3. Biotechnology applications for paper processes

3.1 Chemical pulp production

Today, very interesting results have been obtained thanks to fungal wood pretreatments designed to facilitate chemical cooking. As a result, pulp yield, Kappa index (an index measuring the amount of residual lignin in the pulp), intrinsic fiber strength, refinability and hydrophilicity have all been improved.

Pinus radiata logs were treated by direct application of the fungus Pleurotus sp, the edible oyster mushroom common in forests. . A loss in mass is observed in wood treated with this fungus. This is thought...