BR112021000294A2 - METHODS OF PRODUCTION OF PAPER OR CARDBOARD, IMPROVING AT LEAST ONE PROPERTY OF A SEMI-FLUID PULP FOLDER FOR USE IN A PAPER OR CARDBOARD MILL, OF PRODUCTION OF A PULP OR SEMI-FLUID PULP, PAPER OR CARDBOARD PRODUCTION OR FOR PRODUCTION OF A PULP OR SEMI-FLUID PULP, PULP OR SEMI-FLUID PULP OF TREATED PULP, PAPER OR CARD PRODUCT PRODUCED USING THE SEMI-FLUID PULP OF TREATED PULP, AND, MIXTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

disclosed here is a mixture comprising at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent. the mixture is useful in paper or board production methods and methods of improving the refinability and / or potential of pulp strengthening for use in a paper or board mill. in such methods, the mixture is added to a cellulosic material containing pulp slurry in the process of producing paper or cardboard products.

Description

1/50 METHODS OF IMPROVING PAPER OR CARDBOARD

AT LEAST ONE PROPERTY OF A FOLDER SEMI-FLUID PULP FOR USE IN A PAPER OR CARD MILL, FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SEMI-FLUID PULP OR PULP, FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A PULP OR SEMI-FLUID PULP, PULP OR SEMI-FLUID PULP OF TREATED PULP, PRODUCT

OF PAPER OR CARD PRODUCED USING THE TREATED PULP SEMI-FLUID PASTE, AND, MIXTURE Reference to the sequence listing

[001] This application contains a Sequence Listing in a computer-readable format. The computer-readable format is incorporated here by reference.

[002] SEQ ID NO: 1 is a Q120H variant of the mature endoglucanase shown as SEQ ID NO: 9 of WO 96/29397.

[003] SEQ ID No: 2 is a variant of endoglucanase.

AREA OF THE INVENTION

[004] The present invention relates to methods of producing paper or cardboard and methods of improving the refinability and / or potential of pulp strengthening for use in a paper or cardboard mill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[005] Processes for the preparation of paper, such as printing, writing, decorative, special paper or fabric and / or cardboard, such as Kraft coating, test coating, corrugated medium or cardboard box, through the use of pulps cellulose are known.

[006] To provide the desired properties of paper production in cellulosic fiber, the pulp is subjected to mechanical processing - called refining. Inside the refiner, the pulp is exposed to tension, compression and shear during transit between rotating metal plate systems

2/50 grooves and stators. Although effective, refining consumes a significant fraction of the total energy required during the production of paper and board.

[007] Enzymes are known in the art as a means of altering the response of cellulosic fiber to refining to reduce manufacturing costs and / or improve certain properties of paper and board. Natural or modified polymers are usually added after or in the absence of refining to improve pulp performance (eg, drainage, dehydration, retention, etc.) within the paper machine - reduce manufacturing costs - and provide properties structural and strength requirements in finished products.

[008] WO14058557 describes a method of producing paper or cardboard, in which an enzyme and a polymer are added during the process. WO17029238 relates to an aqueous surface treatment composition for paper and board comprising degraded starch. WO17034774 describes a method of producing paper and paper products where a composition comprising laccase, lipase and cationic fixing polymer is used as an additive for a lignocellulosic suspension.

[009] However, there is a finite degree to which known processes reduce manufacturing costs and / or add value to finished paper and board. There is thus a need for an improved process for preparing paper or board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect, the invention provides mixtures comprising at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent which is useful for paper or board production and for improving refinability and / or pulp strengthening potential for use in a paper or cardboard mill.

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[0011] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing paper or board comprising the steps of: a) introducing at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one agent strength in a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining, to form a treated pulp slurry, b) refining the treated pulp slurry to form a refined, treated pulp slurry and c) processing the treated pulp semi-fluid, refined on paper or cardboard.

[0012] In another aspect, the method of improving the refinability and / or potential to strengthen the pulp for use in a paper or cardboard mill comprises a step of introducing at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before or after refining in the paper or board mill.

[0013] In an additional aspect, the treated pulp slurry is refined to a target property selected from the group consisting of: reduced freedom from a refined, treated pulp slurry, increased tensile strength of a paper or board product, an increased structural property of a paper or cardboard product and combinations thereof.

[0014] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising: a) introducing at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least a resistance agent in a pulp or pulp semi-fluid prior to refining and

4/50 b) refining the treated pulp or slurry to form a refined, treated pulp or slurry.

[0015] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising: introduction of at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one agent of resistance in a pulp or semi-fluid pulp before refining or after refining to obtain a refined, treated pulp or semi-fluid pulp.

[0016] In one aspect, the mixture disclosed in this specification includes at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent. In another aspect, a modified liquid natural polymer disclosed in this specification is produced by mixing a natural polymer with at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and optionally at least one resistance agent. In yet another aspect, the treated, refined pulp slurries are produced by the process of introducing a dry pulp slurry once or never dry of a mixture comprising at least one carbohydrate active enzyme, at least one liquid natural polymer and , optionally, at least one resistance agent, prior to refining the pulp slurry and reaction of the mixture with the pulp slurry long enough to improve at least one property of the pulp slurry for use in the production of paper products or card. In yet another aspect, the treated, refined pulp slurries are produced by the process of introducing a dry pulp slurry once or never dry of a mixture comprising at least one carbohydrate active enzyme, at least one liquid natural polymer and , optionally, at least one resistance agent before refining the pulp slurry and reaction of the mixture with the pulp slurry for a time

5/50 sufficient so that the pulp slurries have a freedom of between 10 ml and 890 ml.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 shows the effect of pretreatments of different levels of LNP dosage and of two enzymes active in different carbohydrates on the tensile strength of sheets of paper prepared from the treated fiber. "EGA" and "EGB" denote SEQ ID 1 and SEQ ID 2 cellulases, respectively. The extensions "50" and "100" denote dosage levels of 50 grams per ton of dry fiber and 100 grams per ton of dry fiber, respectively.

