Paper Chemicals & Additives
Chemical solutions play an important role across pulp, paper, board and tissue production, helping mills manage process efficiency, sheet properties, surface performance and production stability.
At Paper & Tissue Show, buyers can meet paper chemicals suppliers serving different stages of the manufacturing process – from stock preparation and wet-end chemistry to sizing, coating, tissue and Yankee applications, converting, water treatment and process control.
The category covers two broad groups: process chemicals that keep the paper machine and its water circuits running cleanly, and functional additives that give paper, board and tissue the properties each grade requires. Mills, converters and distributors can use it to find pulp and paper chemicals and tissue chemicals matched to a specific production stage and application.
What Chemicals and Additives Are Used in Paper and Tissue Production?
Paper and tissue manufacturing uses different chemistry at each stage of production, and the right choice depends on the paper grade, furnish, production process and required final properties. Some chemicals mainly support the process itself, while others are added to influence specific properties of the finished paper, board or tissue. The main application areas follow the production line:
- Pulping and stock preparation: pulping and bleaching aids, deinking chemicals and deposit-control agents that prepare virgin or recovered fibre for the paper machine.
- Wet end: retention and drainage chemicals, fixing agents, internal sizing, strength additives, paper dyes and pigments, and defoamers added to the stock before the sheet is formed.
- Surface sizing and coating: starches, surface sizes, binders, coating pigments and barrier formulations applied to the formed sheet at the size press or coater.
- Tissue and Yankee: creping adhesives, release agents and softeners that govern how the sheet behaves on the Yankee cylinder.
- Converting: paper adhesives and bonding agents for ply bonding, lamination, tail sealing and core winding, together with lotions and other finishing additives.
- Water treatment: coagulants, flocculants and scale-control chemicals for process water, white water and effluent.
- Process control: defoamers, biocides and cleaning chemicals that keep foam, microbiological growth and deposits in check across the mill.
Because operating conditions differ between mills and grades, chemical selection normally depends on furnish composition, process water, temperature, pH, application point and the performance requirements of the finished product.
Which Paper Chemical Solutions Can Buyers Source?
Buyers visiting Paper & Tissue Show can explore chemical technologies and additives for every stage of paper, board and tissue production. The main product groups and their role in production are outlined below.
Retention, Drainage and Formation Aids
Retention and drainage programmes work in the wet end of the paper machine, where fibres, fines, fillers and process water interact. Retention aids help keep fines, fillers and other additives in the sheet instead of letting them pass through the forming wire with the white water. Drainage aids influence how readily water leaves the stock on the wire and in the press section, which in turn affects the load on the dryer section. Formation describes how evenly the fibres are distributed in the sheet, so retention, drainage and formation are normally balanced against one another rather than adjusted separately.
Solutions in this area include retention aids, drainage aids, fixing agents, coagulants, flocculants and microparticle systems. Coagulants and fixing agents neutralise or bind dissolved and colloidal material, while flocculants bridge particles into larger flocs that the wire can retain.
When comparing retention and drainage chemicals, technical teams may consider the chemistry and ionic character of the product, furnish composition, filler content, application point, dosage range and compatibility with the existing wet-end system. Solenis, which has participated in Paper & Tissue Show, is among the exhibitors represented in retention and drainage solutions.
Sizing, Strength and Wet-End Additives
Sizing, strength and other wet-end additives are functional chemicals: they change the properties of the sheet rather than the running of the machine. Sizing agents make paper and board resist penetration by water and other liquids. Internal sizing is added to the stock at the wet end, while surface sizing is applied to the formed sheet at the size press or film press, where it also contributes to surface strength and printability.
Dry-strength agents increase bonding between fibres, which supports sheet strength where recycled furnish or higher filler levels are used. Wet-strength agents help the sheet keep part of its strength when wet, a requirement for grades such as kitchen towel, tissue and some packaging and label papers.
Selection varies according to the grade being produced, fibre source, recycled or virgin furnish, production conditions and targeted sheet properties. Previous participants in the wider pulp and paper chemicals category include Buckman Laboratories and AKKIM. Specific product suitability should be confirmed directly with each supplier.
