Old corrugated container (OCC) pulp was pretreated in a variety of ways including with a
cationic surfactant, viz., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and a non-ionic surfactant
(NS), alcohol ethoxylate, with the aim of improving dewatering by exploiting reduction of
surface tension, water retention value (WRV), and hard-to-remove water. Surfactant-fiber
interactions were evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight
secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images
were analyzed to observe the change in the fiber morphology due to surfactant pretreatment. The
effect of surfactant-modified OCC pulp with respect to pretreatment techniques in addition to
different pressing and drying conditions on the physical and mechanical properties of packaging
paper (120 grams per square meter) was studied. The packaging paper properties such as tensile
index, STFI, folding endurance, ring crush test, and CMT test showed significant improvement
for the hydropulp pretreatment technique regardless of pressing and drying conditions.
Nevertheless, the mechanical properties of packaging paper handsheets prepared from pre-dried
pretreatment were found to be lower, while their bulk, water absorption, and air permeability
increased. Among the various conditions investigated, the packaging paper handsheets prepared
at hydropulp conditions exhibited enhanced dewatering with improved mechanical and physical
properties for both surfactants. Therefore, this chemo-mechanical approach is projected to
improve the recycling life of OCC-based packaging by reducing total energy demand and
facilitating decarbonization.

Lokendra Pal

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