IDS: Eco-Friendly Solution for Papermaking

Introduction: The Green Transformation of the Paper Industry and Environmental Challenges

With the global rise in environmental awareness and the pursuit of "Dual Carbon" goals, the traditional paper industry is facing unprecedented environmental pressures. Conventional pulp bleaching and purification processes often involve chlorine-containing compounds and phosphorus-based additives, which not only pollute the environment but also affect the final quality of paper. In this context, a new type of environmentally friendly additive—Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate (IDS)—is emerging in the paper industry, becoming a key material driving the green transformation of papermaking.

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate: An Environmental Innovator in Papermaking Processes

Chemical Properties and Environmental Advantages

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate is a biodegradable green chelating agent with multiple carboxyl groups that can form stable complexes with various metal ions. Compared to traditional chelating agents such as EDTA and DTPA, IDS offers the following significant advantages:

1. Excellent Biodegradability: IDS is fully biodegradable in natural environments, avoiding persistent pollution.

2. High Efficiency in Metal Ion Chelation: Particularly strong binding capacity for transition metal ions such as iron, copper, and manganese.

3. Wide pH Adaptability: Maintains good chelating performance under alkaline conditions, making it suitable for the alkaline environment of pulp.

4. Safe and Non-Toxic: Free of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other eutrophication-causing elements, making it eco-friendly for aquatic ecosystems.

Core Applications in Paper Pulp

1. Metal Ion Control in Pulp Bleaching Processes

Trace metal ions (e.g., iron, copper, manganese) in pulp bleaching processes can catalyze hydrogen peroxide decomposition, reducing bleaching efficiency and increasing chemical consumption. IDS effectively chelates these metal ions, improving bleaching agent utilization by 15–30%, reducing chemical usage, and enhancing paper whiteness and stability.

2. Deposit Control and System Cleaning

Hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium in pulp systems can form deposits, affecting equipment operation and paper quality. IDS prevents the formation of these deposits, maintains system cleanliness, reduces the frequency of停机清洗, and improves production efficiency.

3. Recycled Fiber Processing

In waste paper recycling, IDS effectively chelates metal components in ink, improving deinking efficiency and enhancing the quality of recycled pulp, thereby supporting the circular economy.

4. Optimization of Process Water Recycling

By controlling metal ion concentrations, IDS helps improve the recycling rate of process water, reducing freshwater consumption and wastewater discharge, aligning with the water-saving and emission-reduction requirements of modern paper mills.

Yuanlian Chemical: An Industry Leader in Green Papermaking Additives

Company Profile and Industry Position

Founded in 2008, Yuanlian Chemical is a leading Chinese manufacturer of environmentally friendly chemicals, specializing in the innovation and production of green chelating agents, biodegradable surfactants, and other eco-friendly products. Headquartered in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, the company operates modern production facilities and R&D centers and was one of the earliest enterprises in China to research, develop, and industrialize Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate.

After over a decade of development, Yuanlian Chemical has become a key supplier of environmentally friendly additives for various industries, including papermaking, textiles, and water treatment. Its products are exported to more than 30 countries and regions, including Europe, America, and Southeast Asia, with annual sales exceeding 500 million RMB.

Production Capacity and Quality Assurance

Yuanlian Chemical operates the largest IDS production line in China, with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons. The company employs advanced continuous production processes and automated control systems to ensure product stability and consistency across batches. It is certified under ISO9001 Quality Management Systems and ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems, and its products comply with international environmental standards such as EU REACH regulations and relevant FDA standards in the United States.

R&D Innovation and Technical Expertise

Yuanlian Chemical places a strong emphasis on technological innovation, dedicating over 5% of its annual sales to R&D. The company collaborates with several universities, including Nanjing Tech University and East China University of Science and Technology, on industry-academia-research projects. It has achieved multiple breakthroughs in IDS application technology:

1. Development of Papermaking-Specific Formulations: Customized IDS formulations for different pulp types (wood pulp, bamboo pulp, waste paper pulp) and process conditions.

2. Research on Compound Formulations: Combining IDS with other environmentally friendly additives to develop multifunctional products with synergistic effects.

3. Optimization of Application Processes: Providing complete application solutions for paper manufacturers, including optimization of addition points and dosage control.

The company holds 12 national invention patents and 8 utility model patents related to IDS and has participated in the development of 2 industry standards.

Market Application Cases of Yuanlian Chemical’s IDS Products

Case Study 1: Successful Application in a Large Cultural Paper Manufacturer

This company previously used traditional chelating agents, resulting in low bleaching efficiency and high wastewater treatment costs. After switching to Yuanlian Chemical’s IDS products:

• Hydrogen peroxide consumption decreased by 28%.

• Paper whiteness improved by 2.5 degrees.

• Wastewater treatment costs reduced by 35%.

• Annual production cost savings amounted to approximately 1.2 million RMB.

Case Study 2: Deposit Control in a Packaging Board Mill

The mill faced severe calcium scaling in its paper machine system, requiring monthly停机清洗. After adopting Yuanlian Chemical’s IDS solution:

• System operation cycles extended by three times.

• Equipment cleaning frequency reduced by 70%.

• Board smoothness improved, and customer complaint rates decreased by 60%.

Environmental Trends in the Paper Industry and the Market Prospects for IDS

With the advancement of China’s "Plastic Restriction Order" and the tightening of environmental policies, the demand for paper packaging continues to grow, driving higher requirements for environmentally friendly papermaking technologies. Industry forecasts indicate that the market for environmentally friendly papermaking additives in China will grow at an average annual rate of 12% over the next five years, with biodegradable chelating agents being the fastest-growing segment.

Leveraging its technical advantages, production capacity, and industry experience, Yuanlian Chemical has established strategic partnerships with several large papermaking groups, steadily increasing its market share. The company plans to expand its IDS production capacity to 25,000 tons within the next three years and develop next-generation multifunctional environmentally friendly additives to consolidate its leading position in the green papermaking chemicals sector.

Five Reasons to Choose Yuanlian Chemical’s IDS Products

1. Comprehensive Environmental Certifications: Products comply with multiple international environmental standards, meeting the strictest environmental requirements.

2. Rich Application Experience: Services provided to over 200 paper manufacturers, backed by extensive application data and technical expertise.

3. Complete Technical Support: End-to-end technical support, from laboratory testing to production line optimization.

4. Stable and Reliable Supply: In-house production facilities ensure supply stability and strong resilience to market fluctuations.

5. Excellent Cost-Effectiveness: Economies of scale reduce costs, providing customers with high-value solutions.

Conclusion: Partner with Yuanlian for a Greener Future in Papermaking

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, as a next-generation environmentally friendly papermaking additive, is leading the paper industry toward greener and more efficient practices. Yuanlian Chemical, with its deep technical expertise, scalable production capabilities, and comprehensive service system, has become a benchmark enterprise in this field.

In an era of increasingly stringent environmental requirements and a global consensus on sustainable development, choosing Yuanlian Chemical’s IDS products is not just about selecting an efficient papermaking additive but also about embracing a development philosophy that prioritizes responsibility toward enterprises, society, and the environment. Yuanlian Chemical looks forward to collaborating with more paper manufacturers to jointly advance the green transformation of China’s paper industry and contribute to building a beautiful China.