Paper properties improvement by adding microfibrillated cellulose-mineral composites

Increasing the amount of filler in paper is of high interest for paper industry while maintaining its key sheet quality properties. In this study, a MFC-GCC composite, made through a co-grinding NBSK (Northern bleached softwood kraft) pulp with a ground calcium carbonate (Intracarb 60), was used as a strength aid in paper in order to evaluate a potential cost reduction through filler increase without sacrificing paper quality. Handsheets were made of NBSK and/or eucalyptus pulp by using white water recirculation in a Tappi sheet former and was compared its properties without or with MFC additions at different filler levels. It was found that the MFC-GCC composite has a large surface area compared to the fiber, allowing the formation of more hydrogen bonds in the web, thus giving natural strength to the paper. Overall results are encouraging that the MFC-GCC composite allows papermaker to reduce basis weight and maintain critical sheet properties.