[0018] Figure 2 shows the effect of pretreatments of different levels of LNP dosage and of two enzymes active in different carbohydrates on the index of resistance to breakage of sheets of paper prepared from the treated fiber. "EGA" and "EGB" denote SEQ ID 1 and SEQ ID 2 cellulases, respectively. The extensions "50" and "100" denote dosage levels of 50 grams per ton of dry fiber and 100 grams per ton of dry fiber, respectively.

[0019] Figure 3 shows the effect of the various pretreatments on the tensile strength indexes of sheets of paper prepared from fiber subject to varying degrees of PFI beat.

[0020] Figure 4 shows a comparison between the freedom of beaten pulps prepared from the pretreated fiber and the tensile strength indexes of sheets of paper prepared from the pretreated and beaten fiber.

[0021] Figure 5 shows the effect of pre-treatments on the volume of paper sheets prepared from fiber subject to varying degrees of PFI beat.

[0022] Figure 6 presents a comparison between the tensile strength indexes and the volume on sheets of paper prepared from

6/50 of fiber subjected to various pretreatments and varying degrees of PFI beat.

[0023] Figure 7 shows the effect of pre-treatments on the traction index of sheets of paper prepared from treated BEKP.

[0024] Figure 8 shows the effect of pre-treatments on the rupture index of sheets of paper prepared from treated BEKP.

[0025] Figure 9 shows the effect of pre-treatments on the tensile index of sheets of paper prepared from treated BEKP and refined BSKP at a ratio of 1: 1 (w / w).

DEFINITIONS

[0026] As used here, the singular forms "one", "one" and "o / a" include plural references unless otherwise indicated, expressly or by context. For example, "a" natural polymer includes one or more natural polymers, unless otherwise indicated, expressly or in context.

[0027] Within this specification, all recited ranges include all sub-ranges within the recited range.

[0028] Within the specification and claims, TAPPI refers to the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, which promulgates standards and guidelines for testing methods. Such methods are routinely used within the pulp and paper industry and are available at http://www.TAPPI.org/Publications-Standards/Standards-Methods.

[0029] Pulp is a fibrous lignocellulosic material prepared by chemical or mechanical separation of cellulosic fibers from wood, fiber cultures or residual paper. Consequently, the pulp is understood here as a fluid mixture of fiber and water used to produce paper.

[0030] Pulp semi-fluid paste refers to a fiber suspension within a liquid phase. The slurry can be formed using various suitable liquids (eg, water) and with various reasons for any of the components and therefore can be described by a range of values of

7/50 consistency based on weight or volume (eg, solids content, moisture content, etc.).

[0031] With specific reference to the method, the pulp slurry is the fiber suspension within a liquid phase before refining and adding at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least a resistance agent in the pulp slurry. The addition of at least one active carbohydrate enzyme, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent forms a treated pulp slurry, and the refining of the treated pulp slurry forms a semi-slurry. of treated, refined pulp.

[0032] Standard sheets of paper are sheets of paper prepared according to the TAPPI T 205 Standard: "Formation of sheets of paper for physical pulp tests".

[0033] Refining is the mechanical treatment of pulp fibers to give them the proper characteristics for paper production.

[0034] Without being limited by theory or definition, refining is believed to fibrillate the fiber surface and delaminate the fiber wall to influence the flexibility and moldability of the entire fiber. It is further theorized that increased flexibility, external fibrillation and surface area improve the potential for interfiber bonding associated with certain optical, structural and mechanical properties, with neighboring fibers during the production of paper and board.

[0035] Refining can be carried out by any appropriate process, illustrative processes include, but are not limited to, processes in which pulp slurries are refined between rotating and occasionally static metal elements from, for example, laboratory beaters or industrial disc or conical refiners.

[0036] Freedom is a measure of how quickly water is capable

8/50 to drain from a diluted fiber sample. The freedom of a sample decreases as the drainage rate decreases.

[0037] In some modalities there is a correlation between the values of freedom and a target level of pulp refining. In some other modalities, there is a correlation between the values of freedom and the ease of draining water from the wet network. In yet other modalities, where there is a correlation between freedom and ease of draining water from the wet network, freedom and ease of drainage are mostly highly correlated in the initial sections of the forming section of the paper machine.

[0038] Freedom can be measured by any standard method. An illustrative test for measuring freedom is based on dehydration by gravity through a screen. In such methods, the devices are designed so that an operator can judge the rate of dehydration by observing the volume of liquid collected in a graduated cylinder.

[0039] Fines are objects small enough to pass through a conical orifice having a maximum diameter of 76 micrometers. As related to the disclosed methods and claims, fines include, but are not limited to, small cellulosic materials, parenchyma cells and other small wood cells.

[0040] A natural polymer is a polymer occurring in nature and can, for example, have its origin in plants or animals. Examples of suitable natural polymers include, but are not limited to, starch, cellulose, proteins and natural rubber.

[0041] Liquid natural polymers (LNP) are natural polymers modified through at least one chemical conversion medium (eg, etherification, acetylation, propylation, phosphating, ethylation, acidulation, oxidation, enzymatic), physical and / or mechanical to obtain the natural polymer in liquid form.

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[0042] Resistance agents are natural or synthetic additives used to improve the bonding of fibers.

[0043] Lignocellulosic fibers are fibers from plant dry matter, such as wood, and comprise carbohydrate polymers, such as, e.g., cellulose and hemicellulose, and an aromatic polymer such as, e.g., lignin.

