Fiber Characteristic
Wood fibers from deciduous trees provide the primary structural component for high-quality printing and writing papers. The use of virgin hardwood furnish allows the papermaker to create a sheet with a very smooth surface and excellent opacity. This fiber source is distinct from softwood because the individual cells are shorter and more uniform.
Sheet Formation
Short fibers fill the gaps between larger structural elements to create a dense and even mat on the paper machine. When a mill utilizes virgin hardwood furnish, the resulting paper exhibits less blotchiness in the printed image. This uniformity is a requirement for high resolution commercial work where fine details must be preserved.
Resource Sourcing
Sustainable forestry practices ensure a steady supply of these fibers from managed eucalyptus or birch plantations. Managing a virgin hardwood furnish involves balancing the refining energy to develop the fiber strength without shortening the cells too much. This pulp grade is often blended with longer fibers to achieve a specific balance of stiffness and surface quality.
Mills track the certification of these fibers to meet the environmental requirements of the final customer. Accurate control of the furnish blend allows for the production of papers that meet the rigorous demands of modern high-speed printing presses.
