Pulp Products

Pulp Products

Mercer: A Leading Producer of Northern Bleached Softwood and Hardwood Kraft Pulp

The demand for natural, fibre-based products, especially tissue, towels, hygiene and specialty paper products, is rising. Improving global living standards, rising populations, and a growing interest in health and cleanliness are at the heart of that demand.

Kraft wood pulp products are biodegradable and carbon-friendly. To the extent that the end-use of the pulp is not contaminated, it is easily recyclable; however, many end uses, such as for tissue, are by design meant to be degraded in sewage systems and not recycled. Competing alternatives for most end-uses are limited to plastics (for packaging) and fabric-based alternatives for tissue grades (such as wet wipes).

At Mercer, we are well-positioned as one of the world’s leading producers of northern bleached softwood and hardwood kraft pulp (NBSK and NBHK) to meet this growing demand with our sustainably produced products.

  • Producing Two Grades of Excellence

    Mercer produces two premium grades of high-quality pulp:

    • NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft), which utilizes the long fibres of northern coniferous tree species.
    • NBHK (northern bleached hardwood kraft), which utilizes the short fibres of northern deciduous tree species.

    The fibre requirements of all of Mercer’s mills are sourced from sawmill residuals, low-grade pulp logs, and residual harvested material that come from sustainably managed forests. 

    Our Operations

How Mercer’s NBSK and NBHK Pulps are Utilized

Softwood (NBSK) pulp is valued for its natural reinforcing role in many materials including premium tissue, high-quality publishing paper, advertising materials and specialty products (i.e. décor home products, filtration papers, thermal papers and cup stock).

Hardwood (NBHK) pulp that is produced at Mercer Peace River is predominantly produced from aspen and is utilized by specialty paper makers who produce paper requiring a smooth sheet (i.e. specialty papers, packaging, wallpapers, and gift wraps).

Modern and Reliable

All of our mills utilize a process to ensure we have elemental chlorine-free (ECF) pulp. ECF pulp results from a technique that uses chlorine dioxide for the bleaching of our pulp. We do not use elemental chlorine during the bleaching process, which prevents the formation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds.

Our Rosenthal and Stendal mills also have the capability of producing both totally chlorine-free (TCF) and ECF pulp thereby avoiding the generation of organically-bound chlorine in the pulp and water stream. While the two mills produce NBSK with slightly different grades, all of their pulp is characterized by high static and dynamic strength.

With facilities both in North America and Europe, we can offer our customers consistent quality and a secure supply chain in sourcing, production, and transportation.

Our Utilization

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