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Introduction
1.1 Introduction
The global pulp and paper industry is in physical terms one of the largest industries
in the world. It is dominated by North American (United States and Canada), north-
ern European (Finland, Sweden), and East Asian countries such as Japan. Australasia
and Latin America also have significant pulp and paper industries. Both India and
China are expected to be key in the industry’s growth over the next few years.
World production of paper and paper board totals some 380 million tons. Growth
is most rapid in Asia, thanks mainly to the quick expansion of industry in China.
Asia already accounts for well over a third of total world paper and paperboard
production. In North America, by contrast, production is contracting. Consumption
of paper and paperboard is increasing ever more rapidly in Asia, in China especially.
Asia already accounts for almost 40% of global consumption, while EU and North
America account for about one quarter each. Per capita consumption of paper and
paperboard varies significantly from country to country and regionally. On average,
one person uses about 60 kg of paper a year; the extremes are 300 kg for each US
resident and some 7 kg for each African. Only around 35 kg of paper per person is
consumed in the populous area of Asia. This means that Asian consumption will
continue to grow strongly in the coming years if developments there follow the
precedent of the West. In Finland, per capita consumption of paper and paperboard
is about 200 kg.
The pulp and paper industry plays an important role in the country’s economic
growth. It is highly capital intensive and has been periodically affected by overca-
pacity. It is traditionally known to be a large contributor to environmental pollution
due to its large consumptions of energy and chemicals.
This is a difficult time for the pulp and paper industry. Consumer standards are
high, and manufacturing is competitive. Cost reduction pressures are causing con-
solidation of companies through mergers and acquisitions; many research and
development laboratories are being downsized, closed, or directed toward short-
term objectives and opportunities; and profitability is being constrained by external
Table 1.1 Biotechnology for the pulp and paper industry in different stages of development
Process Status
Bleaching of kraft pulp Commercial scale
Modification of fiber properties for improving beatability Commercial scale
Improvement of pulp drainage Commercial scale
Decreasing vessel picking Commercial scale
Deinking Commercial scale
Stickies control Commercial scale
Starch modification Commercial scale
Removal of pitch in pulp Commercial scale
Slime control in paper manufacture Commercial scale
Production of chemicals or fuels from wastes and waste liquors Commercial scale
Biomechanical pulping Pilot scale
Biochemical pulping Pilot scale
Pulp bleaching with laccase mediator system Pilot scale
Purification of bleach plant effluents Pilot scale
Production of dissolving pulps Pilot scale
Use of enzymes for debarking Laboratory scale
Use of enzymes for retting of flax fibers Pilot scale
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