About the Pulp & Paper Industry
The pulp and paper industry comprises manufacturing enterprises that process woody plant material into various forms of pulp, paper, and paperboard. The production process begins by breaking down fibrous plant material into its cellulose(C₆H₁₀O₅)n components using mechanical, thermal, or chemical methods. During pulping, non-cellulose materials like lignin (C₉H₁₀O₂, C₁₀H₁₂O₃, and C₁₁H₁₄O₄) are removed to isolate pure cellulose fibers. These fibers are then pressed, dried, and treated to produce paper. Globally, the industry generates approximately 400 million metric tonnes of paper annually, serving needs ranging from graphic papers to corrugated packaging and tissue products.
The industry is a critical driver of sustainability by adopting circular economy principles—recycling post-consumer paper products and optimizing the use of by-products, such as black liquor, a residue rich in carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) used for energy recovery. Advanced chemical processes, such as the Kraft process, rely on sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium sulfide (Na₂S) to digest wood chips into pulp.
