Paper Recycling

Recycled paper produced from de-inked pulp helps preserve forests and natural resources and consumes up to 60 % less energy than paper made from virgin wood cellulose fibers. Secondary fibers can be reused multiple times without significant loss in quality. Yet consumers still demand that recycled paper be bright and of consistent quality. Evonik's oxidation chemistries support de-inking, fiber brightness and process water hygiene at every stage of the recycling process. Because every sheet deserves a second life.

• Proven Performance: HYPROX® hydrogen peroxide ensures effective bleaching and deinking for superior paper quality. PERACLEAN® peracetic acid removes biofilms and keeps process water clean. And our persulfates for the paper industry are used as pulping agents for paper containing wet strength resin. 
• Low Halogenated Residues: Hydrogen peroxide bleaching achieves high brightness with improved brightness stability while keeping halogenated compounds low in both pulp (OX) and effluent (AOX), with low effluent colour. Even small doses improve pulp brightness, and hydrogen peroxide leaves no toxic residues in the fiber.
• Tailored Solutions: Optimized for mechanical and chemical pulp recycling, delivering consistent results across diverse paper grades. 

Deinking & Brightening

• HYPROX® – High-purity hydrogen peroxide, applied at the repulping stage alongside de-inking agents such as soap, silicate and caustic soda. Printing inks are then removed by flotation and/or washing. In the subsequent bleaching step, hydrogen peroxide raises the brightness of de-inked fibers and prevents alkaline yellowing – without chlorine-based chemicals. De-inked pulp is used for graphic papers, tissue products and high-brightness packaging materials.

Water Treatment in Paper Mills

• PERACLEAN® – Peracetic acid combats microbes and biofilms to keep fiber material clean and inhibit slime formation in process waters.

Further Processing

• Persulfates – Activated alkali persulfates efficiently repulp neutral and alkaline wet-strength broke and decolorize dyes and optical brighteners. Historically, sodium hypochlorite was used to break down wet-strength paper products, generating free chlorine that could cause corrosion and organic halide by-products. Persulfate salts are non-halogenated and perform this task without forming those by-products.

• Non-Chlorinated Chemistry: Our bleaching and repulping chemistries work without chlorine, so no chlorinated by-products such as AOX are formed. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water; peracetic acid decomposes into water, oxygen and acetic acid. 
  
• Certified Production: Evonik's manufacturing facilities are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. Our regulatory team supports you in matching your process to the effluent and product requirements applicable in your market.
• Expert Support: Our specialists' partner with you to optimize formulations and enhance process efficiency. 

Discover how HYPROX®, PERACLEAN® and our persulfates can support your recycling process – from de-inking and brightness to process water hygiene and wet-strength broke repulping. Contact us or explore our solutions.  

Contact us today or explore our solutions to start your journey toward sustainable paper recycling.