Coating Chemicals, Binders and Barrier Solutions
Paper coating chemicals are used to give paper and board a smooth, uniform surface for printing and converting. A coating formulation combines several components, each with its own function: pigments form the body of the coating layer, binders hold the pigment particles together and anchor them to the base sheet, dispersing agents keep the pigments evenly distributed, and rheology modifiers control viscosity and water retention during application. Optical brightening agents and other coating additives can be included to adjust the appearance of the surface.
Barrier solutions give paper and board resistance to water, grease, oil, water vapour or oxygen, depending on the formulation and the end use. Any food-contact suitability of a coating or barrier product should be documented by the supplier.
Buyers looking for paper coating chemicals can meet suppliers represented at Paper & Tissue Show, including previous participants Kemira and Archroma. Technical and procurement teams should compare suppliers according to the intended paper grade, coating system, application method, product specifications and compatibility with existing production conditions.
Tissue Creping Adhesives, Release Agents and Softeners
Tissue production requires specialised chemistry, particularly around the Yankee cylinder and the creping process. Creping adhesives make the sheet adhere to the Yankee surface so that it can be creped at the doctor blade, release agents moderate that adhesion so the sheet comes off in a controlled way, and coating modifiers adjust the properties of the coating film that forms on the cylinder. Together, these creping chemicals influence the bulk, stretch and softness of the tissue.
Softeners and debonders act on the fibres themselves. Debonders reduce fibre-to-fibre bonding to increase bulk and softness, while softeners change the surface feel of the sheet and can be added at the wet end, sprayed onto the sheet or applied during converting. In tissue converting, paper adhesives and bonding agents are used for ply bonding, lamination, tail sealing and core winding.
The right programme of tissue chemicals is closely connected to Yankee operating conditions, furnish, machine configuration and the required tissue characteristics. Mills should therefore evaluate these solutions together with supplier technical documentation and application guidance rather than relying on general dosage or performance assumptions.
Dyes, Pigments and Optical Brightening Agents
Paper dyes and pigments control the colour of paper, board and tissue, from light shading that adjusts the tone of a white grade to deep shades for coloured papers and packaging. Dyes are soluble colourants that attach to the fibre, whereas pigments are insoluble particles that have to be retained in the sheet or bound in a coating. Fixing agents can be used alongside them to anchor colour to the fibre.
Optical brightening agents absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, which makes the sheet appear whiter and brighter. Depending on the product, dyes, pigments and optical brightening agents are designed for wet-end, size-press or coating application.
Buyers should consider the intended grade, application stage, colour requirements, process compatibility and relevant technical specifications when comparing solutions.
Defoamers, Biocides and Deposit-Control Chemicals
Foam, microbiological activity and deposits affect production stability and process efficiency in paper mills, and each is managed with its own group of process chemicals. Defoamers for paper manufacturing break down foam and release entrained air from stock and water circuits, where it can slow drainage and disturb sheet formation. Biocides control bacteria, fungi and slime in water circuits, stock chests and additive storage.
Deposit-control agents deal with pitch from virgin pulp, stickies from recovered paper and inorganic scale by dispersing, detackifying or fixing these substances before they build up on wires, felts and rolls. Cleaners and other process aids keep machine clothing and equipment surfaces in working condition between shutdowns.
Product selection should be based on the specific mill environment, water chemistry and process conditions, and on the regulatory requirements that apply to the grade being produced.
Deinking, Water Treatment and Process Chemicals
Mills processing recovered fibre rely on chemistry in stock preparation as well as on the paper machine. Deinking chemicals help detach ink from the fibres in the pulper, and flotation aids carry the released ink particles to the surface so that they can be removed. Bleaching chemicals are then used to bring the pulp to the brightness the grade requires.
In water treatment, coagulants and flocculants clarify process water and effluent and support sludge dewatering, while scale-control chemicals limit mineral deposits in water circuits. Buyers can also explore cleaning and process-water management solutions, alongside other pulp and paper chemicals developed specifically for mill use.
