BLEACHING OF EUCALYPTUS KRAFT PULP WITH THE ENZONE PROCESS

A new, non-chlorine bleaching process (EnZone process) has been developed, The process consists of xylanase treatment (X) in combination with oxygen (0), ozone (Z), and alkaline peroxide (P) bleaching stages Hardwood (eucalyptus) kraft pulp delignified vw an OXZ sequence had consistently lower kappa number and higher brightness than OZ-bleached pulp. Pulp delignified via an OXZP sequence readily yielded a pulp of brightness 85.0-90.0% (ISO), compared with a brightness of 78.0-84.7% for the OZP pulp. Brightness stability and the physical properties of the EnZone-bleached (OXZP) pulp were evaluated against a reference pulp (ODEDED-bleached to 90.2% brightness). The EnZone-bleached pulp had a higher brightness stability similar tensile index, and slightly lower tear index.