Biotechnologies in the paper industry

Life technologies, or biotechnologies, are currently seen as a promising tool in the chain of transformation of wood into unbleached or bleached pulp.

In nature, there are a large number of micro-organisms, particularly fungi, whose secretion products (containing enzymes) degrade wood. What's more, some of them are highly selective, eliminating lignin and "undesirable" wood compounds while preserving cellulose. Their study has logically led to the research and development of techniques to control this selective degradation of certain wood components during pulp preparation.

Two approaches are possible, one based on the use of micro-organisms (mainly white rot fungi), the other on the direct application of enzymes that catalyze the degradation of certain wood components.

In the early 1980s, the main areas of study in the use of biotechnologies were effluent treatment, mechanical pulping using biological treatments and cellulose hydrolysis. During the 1990s, considerable progress was made in the use of enzymes specialized in wood degradation to improve pulp bleaching. Today, biotechnologies are being studied for issues affecting the entire wood-to-paper chain (including recycling).