ZP is a world leading sensor developer and manufacturer of biosensors, including including highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide sensors, which find application in multiple hydrogen peroxide use scenarios, including measuring and monitoring hydrogen peroxide used in the paper industry.
One of the benefits of the ZP hydrogen peroxide sensing technology is that it can be used in complex and non-transparent samples, so had advantages over colorimetric tests.
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Bleaching: Hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching agent in the paper industry to whiten and brighten pulp. It is particularly effective in bleaching mechanical pulp, such as groundwood and thermomechanical pulp (TMP), which contain lignin. Lignin is a natural polymer that gives pulp its color, and hydrogen peroxide helps break down this lignin, leading to brighter and whiter paper products.
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Environmentally Friendly Bleaching: Hydrogen peroxide is preferred by many paper manufacturers because it is considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional chlorine-based bleaching agents. Chlorine-based bleaching can produce harmful chlorinated compounds as byproducts, which can be detrimental to the environment. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, breaks down into water and oxygen, making it a safer option.
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Mechanical Pulp Bleaching: As mentioned earlier, hydrogen peroxide is especially useful in bleaching mechanical pulps. These pulps typically have higher lignin content compared to chemical pulps, and hydrogen peroxide effectively breaks down this lignin without damaging the cellulose fibers, resulting in high-quality paper products.
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Brightening Agent: In addition to its bleaching properties, hydrogen peroxide can also act as a brightening agent, enhancing the brightness and optical properties of paper. This is particularly important for producing high-quality papers used in printing and publishing.
