Behind the scenes: Targeting pectin to reduce energy and chemical use as well as push for higher yield in pulping
- Mar 25
- 1 min read
In the Emission Free Pulping (EFP) program, Research Scientist Anniina Alenius at VTT is studying the role of pectin in the fibre liberation process. Although pectin represents only about 2% of spruce, it is located in the middle lamella and primary cell wall, where neighbouring fibres are bound together. Its function in pulping and fibre liberation is still not fully understood.
The hypothesis behind the research is that pectin may influence how strongly fibres remain bundled together. If pectin can be modified or partially broken down before refining, fibres may separate more easily. This could reduce the energy required in mechanical processing and potentially lower the need for chemicals, while maintaining a high material yield.
The project explores chemical and enzymatic pre-treatments, including for example hydrogen peroxide and pectinases, to understand whether targeting pectin can make fibre separation more efficient.
Understanding this small but strategically located component of wood could help improve the efficiency of fibre processing and support the goals of lower emissions and higher material efficiency in pulping.
Emission Free Pulping is a 5-year research program led by VTT and RISE that aims to significantly reduce biomass burning and increase the product yield from wood from approximately 50% to around 70%.
