Wood chip treatment enzymes are primarily used in the pulp and paper industry to pre-treat wood chips before pulping. Key applications include:
Chemical Pulping: Enzymes reduce the amount of chemicals (e.g., sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide) needed in the kraft pulping process, lowering costs and environmental impact.
Mechanical Pulping: Enzymes improve fiber separation, reducing energy consumption and enhancing pulp quality.
Biopulping: Enzymes are used in biopulping processes to partially degrade lignin and hemicellulose, making mechanical pulping more efficient.
Recycled Fiber Processing: Enzymes can also be used to treat recycled wood fibers, improving their quality for reuse in paper production.