[0044] A wet end system is generally the part of the stock preparation and paper or cardboard machine that contacts a semi-fluid paste of fibers, fillers and / or other additives.

[0045] In modalities, the wet end system includes all unit operations between the brown stock washers and the press section where water is pressed from the wet fibrous network and any combination of subunits there.

[0046] A dry end system is the part of the papermaking system after the wet press section (i.e., roller dryer section).

[0047] Operationality describes the efficiency with which a finish - comprising a semi-fluid pulp from paper production fiber and various additives - undergoes consolidation in a fibrous network through the removal of water through elements of the paper or cardboard machine. Various properties of the pulp can influence the operability of the finish on the machine, for example, including, but not limited to, freedom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] Methods of producing paper or cardboard and compositions or mixtures useful for improving paper products are disclosed here. Methods of improving at least one property of a pulp slurry for use in a paper or board mill are also disclosed here. In one aspect, the improved property relates to improving the refinability of the slurry and / or

10/50 strengthening of the pulp slurry and / or the operability of the pulp slurry and / or at least a structural property of paper and board, including but not limited to the tensile strength and / or the volume of the paper or board .

[0049] It has been surprisingly discovered by the inventors that a combination of at least one liquid natural polymer and at least one carbohydrate active enzyme when applied to a pulp slurry prior to refining during a paper or board production process results in a pulp semi-fluid of treated, refined pulp with improved properties including strengthening of sheets of paper, tensile strength in unchanged or higher volume, greater freedom, decrease in the energy required during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper product or cardboard compared to refined pulp semi-fluids were not treated with said combination of natural liquid polymer (s) and active enzyme (s) in carbohydrates.

[0050] As illustrated in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9, the pre-treatment combined with liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided surprisingly an advantage in terms of strengthening sheets of paper over the control and any of the components added alone.

[0051] Surprisingly, the combined application of liquid natural polymer and cellulase prior to refining also provided the greatest tensile strength while providing greater freedom than the control or any of the components when added alone (see Figure 4).

[0052] Cellulases are known to improve the tensile strength of paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper, often at the expense of volume. When applied in concert with cellulase, the natural liquid polymer surprisingly mitigated the loss of volume (see Figure 5). Furthermore,

11/50 the pretreatment with the combination of liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided higher tensile strength at higher volume in resulting sheets of paper prepared from the refined fiber (see Figure 6).

[0053] The active enzyme in carbohydrates modifies the lignocellulosic fibers in the pulp semi-fluid. In turn, mixing the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer improves the properties of the pulp slurry in addition to the use of the natural liquid enzyme or polymer alone. Thus, in one aspect, the properties of the pulp slurry are improved after at least one active carbohydrate enzyme, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is added to a pulp slurry before refining. In another aspect, the properties of the pulp slurry are improved after at least one active carbohydrate enzyme and at least one liquid natural polymer are added to a pulp slurry before refining and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is used. added to the pulp slurry after refining. In an additional aspect, the strengthening potential of the pulp slurry is improved after at least one carbohydrate active enzyme, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is added to a pulp slurry before refining. In another aspect, the strengthening potential of the pulp slurry is improved after at least one active carbohydrate enzyme and at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry prior to refining and, optionally, at least one pulping agent. resistance is added to the pulp slurry after refining. Still in an additional aspect, the structural properties, for example voluminousness, of the paper or cardboard product, prepared from the refined, treated pulp semifluid pulp,

12/50 treated with at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent before refining are improved. In another aspect, the structural properties, for example bulk, of the paper or cardboard product, prepared from the refined pulp, treated, treated with at least one carbohydrate active enzyme and at least one liquid natural polymer are added to a pulp slurry prior to refining and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is added to the pulp slurry after refining. In yet an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is a cellulase, and the at least one natural liquid polymer is derived from starch. Such treatment can also be referred to as a pre-treatment.

[0054] Enzymes suitable for use in the method described here are enzymes active in carbohydrates, i.e., enzymes that modify, disrupt or create glycosidic bonds. In one respect, the active enzyme in carbohydrates is from the CAZy database, ie, a database of Active Enzymes in carbohydrates (also called CAZymes) known to the person skilled in the art and, for example, described by Lombard, V. et al. in “The carbohydrate-active enzymes database (CAZy) in 2013”. Nucleic Acids Research, 42 (D1): D490 – D495. In one respect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is cellulase. In an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is an endoglucanase. Still in an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is a GH45. In an additional aspect, the at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 99% identical to SEQ ID No: 1. Still in an additional aspect , the at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or has an amino acid sequence of up to 10, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes compared to SEQ ID No: 1.

13/50 Still in an additional aspect, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates has an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 99% identical to SEQ ID No: 2. Still in an additional aspect, the at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2 or has an amino acid sequence of up to 10, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9 or 10, amino acid changes compared to SEQ ID No: 2.

[0055] Liquid natural polymers suitable for use in the methods described here include natural polymers. Such polymers are natural polymers that have been modified through at least one chemical (eg etherification, acetylation, propylation, phosphating, ethylation, acidulation, oxidation, enzymatic) conversion method, physical and / or mechanical to obtain the natural polymer in liquid form. In one aspect, the liquid natural polymer is derived from one or more plant sources. In yet another aspect, the plant material is starch. In yet another aspect, starch can be derived from corn, waxy maize, cassava, waxy cassava, wheat, potatoes, rice and peas (or other source of legumes including but not limited to broad beans or lentils), as well as other rich variants in amylose or low in amylose from the plant source where a low in amylose source comprises no more than 10% amylose or less than 5% amylose or less than 3% amylose or essentially no amylose (about 0%) , and where amylose-rich sources comprise at least 40% amylose or at least 50% amylose or at least 60% amylose or at least 70% amylose or between about 40% and 80% amylose. In yet another aspect, the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy starch. In yet another aspect, the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy corn starch.

