Brief News on Paper Chemicals

Major suppliers including Solenis, BASF, Kemira and SNF expand production in China and Southeast Asia for retention aids, defoamers, coating latex and dry strength agents.New products: bulk-increasing microspheres, fluorine-free oil barriers and bio-deinking enzymes. Higher recycled pulp boosts demand for dry strength, retention and deinking chemicals. AKD and ASA remain popular sizing agents.Asia-Pacific is the largest market. Specialty additives grow faster. Food-contact and low-carbon formulations command better margins. Tighter environmental rules phase out backward capacity.Paper replacing plastic drives functional chemicals. Carbon footprint is a new factor for mill selection.