Environmental issues of pulp bleaching and prospects of peracetic acid pulp bleaching: A review

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2020-05, Vol.256, p.120338, Article 120338
• Main Authors: Sharma, Nirmal, Bhardwaj, Nishi K., Singh, Ram Bhushan Prashad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorbable organic halides; Elemental chlorine free bleaching; Peracetic acid; Pulp bleaching; Total chlorine free bleaching
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120338

To meet the demand of pulp and paper as well as the environmental legislation the pulp production with eco-friendly approach is desired. This paper presented the state of affairs of Indian and world pulp and paper industry. It also reviewed the discharge of toxic substances from pulp bleaching process and the alternatives for reduction of these toxic substances from pulp bleaching process. The pulp and paper industry is continually changing the bleaching process to minimize the use of chlorine and chlorine based compounds in order to satisfy regulatory and market demands. Imminent to have the minimum impact on environment from bleach plant peracetic acid is the prospective candidate. Use of peracetic acid is a promising technology as it has the capability to reduce/replace chlorine based compounds from pulp bleaching process. This paper reviewed the peracetic acid pulp bleaching and its impact on pulp properties and presented the eco-friendly bleaching process for mixed hardwood. •Pulp and paper demands, consumption and expected projections.•Environmental complications of conventional pulp bleaching.•Application of peracetic acid in different sectors.•Peracetic acid as an environment friendly bleaching agent.•Impact of peracetic acid pulp bleaching on pulp and effluent properties.