Paper And Microbiological Growth Don't Mix: What You Need To Know About Paper Breaks

By Shawn Watkins, LuminUltra

Water is an instrumental ingredient in the manufacture of paper products. When wood products are broken down into pulp, water is used to move the slurry onto the paper machine, which is something akin to a fast moving, very long conveyor belt. Being an organic product, both pulp and paper tend to facilitate the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Throw in some starch, CMC, recycled fibre or many other variables and you have optimal conditions for microbiological growth. When microorganisms grow out of control, they can form slimes that adhere to the machine and/or the product, which can weaken the paper sheet and cause paper breaks.