Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, sulphite, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood

HS code 470421 covers chemical wood pulp, sulphite, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood. This type of wood pulp is a critical raw material for the paper and paperboard industry, which is a significant contributor to the global economy. The production and trade of this commodity are closely monitored by governments and industry associations worldwide due to its importance in the manufacturing of various paper products.

The production of chemical wood pulp, sulphite, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood involves several key steps. First, the raw material, which is typically softwood logs or chips, undergoes a chemical pulping process using sulphite liquor. This process separates the cellulose fibers from the lignin and other non-cellulosic components. The resulting pulp is then semi-bleached or bleached to improve its brightness and purity, making it suitable for a wide range of paper and paperboard applications.

The main inputs required for the production of HS code 470421 wood pulp include coniferous wood raw materials, such as 440320 Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, of coniferous wood and 440121 Wood in chips or particles, of coniferous wood. Additionally, the production process requires specialized chemical reagents, such as sulphite liquor, as well as energy sources and water for the pulping and bleaching operations.

The primary output of HS code 470421 is semi-bleached or bleached chemical wood pulp, which is a key input for the production of various paper and paperboard products. This wood pulp may be consumed by industries covered under codes such as 470311 Mechanical wood pulp, of coniferous wood, 470321 Chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, other than dissolving grades, of coniferous wood, and 480100 Newsprint, in rolls or sheets, among others, depending on the specific requirements of the end-use application.