A survey of additives used in the production of newsprint and groundwo
od specialties was conducted with the participation of 19 Canadian mil
ls which operate 42 paper machines. The most common type of additives
were brightening agents (24 machines) followed by retention aids (17),
clay fillers (9), pitch dispersants (4) and cationic starch (2). No a
dditives were used on 17 machines. The positive and negative effects o
f additives are discussed.