The Fate of Paper Chemicals at the Wet End

The papermaking process is essentially a ˆltration process [1] involving the dynamic separation of the paper web from the white water. If chemicals are to in¨uence the web and paper properties, they must be retained on the cellulose ˆbers [2]. Poor retention results in more water removal from the wet web [3], low paper quality and a high concentration of chemicals in white water, and the lack of attainment of the desired functional properties.