Introduction

Abstract

The use of “environment-friendly” processes is becoming more popular in the pulp and paper industry and therefore, biotechnological processes are coming to the forefront of research. The number of possible applications of biotechnology in pulp and paper manufacture has grown steadily during the past three decades. Many applications have approached or are approaching toward commercial reality. Applications that have been successfully transferred to commercial use include xylanases for bleach boosting , cellulases for improved drainage , lipases for pitch removal, cellulase-hemicellulase mixture for deinking and fiber modification , esterases for stickies control , levan hydrolase, proteases , cellulases, amylases , etc., for slime removal. A list of potential enzyme applications under investigation includes new enzymes for kraft pulp bleaching , new enzymatic approaches to reduce mechanical pulping energy, enzyme sensors for smart paper products, etc. Bio-based unit operations are usually combined with traditional or new chemical and mechanical unit operations to fully benefit the performance of enzymes.