Adding value for improved market competitiveness of mechanical printing papers

Mechanical printing papers offer a high Performance: Cost ratio printing substrate, with brightness the dominant quality determinant. High mechanical pulp yield and light scattering are key competitive advantages. Challenges include high electrical energy demand, high cost of brightening, and a maximum (bleached) brightness limit below that of bleached chemical pulps. Emerging raw materials, papermaking and finishing technologies that ameliorate these, and open the door to new product and end use opportunities, are reviewed. In addition, future technical needs, to further enhance mechanical printing papers competitiveness, are also discussed.