Effect of nanofibrillated cellulose to reduce linting on high filler-loaded recycled papers

The removal of particles from the paper surface and its accumulation on the printing blanket, or linting, is one of the most recurrent problems encountered in newsprint printing, and is aggravated in high filler-loaded recycled papers. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is currently receiving a great deal of attention due to its enormous potential as a reinforcement aid in high filler-loaded papers through increased filler-fibre interaction and interfibre bonding. The effect of NFC addition on linting however has not yet been investigated. The objective of this research is to quantify the effect of NFC on linting in newsprint. Different concentrations of PCC and NFC were added to a recycled paper pulp that contained 14% by wt. ash, and the efficacy of NFC as a linting control agent was evaluated. A NFC dose of 1.5% by wt. in recycled paper reduced linting by as much as 47%; moreover, retention and drainage were improved.