NCR Biochemical has participated in Paper & Tissue Show within paper chemicals and process aids. Other previous participants in the broader paper chemicals category include BIM KEMI and KEMIND.
How Should Buyers Compare Paper Chemical and Additive Suppliers?
Choosing between paper chemicals suppliers requires more than comparing product names or price per unit. Mills and procurement teams should assess whether a solution is technically suitable for their production environment and target paper grade.
Important comparison points include product function, chemistry or ionic character, active content, physical form, pH, viscosity, recommended dosage range, application point, paper grade, furnish compatibility, process temperature, storage requirements and packaging options.
Buyers should also request current Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and discuss any regulatory, food-contact, sustainability or certification requirements relevant to their application directly with the supplier. Trial requirements, technical support and the method used to evaluate results should also be clarified before adopting a new chemical programme.
Who Should Explore This Category?
The Paper Chemicals & Additives category is designed for professionals involved in chemical selection, purchasing, process optimisation and product development across the paper industry. This includes paper and tissue mills, board manufacturers, technical managers, production and process engineers, mill procurement teams, R&D and laboratory teams, chemical distributors and converters looking for suppliers and technologies relevant to their production requirements.
Visitors sourcing related production inputs and technologies can also explore the Pulp, Recovered Paper, Fibers & Raw Materials, Paper Mill Machinery & Equipment and Tissue Converting Machinery categories at Paper & Tissue Show.
Meet Paper Chemical and Additive Suppliers at Paper & Tissue Show
Paper & Tissue Show provides a B2B meeting point for mills, technical professionals, procurement teams and chemical suppliers serving the pulp, paper, board and tissue industries.
Companies that have participated in Paper & Tissue Show within this category include Solenis, Kemira, Buckman Laboratories, Archroma, AKKIM, BIM KEMI, NCR Biochemical, KEMIND, Caran Kimya and Mare.
Their participation demonstrates the presence of specialist chemical suppliers within the exhibition's wider pulp, paper, board and tissue supply chain. Buyers can meet participating companies directly to discuss available products, technical specifications and suitability for their individual production requirements.
Paper Chemicals & Additives FAQs
Mills should provide enough technical information for the supplier to understand the intended application. This can include the paper or tissue grade, furnish composition, machine and process conditions, application point, current chemical programme and required performance objective. Relevant operating parameters may also be required depending on the application. Providing accurate process information helps suppliers determine whether a product is suitable before recommending trials or commercial quantities.
Chemical performance can vary significantly according to the production environment. Virgin and recycled fibre systems, filler levels, water chemistry, pH, temperature, machine configuration and production speed can all influence how a chemical behaves. For this reason, a product used successfully for one grade or mill should not automatically be assumed to provide the same result under different operating conditions.
Process chemicals are primarily used to support manufacturing operations, such as drainage, foam control, deposit control, water treatment or deinking. Functional additives are generally introduced to influence properties of the paper, board or tissue itself, such as strength, sizing, colour, surface characteristics or softness. Some chemical programmes can affect both process performance and finished-product properties, so classification may vary according to the application.
Depending on the tissue grade and production process, mills may use softeners or debonders for softness, wet-strength agents, and Yankee coating or creping chemicals such as creping adhesives and release agents. The appropriate chemistry and application conditions depend on the furnish, machine configuration, Yankee conditions and targeted tissue properties. Specific products and dosage levels should therefore be determined with the chemical supplier.
Buyers should normally request the relevant Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) together with product specifications and storage and handling information. Where applicable, mills should also request documentation supporting any supplier claims relating to regulatory compliance, food-contact applications, certifications or sustainability characteristics.
Companies supplying pulp and paper chemicals, tissue chemicals and other process chemicals or functional additives for mills and converters can exhibit at Paper & Tissue Show within the Paper Chemicals & Additives category. Exhibiting gives suppliers a platform to present their technologies, discuss applications directly with mills, converters, distributors, procurement professionals and technical decision-makers, and develop new business across the international pulp, paper, board and tissue industry. Companies interested in taking part can contact the show's organising team for stand and participation details.
