Water is present at every stage of the paper and cardboard production cycle. By choosing to replace chemical biocides with a disinfectant solution produced in situ and on demand by salt electrolysis, the paper and cardboard industry is reducing its environmental footprint, while improving water quality.

Disinfection by electrolysis: a handy shortcut

Electrolysis is a term that is appearing more and more frequently in "industrial literature". In reality, electrolysis is not a disinfectant as such: it uses salt, water and electricity to produce a fresh, particularly effective disinfectant solution on site and in the quantities required, as a genuine alternative to traditional chemical solutions such as monochloramine, ammonium bromide, bleach, chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone.

Stable and with no variations in effectiveness, this solution fits perfectly into a cycle of maintaining water safety throughout the industrial cycle, which generally involves several successive disinfecting actions, depending on the installations. Microbiological control of water is based on methods and technologies specific to the type of water entering the industrial cycle (drinking water, surface water, groundwater), the systems and equipment used and the results expected at each stage of the process.

So, in addition to physical treatments (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet radiation), chemical treatments guarantee a level of decontamination adapted to the needs of industry at each stage of the cycle.

Unlike traditional chemical biocides, the disinfectant solution produced by salt electrolysis is not classified as harmful to health or the environment, providing additional safety for employees (limiting the risk of allergies or accidents linked to handling chemicals) and for the environment: fewer chlorates (classified as endocrine disruptors), drastic reduction in by-products and no trace of organic biocides in wastewater.

Sustainable and responsible “green chemistry", the future of water treatment

"White water", "process water" or recycled water, whatever the type, the quality and chemical properties of the water (pH, metal content, pollution in suspension, etc.) are at the heart of the industrial challenges facing paper and cardboard manufacturers, particularly the risk of biofouling, which has a direct impact on productivity. But that's not all: microbiological control of the water is also vitally important for the health of employees.

At the same time, the salt electrolysis solution reduces the company's carbon footprint by eliminating the supply chain for heavy and dangerous chemicals. This reduces the problems of storage, dependency and replenishment, while cutting operating costs.

For paper and cardboard manufacturers, the choice of a disinfectant solution obtained by a salt electrolysis reaction for water treatment is part of their efforts to promote a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly industry, as they move towards a sustainable, responsible and economical 'green chemistry'.

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