregnating a macroporous matrix such as a cellulosic sponge or paper with the dispersion, and curing the impregnated matrix by heating to achieve sintering of the PVC particles to produce a microporous substrate which is retained within the macroporous matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first slurry supply which forms a sheet of base web and moves the sheet along a first path; a second slurry supply; and a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web. The moving orifice applicator includes a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path, an endless belt having slotted orifices, the endless belt received through the chamber box, and a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifices along an endless path and repetitively through the chamber box. The orifices communicate with the reservoir to discharge the second slurry as bands of add-on material to the base web. The slotted orifices can be spaced apart along the belt and oriented so as to be angled with respect to the travel direction of the belt and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method for making a coated substrate, a system, and articles made thereby are provided wherein the coated substrate comprises a coating composition and a substrate. The coating composition comprises an alkenyl functional compound and a hydride functional compound, and the substrate comprises a catalytically effective amount of a platinum group metal catalyst having the formula ZxPt(0)Ly wherein L comprises an electron-withdrawing ester ligand, a quinone-based ligand, or combination thereof, y is in a range between about 1 and about 4, Z comprises a coordinating ligand, and x is in a range between 0 and about 3 wherein x+y is in a range between about 2 and about 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a calendered paper web. According to the method, a paper web is formed from a fibrous raw material in a paper machine, and the paper web is calendered. According to the invention, a fibrous raw material is used which is at least partly made up of a chemimechanical pulp of a wood species of the Populus family, and the calendering is performed by online soft-calendering. By means of the invention, the gloss and smoothness of papers can be improved without decreasing their bulk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of using steam to achieve simultaneous impregnation and drying of lignocellulosic material to improve the strength of lignocellulosic material and to reduce the number of serial processing steps. The steam may be either indigenously generated by way of a heated press or heated nip, or the steam may be externally applied.