[0056] Resistance agents can also be added to natural liquid polymers. In one respect, the combination of at least one liquid natural polymer and at least one carbohydrate-active enzyme for

14/50 use in the present invention further comprises at least one resistance agent. In another aspect, resistance agents suitable for use with the disclosed methods and claims include, but are not limited to, natural or synthetic additives employed to improve fiber bonding. In yet another aspect, such additives include, but are not limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM), polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE), polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin (PAAE), cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), anionic polyacrylamide (APAM), amphoteric polyacrylamide, urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF).

[0057] In one aspect, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is added to the natural polymer during, before or after it has been converted to a natural liquid polymer. In another aspect, at least one active carbohydrate enzyme is added to the natural polymer after it has been converted to a liquid natural polymer. Natural polymers, for example starch, can be converted to liquid natural polymers using any suitable process, including but not limited to chemical conversion media (eg etherification, acetylation, propylation, phosphating, ethylation, acidification, oxidation, enzymatic), physical and / or mechanical to obtain the natural polymer in liquid form. The way in which at least one active carbohydrate enzyme is added to the polymer depends on the liquefaction process as the enzyme is added at an appropriate time to ensure that the enzyme remains functional within the natural liquid enzyme / polymer mixture. Considerations include, for example, but are not limited to, whether the at least one polymer active in carbohydrates will withstand the pH, temperature, pressure, shear or any combination thereof used during the liquefaction process. In one aspect, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is added to the natural liquid polymer after being converted from a natural polymer.

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[0058] As disclosed herein, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are added to a pulp slurry prior to refining the treated pulp slurry. In another aspect, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are added to a pulp slurry in the pulper of a non-integrated paper mill or a tower. stock or equivalent storage vessel, in an integrated paper mill.

[0059] In one aspect of the method, the pulp slurry is pre-incubated prior to the addition of at least one active carbohydrate enzyme, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent for between 1 minute and 1 hour or between 10 minutes and 40 minutes or between 15 minutes and 30 minutes. In a further aspect of the method, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent can be applied to a pulp slurry and left to react with the slurry during enough time to improve at least one property of the pulp slurry for the production of paper or cardboard or between 1 minute and 6 hours or between 10 minutes and 5 hours or between 20 minutes and 4 hours or between 30 minutes and 3 hours or between 40 minutes and 2 hours or between 40 minutes and 1 hour, in which the paper slurry was optionally preheated to 50 - 70 ºC such as up to about 60 ºC before the addition of at least one carbohydrate active enzyme, at least a liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent. In an additional aspect, the reaction between the mixture of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent and the pulp slurry is stopped by the inactivation of the enzyme by, for example, example, adjusting the

16/50 temperature of the treated pulp slurry or pH adjustment of the treated pulp slurry.

In an additional aspect, the enzyme in the treated slurry is inactivated by the addition of sodium hypochlorite.

Still in an additional aspect of the method, at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are applied to a pulp slurry at the same time or sequentially in the space between 1 second and 6 hours to allow interaction between the active enzyme (s) in carbohydrates, natural liquid polymer (s) and pulp before refining the treated pulp slurry.

In another aspect, at least one enzyme, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are added sequentially within one hour of each other, as well as between 1 second and five minutes each. others.

In yet another aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are combined as a mixture and then added together in a common composition to the slurry. pulp.

In yet another aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent can be mixed in an addition pipeline or other supply line that feeds the resulting mixture to a introduction port, such as a port on a slurry processing unit or before the suction side of a pump between units.

In a further aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, the at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are combined in a single suspension before being added to the pulp slurry.

In yet another aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are

17/50 added simultaneously to the pulp from separate, different introduction ports in the same processing unit. In yet another aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are introduced sequentially as one or more addition streams from the same introduction ports or locations in the papermaking system or introduction ports or locations in the papermaking system differ in a short period of time In aspects using sequential addition of currents, the components of at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural polymer liquid and, optionally, at least one resistance agent are separately added in time with both components placed in contact with the pulp within the pulp slurry within a short period of time, for example, within about 5 minutes from each other or within about 4 minutes of each other or within approximately 3 minutes of each other or within approximately 2 minutes of each other or within about 1 minute of each other or within approximately 30 seconds of each other or within shorter periods of time. In another aspect, after contacting the pulp with at least one active carbohydrate enzyme, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent, the resulting treated pulp slurry can be further processed, for example by refining, and used in the formation of paper or cardboard.

[0060] In one aspect, the mixture comprising at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistant ingredient is added to the pulp slurry at a temperature between about 30 degrees and about 80 degrees centigrade or between about 40 degrees and about 70 degrees centigrade or between about 50 degrees and about 60 degrees centigrade. In another aspect,

18/50 the mixture comprising at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistant ingredient is added to the pulp slurry at a pH between about 4.0 and about 10 or between about 5.0 and about 9.0 or between about 6.0 and about 8.0. In yet another aspect, at least one natural liquid polymer is added to the pulp slurry or mixture comprising at least one active carbohydrate enzyme and at least one optional strength additive in an amount between 0.01% and 5 , 0% by weight of the pulp being treated or between 0.05% and 2.0% by weight of the pulp being treated or between 0.10% and 2.0% by weight of the pulp being treated or between 0.10% and 1.0% by weight of the pulp being treated or about 0.5% by weight of the pulp being treated. In yet another aspect, at least one active carbohydrate enzyme is added to the pulp slurry or to the mixture of at least one natural liquid polymer and the optional resistance agent in an amount between 25 g and 200 g per metric ton of dry fiber or between 0.005% and 0.1% of dry fiber. By definition, pulp slurries can have various concentrations, but in embodiments the pulp slurry comprises between 1% and 20% fiber or between 5% and 15% fiber or about 10% fiber. In addition, by definition, pulp slurries may use various suspended liquids, such liquids may vary in relation to pH as described above. In embodiments, the suspension fluid is deionized water, which has a pH between pH 6.0 and 8.0. In embodiments, the suspension fluid is mill process water such as, for example, fresh water or water recycled from within the mill and / or recovered from water treatment operations, and the pH is between pH 6.0 and 8.0.

