Eka HP

 

Mechanical pulp, being high in lignin content, is usually brightened by using hydrogen peroxide. This alters the chemical structure of the lignin, lightening its color but leaving it present in the pulp. Lignin-removing chemicals, such as chlorine are not used because this would result in a large reduction in yield.

Hydrogen peroxide has long been used for bleaching mechanical pulp and de-inking waste paper. With the patented Lignox method developed by Eka Chemicals, hydrogen peroxide can remove much of the lignin from the pulp and is today the basis of TCF bleaching.

Hydrogen peroxide is manufactured from oxygen, and extracted from air and hydrogen in a closed process. Hydrogen is obtained as a by-product of, for example, chlorate production, or by the decomposition of natural gas. The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the environment is negligible. Its products of decomposition are oxygen gas and water.

Eka Chemicals is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hydrogen peroxide. We have hydrogen peroxide production plants in Sweden, the US and Venezuela. Our hydrogen peroxide is sold as aqueous solutions in many grades and concentrations.

Chemical formula: H₂O₂
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent, which is relatively easy to handle. Despite its power, H₂O₂ is a natural metabolite of many organisms and has none of the problems of gaseous release or chemical residues that are associated with other chemical oxidants. When the job is done, it is converted into plain ordinary water and oxygen. As an environmentally compatible bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is used to bleach chemical and mechanical pulp and de-ink recycled paper.

Pulp and paper manufacturers were among the first to recognize the importance of in-process pollution prevention, which today is one of the major driving forces in the growth of hydrogen peroxide demand worldwide.

In addition to bleaching pulp and paper, H₂O₂ is used for bleaching textiles, pollution control, and for manufacturing or processing foods, minerals, petrochemicals and consumer products (detergents).

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