pulpindustrie

The pulpindustrie refers to the industrial sector that produces pulp from wood and other cellulose-rich materials, which serves as the basic input for paper, cardboard, and many fiber-based products. Mills in this sector typically handle raw-material procurement, pulping, bleaching, refining, drying, and the management of by-products.

Pulping methods fall into mechanical, chemical, and semi-chemical categories. Mechanical pulping uses mechanical energy to separate fibers, yielding high pulp volumes but retaining more lignin and producing weaker paper; common types include groundwood and refiner mechanical pulps. Chemical pulping relies on chemical reagents to dissolve lignin and separate fibers; the kraft (sulfate) process is the dominant method today, while the sulfite process remains used for certain specialties. Dissolving pulps, produced with chemical pulping under conditions optimized for high cellulose purity, are used for textiles and specialty papers.

Bleaching is often required to reach target brightness. In recent decades the industry has moved away from chlorine-based bleaching toward elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) sequences that employ chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, and ozone to reduce environmental impact.

By-products and energy management are central to pulp mills. Kraft pulping generates black liquor, which is recovered in a chemical and energy recovery system to produce steam and reclaim pulping chemicals. Lignin and tall oil from these processes may have additional value streams.

Raw materials typically include softwood and hardwood chips, with non-wood fibers such as bagasse or bamboo used in some regions. The industry is tied to forest management and fiber availability, making sustainability certifications and responsible sourcing increasingly important.

Global production is concentrated in the Nordic countries, North America, and parts of Asia, with growing capacity in Brazil and other regions. The pulpindustrie continues to evolve toward lower environmental impact, higher efficiency, and diversified product applications.