[0061] In one aspect of the method, the treated pulp slurry is refined to reduce its freedom. In another aspect, freedom, as measured by a freedom tester (for example as available from

19/50 of the TAPPI T 227 Test Method om-99, “Pulp Freedom (Canadian Standard Method)”), is between 20 mL and 890 mL and all intermediate sub-ranges.

[0062] In one aspect of the method, the treated, refined pulp slurry increases the tensile strength of the paper or board product. In another aspect, the tensile strength of the product, as measured by the tensile testing machine (for example as available from TAPPI T 494, “Tensile Strength Properties of Paper and Cardboard (Using Constant Rate of Stretching Device) ”) Is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g and all intermediate sub-ranges. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength of the paper or board product varies with the refining amount of the treated pulp slurry. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g when over a range of 0 to 1600 revolutions of a PFI mill. As illustrated in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9, the pretreatment combined with at least one natural liquid polymer and at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has surprisingly provided an advantage in terms of strengthening sheets of paper over control and any of the components added alone. In another aspect, surprisingly, the combined application of at least one natural liquid polymer and at least one active carbohydrate enzyme added to the pulp slurry prior to refining also provided greater tensile strength while providing greater freedom than control or whatever. one of the components when added alone, as shown in Figure 4. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength index is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g over a range of freedoms between 390 ml and 490 ml.

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[0063] In one aspect of the method, the treated, refined pulp slurry increases or preserves the volume of the paper or board product in relation to the paper or board products prepared after treatment with carbohydrate enzyme alone. In an additional aspect, the paper or board product is a standard sheet of paper. In another aspect, the volume is calculated by dividing the thickness of a sheet by its base weight is between 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g and all intermediate ranges. In yet another aspect, this result is unexpected since cellulases are known to improve the tensile strength of paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper, at the expense of volume. But when applied in concert, cellulose and the natural liquid polymer surprisingly mitigated the loss of volume, as shown in Figure 5. In modalities, the volume of paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of paper standard, using treated pulp slurry is within 7.5% of the same paper or board products, such as, eg, standard paper sheets, using untreated pulp slurry at the same level of refining or within 7% of the same paper or cardboard products, such as, eg, standard paper sheets, using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 6.5% of the same paper products or cardboard, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper, using untreated pulp semi-fluid at the same level of refining or within 6% of the same paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper, using untreated pulp slurry at the same level of refining or den 5.5% of the same paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, standard paper sheets, using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 5% of the same paper products or cardboard, such as, for example, standard paper sheets, using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within about 7.5% to 0.1% of the same paper or cardboard products, such

21/50 such as, for example, sheets of standard paper, using untreated pulp semi-fluid at the same level of refining. In yet another aspect, the pretreatment with the combination of liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided higher tensile strength and higher volume in resulting sheets of paper prepared from the treated, refined pulp slurry, as shown in Figure 6 In modalities, the paper or cardboard product will have a volume of between 0.25 cm3 / g and 0.35 cm3 / g or between 0.28 cm3 / g and 0.34 cm3 / g or between 0.29 cm3 / g and 0 , 33 cm3 / g while having a tensile strength of between 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g.

[0064] In one aspect of the method, with reference to Figures 2 and 8, the paper or cardboard products produced using the refined treated pulp slurry have a higher breaking strength index at the same level of refining. In another aspect, the index of resistance to breakage of sheets of paper produced from treated, refined pulp is between about 3 and about 3.5 kPa m2 / g.

[0065] The method described here can be practiced within conventional paper production operations with modifications that can be easily made in view of the present disclosure. The method can be practiced, for example, in wet end operations before the refiner as part of conventional paper production operations with modifications that can be easily done in view of the present disclosure. The method can employ many different types of pulp for paper production or combinations thereof. The method can be practiced to produce any grade, for example, including, but not limited to, printing and writing paper, medium grade paper, cardboard, cover card, tissue paper, towel paper and molded packaging.

[0066] This specification further discloses a method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising: a) introduction of at least one active enzyme in

22/50 carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a pulp or pulp slurry prior to refining and b) pulp refining or pulp slurry treated to form a slurry or slurry of treated, refined pulp.

[0067] This specification further discloses a method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising: introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a pulp or slurry of pulp before stopping or after refining to obtain a refined, treated pulp or slurry of slurry.

[0068] This specification further discloses a mixture comprising an enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, a resistance agent. In one aspect, the mixture is produced by the process of mixing at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and optionally at least one strengthening agent. In another aspect, the mixture is produced by the additional process of contacting at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer.

[0069] In one aspect, the carbohydrate active enzyme from the CAZy database, ie, a database of Active Carbohydrate Enzymes (also called CAZymes) known to the person skilled in the art and, for example, described by Lombard, V. et al. in “The carbohydrate-active enzymes database (CAZy) in 2013”. Nucleic Acids Research, 42 (D1): D490 – D495. In another aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is cellulase. In an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is an endoglucanase. Still in an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is a GH45. In an additional aspect, the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates has an amino acid sequence

23/50 which is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 99% identical to SEQ ID No: 1. Yet in an additional aspect, at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has the SEQ amino acid sequence ID No: 1 or has an amino acid sequence of up to 10, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes compared to SEQ ID No: 1. Still in an additional aspect, the at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 99% identical to SEQ ID No: 2. Still in an additional aspect, the at least one active carbohydrate enzyme has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2 or has an amino acid sequence of up to 10, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes compared to SEQ ID No: 2.

