SLIME PROBLEMS IN THE PAPER AND BOARD INDUSTRY

The latest trends in the paper industry have been towards manufacturin g by a neutral or alkaline process, greater consumption of secondary f ibres and the closing-up of the process water systems. Under these con ditions of papermaking, the problems of deposits, corrosion and odours due to the microbiological activity increase considerably and therefo re, runnability and production problems occur. To help our understandi ng of the current situation in the paper industry, this paper presents a review of the microorganism sources, the consequences of the microb iological activity upon the actual systems of manufacturing paper and board; and the current state of the different alternatives for its pre vention and control, as well as the future trends to address environme ntal considerations.