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.