[0070] Liquid natural polymers suitable for use in the mixture include natural polymers. Such polymers are natural polymers that have been modified by at least one of chemical (e.g. etherification, acetylation, propylation, phosphating, ethylation, acidulation, oxidation, enzymatic) conversion methods, physical and / or mechanical to obtain the polymer natural in liquid form. In one aspect, the liquid natural polymer is derived from one or more plant sources. In yet another aspect, the plant material is starch. In yet another aspect, starch can be derived from corn, waxy maize, cassava, waxy cassava, wheat, potatoes, rice and peas (or other source of legumes including but not limited to broad beans or lentils), as well as other rich variants in amylose or low in amylose from the plant source where a low in amylose source comprises no more than 10% amylose or less than 5% amylose or less than 3% amylose or essentially no amylose (about 0%) , and where amylose-rich sources comprise at least 40% amylose or at least 50% amylose or at least 60% amylose or at least 70% amylose or between about 40% and 80% amylose. In yet another aspect, the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy starch. In yet another

24/50 modality, the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy corn starch.

[0071] In one aspect, resistance agents that can optionally be used in the mixture include, but are not limited to, natural or synthetic additives employed to improve fiber bonding. In another aspect, such agents include, but are not limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM), polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE), polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin (PAAE), cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), anionic polyacrylamide (CPAM), anionic polyacrylamide (CPAM) APAM), amphoteric polyacrylamide, urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF).

[0072] In one aspect, the specification discloses a treated pulp slurry and a refined, treated pulp slurry. In another aspect, the specification discloses a treated pulp slurry produced by the process of introduction into a pulp slurry prior to refining a mixture comprising at least one carbohydrate active enzyme, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining and reaction of the mixture with the pulp slurry long enough to improve at least one property of the pulp slurry for use in the production of paper. In a further aspect, the treated, refined pulp slurry produced according to the previous process has a freedom of between 20 ml and 890 ml and all intermediate sub-ranges.

[0073] In one aspect, the mixture comprised of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is used to produce a refined, treated pulp slurry that increases the tensile strength of the paper or cardboard product. In another aspect, the product's tensile strength index, as measured by a

25/50 traction, is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g and all the intermediate sub-ranges. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength index of the paper or board product varies with the amount of refining of the treated pulp slurry. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g when over a range of 0 to 1600 revolutions of a PFI mill. As illustrated in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9, the pretreatment of the pulp slurry with the mixture comprising at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and at least one liquid natural polymer has surprisingly provided an advantage in terms of sheets of paper relative to the control and any of the components added alone. In another aspect, surprisingly, the combined application of at least one natural liquid polymer and at least one active carbohydrate enzyme added to the pulp slurry prior to refining also provided greater tensile strength while providing greater freedom than control or whatever. one of the components when added alone, as shown in Figure 4. In yet another aspect, the tensile strength index is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g or between 20 Nm / g and 80 Nm / g or between 40 and 70 Nm / g or between about 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g over a range of freedoms between 390 ml and 490 ml.

[0074] In one aspect, the mixture comprising at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is used to increase or conserve the volume of the paper or board products in relation to to paper or cardboard products prepared after enzyme treatment in carbohydrates. In an additional aspect, the paper or board product is a standard sheet of paper. In another aspect, the volume is calculated by

26/50 dividing the thickness of a leaf by its base weight.

In modalities, the volume of the paper or cardboard product is between 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g and all intermediate sub-ranges.

In yet another aspect, this result is unexpected since cellulases are known to improve the tensile strength of paper or cardboard products at the expense of volume.

But when applied in concert, cellulose and liquid natural polymer surprisingly mitigate the loss of volume, as shown in Figure 5. In modalities, the volume of paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of paper standard, using treated pulp slurry is within 7.5% of the same paper or board products, such as, eg, standard paper sheets using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 7% of the same paper or board products, such as, for example, standard sheets of paper using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 6.5% of the same paper or board products, such as, for example, standard sheets of paper using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 6% of them using untreated pulp slurry at the same refining level or within 5.5% of the same paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper using untreated pulp slurry at the same level of refining or within 5% of the same paper or board products, such as, eg, sheets of standard paper using untreated pulp slurry at the same level refining process or within about 7.5% to 0.1% of the same paper or board products, such as, for example, sheets of standard paper using untreated pulp slurry at the same level of refining.

In yet another aspect, the pretreatment with the combination of liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided higher tensile strength at higher volume in resulting sheets of paper prepared from the refined fiber, as shown in Figure 6. In modalities, the paper or cardboard products,

27/50 such as, for example, standard sheets of paper will have a volume of between 0.25 cm3 / g and 0.35 cm3 / g or between 0.28 cm3 / g and 0.34 cm3 / g or between 0, 29 cm3 / g and 0.33 cm3 / g while having a tensile strength of between 45 Nm / g and 65 Nm / g.

[0075] The pulps and pulp semi-fluids used in accordance with aspects of the disclosure may comprise virgin and / or recovered fibers. Any fiber other than wood, softwood or hardwood typically used in the paper industry can be employed, including, but not limited to, bleached and unbleached chemical pulp. Non-limiting examples of fibers include but are not limited to: Bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber (BEK), Bleached acacia kraft fiber (BAK), Bleached hardwood kraft fiber (BHK), Unbleached hardwood kraft fiber (UBHK) , Northern bleached softwood fiber (NBSK), Southern bleached softwood kraft fiber (SBSK), Unbleached softwood kraft fiber (UBSK), Old corrugated container (OCC), Mixed office waste (MOW), De-bleached cellulose (DIP) and fiber other than bleached and unbleached wood.

