Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

It is well known that production of mechanical grades of paper poses operational and product quality challenges. In addition the industry in the west coast faces an acute shortage of good quality fibre. One action that can be taken to face these challenges is an integrated approach to research. For thispurpose UBC and the largest paper producer in BC (Catalyst Paper Corporation), created a team with two chemical suppliers (EKA Chemicals and Nacan products Limited). This effort will enable us to to bring recent advances in nano-structured silica technology from EKA and starch biopolymers from Nacan into efficient use in mechanical grades of paper. This is the collaborative advantage. Laboratory trial experiments will be conducted at the UBC Pulp and Paper Centre. The trials will attempt to simulate to the best possible extent industrial conditions and through an interactive approach with the industrial partners this knowledge will be transferred to practice at the paper mills. It is expected that the cost of high-value mechanical paper produced in BC will be reduced and trouble-free papermachine operation will be ensured