Manufacture of pulp

NACE code 17.11 covers the manufacture of pulp, a critical raw material for the paper and paperboard industry. Pulp production is a fundamental part of the broader paper and wood products sector, which plays a significant role in the global economy. The pulp manufacturing industry supplies essential inputs for a wide range of downstream applications, from printing and writing papers to packaging and tissue products.

The primary production technique for manufacturing pulp is the chemical pulping process. This involves treating wood or other cellulosic fibrous materials with chemicals to separate the cellulose fibers from the lignin and other components. The most common chemical pulping methods are the kraft process and the sulfite process, which produce high-quality pulp suitable for a variety of paper products.

The main inputs required for pulp manufacture include wood or other cellulosic raw materials, such as bamboo, straw, or recycled paper. Specialized machinery and equipment, such as digesters, washers, and drying equipment, are also essential for the pulping and processing operations. Chemical reagents, such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, are used in the kraft process, while sulfurous acid and bisulfite compounds are employed in the sulfite process.

The primary output of the pulp manufacturing industry is various grades of pulp, which are then consumed by the 17.12 Manufacture of paper and paperboard industry to produce a wide range of paper and paperboard products. Pulp can also be used in the production of 16.10 Sawmilling and planing of wood and other wood-based materials.