[0076] In one aspect, the treated pulp slurry can be used to produce a paper or a cardboard. In another aspect, the paper or board produced from the treated pulp slurry can be used to produce paper or board of any grade. In yet another aspect, the paper produced from the treated pulp slurry can be used to produce from the selected grades of the group consisting of printing and writing paper, medium, cardboard, lining card, tissue paper, towel and molded packaging .

PREFERENTIAL ASPECTS

[0077] Preferred aspects of the invention are given below.

[0078] 1. A method of producing paper or board comprising:

28/50 a) introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining, b) refining of the treated pulp slurry to form a refined, treated pulp slurry and c) processing of the treated pulp slurry, refined on paper or cardboard.

[0079] 2. The method according to aspect 1, in which the treated pulp slurry is refined to a target property selected from the group consisting of: reduced freedom of the refined, treated pulp slurry, increased tensile strength strength of the paper or board product, increased structural property of the paper or board product, required energy decreased during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or board product and a combination thereof.

[0080] 3. The method according to aspect 1 or 2, in which the treated pulp slurry is refined to reduced freedom.

[0081] 4. The method according to any of aspects 1-3, in which freedom is measured according to the Canadian standard procedure (TAPPI test method T 227 om-99) and is between 30 mL and 890 mL .

[0082] 5. The method according to any of aspects 1-4, in which the treated pulp slurry is refined to an increased tensile strength.

[0083] 6. The method according to any of aspects 1-5, in which the tensile strength is an index of tensile strength, which is measured according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g.

[0084] 7. The method according to any of aspects 1-6, in which the treated pulp slurry is refined to a property

29/50 increased structural product of paper or cardboard.

[0085] 8. The method according to any of aspects 1-7, in which the structural property is the volume of the paper or cardboard, which is measured according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g.

[0086] 9. The method according to any of aspects 1-8, wherein the treated pulp slurry is refined to a target property, which is a decreased energy required during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or cardboard product.

[0087] 10. The method according to any of aspects 1-9, wherein the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are introduced as two separate addition streams.

[0088] 11. The method according to any of aspects 1-9, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are combined in a suspension before being introduced into the pulp slurry. .

[0089] 12. The method according to any of aspects 1-11, wherein the liquid natural polymer is derived from at least one plant source.

[0090] 13. The method according to any of aspects 1-12, in which the vegetable source is starch from a source selected from the group consisting of corn, waxy maize, cassava, waxy cassava, wheat, potato, rice and / or legume and its variants rich or poor in amylose.

[0091] 14. The method according to any of aspects 1-13, in which at least one resistance agent is introduced into a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining.

[0092] 15. The method according to any of aspects 1-14, in which the at least one resistance agent is selected from the group

30/50 consisting of: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM), polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE), polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin (PAAE), cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), anionic polyamide (APAM), polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, polyamide, urea, polyamide, urea, polyamide, urea, polyamide, urea, polyamide, urea, Formaldehyde (UF) and Melamineformaldehyde (MF).

[0093] 16. The method according to any of aspects 1-15, wherein the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy starch.

[0094] 17. The method according to any of aspects 1-16, wherein the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy corn starch.

[0095] 18. The method according to any of aspects 1-17, in which the enzyme active in carbohydrates is still active when the liquid natural polymer is added.

[0096] 19. The method according to any of aspects 1-18, in which the active enzyme in carbohydrates consists of only one component.

[0097] 20. The method according to any of aspects 1-19, in which the active enzyme in carbohydrates is a cellulase.

[0098] 21. The method according to any of aspects 1-20, wherein the cellulase is an endoglucanase.

[0099] 22. The method according to aspect 21, wherein the endoglucanase is a GH45.

[00100] 23. The method according to any of aspects 21-22, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

[00101] 24. The method according to any of aspects 21-23, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2, where up to 10, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, were introduced in the sequence.

31/50

[00102] 25. The method according to aspect 24, in which the amino acid changes are conservative amino acid substitutions or insertions that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00103] 26. The method according to any of aspects 21-25, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

[00104] 27. The method according to aspect 23, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.

[00105] 28. The method according to aspect 24, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1, where up to 10, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, have been introduced in SEQ ID No: 1.

[00106] 29. The method according to aspect 28, wherein the amino acid changes are conservative amino acid substitutions or insertions that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00107] 30. The method according to aspect 26, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.

[00108] 31. The method according to aspect 26, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2.

[00109] 32. The method according to aspect 23, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2.

[00110] 33. The method according to aspect 24, in which the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2, in which up to

32/50 10, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, have been introduced in SEQ ID No: 2.

[00111] 34. The method according to aspect 33, in which the amino acid changes are conservative amino acid substitutions or insertions that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00112] 35. The method according to any one of aspects 1-34, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry in the pulper of a mill. non-integrated paper or a stock tower or storage vessel, in an integrated paper mill.

[00113] 36. The method according to any of aspects 1-35, wherein the pulp slurry is treated with at least one active carbohydrate enzyme and at least one natural liquid polymer over a period of time until 6 hours.

[00114] 37. The method according to any of aspects 1-36, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry at a temperature of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, at a temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or a temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

[00115] 38. The method according to any of aspects 1-37, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry at a pH of about 4.0 to about 10, at a pH of about 5.0 to about 9.0 or at a pH of about 6.0 to about 8.0.

[00116] 39. The method according to any of aspects 1-38, in which the liquid natural polymer is in a dose of 0.01% to 5.0% - such

33/50 as about 0.5% - of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00117] 40. The method according to any of aspects 1-39, wherein the natural liquid polymer is in a dose of 0.05% to 2.0% of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00118] 41. The method according to any of aspects 1-40, wherein the liquid natural polymer is in a dose of 0.10% to 2.0% of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00119] 42. The method according to any of aspects 1-41, wherein the liquid natural polymer is in a dose of 0.10% to 1.0% of the total dry solids weight in the pulp being treated.

[00120] 43. The method according to any of aspects 1-42, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates is in an amount of 25 g to 200 g of enzyme product formulated per dry metric ton of fiber.

[00121] 44. The method according to any of aspects 1-43, wherein the at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates is in an amount of 0.005% to 0.1% of dry fiber.

[00122] 45. The method according to any of aspects 1-44, wherein the fiber is a fiber for paper production.

[00123] 46. The method according to any of aspects 1-45, in which the fiber is selected from the group consisting of bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber (BEK), bleached acacia kraft fiber (BAK), wood kraft fiber bleached hard (BHK), unbleached hardwood kraft fiber (UHK), northern bleached softwood kraft fiber (NBSK), southern bleached softwood kraft fiber (SBSK), unbleached softwood kraft fiber (UBSK) ), Old corrugated container (OCC), Mixed office waste (MOW), De-pulp (DIP) and different bleached and unbleached wood fibers.

[00124] 47. The method according to any of aspects 1-46,

34/50 where the fiber is bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber.

[00125] 48. The method according to any of aspects 1-47, in which the pulp, paper or cardboard is selected from the group consisting of: printing paper, writing paper, corrugated medium, cardboard, covering card ( kraft and test), scarf, towel, cardboard box and molded packaging.

[00126] 49. The method according to any of aspects 1-48, wherein the method is used in paper mills or pulp mills.

[00127] 50. The method according to any of aspects 1-49, in which the method is used in a pulp mill in a unitary operation in the final brown dough washer, in the pulp dryer, in the wet stock tower or paper storage vessel, in the cardboard mill or between these unit operations.

[00128] 51. The method according to any of aspects 1-49, wherein the method is used in a paper mill in wet end systems.

[00129] 52. The method according to aspect 51, in which the method is used to produce grades of paper selected from the group consisting of: printing & writing paper, medium, cardboard, cover card, cardboard box, scarf, towel and molded packaging.

[00130] 53. The method according to any of aspects 1-52, wherein the paper or cardboard product is a standard sheet of paper.

[00131] 54. A method of improving at least one property of a pulp slurry for use in a paper or board mill, in which at least one enzyme is active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent is introduced into a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining in the paper or board mill thereby producing a treated pulp slurry having at least one

35/50 improved property.

[00132] 55. The method of aspect 54, in which the improved property is one or more properties selected from the group consisting of: reduced freedom of the treated, refined pulp slurry, increased tensile strength of the paper or board product produced from the treated slurry, increased structural property of the paper or cardboard product produced from the treated pulp slurry, decreased energy required during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or board product and a combination thereof.

[00133] 56. The method of aspect 54 or 55, wherein the treated pulp slurry is further refined to further reduce the freedom of the treated pulp slurry.

[00134] 57. The method according to any of aspects 54-56, wherein the treated pulp slurry is refined to reduced freedom.

[00135] 58. The method according to any of aspects 54-57, in which freedom is measured according to the Canadian standard procedure (TAPPI T 227 test method om-99) and is between 30 mL and 890 mL .

[00136] 59. The method according to any of aspects 54-58, wherein the treated pulp slurry is refined to an increased tensile strength.

[00137] 60. The method according to any of aspects 54-59, in which the tensile strength is an index of tensile strength, which is measured according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g.

[00138] 61. The method according to any of aspects 54-60, wherein the treated pulp slurry is refined to an increased structural property of the paper or board product.

[00139] 62. The method according to any of the aspects 54-61,

36/50 where the structural property is the volume property which is calculated according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g.

[00140] 63. The method according to any of aspects 54-62, wherein the treated pulp slurry is refined to a target property, which is a decreased energy required during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or cardboard product.

[00141] 64. The method according to any of aspects 54-63, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are introduced as two separate addition streams.

[00142] 65. The method according to any of aspects 54-63, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are combined in a suspension before being introduced into the pulp slurry.

[00143] 66. The method according to any of aspects 54-65, in which the liquid natural polymer is derived from at least one plant source.

[00144] 67. The method according to any of aspects 54-66, in which the vegetable source is starch from a source selected from the group consisting of maize, waxy maize, cassava, waxy cassava, wheat, potato, rice and / or pea and its variants rich or poor in amylose.

[00145] 68. The method according to any of aspects 54-67, wherein at least one resistance agent is introduced into a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining.

[00146] 69. The method according to any of aspects 54-68, in which at least one resistance agent is selected from the group consisting of: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM), polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE), Polyaminoamide-Epichlorohydrin

37/50 (PAAE), Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM), Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM), Amphoteric Polyacrylamide, Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) and Melamine-formaldehyde (MF).

[00147] 70. The method according to any of aspects 54-69, wherein the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy starch.

[00148] 71. The method according to any of the aspects 54-70, wherein the liquid natural polymer is derived from a waxy corn starch.

[00149] 72. The method according to any of aspects 54-71, in which the enzyme active in carbohydrates is still active when the liquid natural polymer is added.

[00150] 73. The method according to any of aspects 54-72, in which the enzyme active in carbohydrates consists of only one component.

[00151] 74. The method according to any of the aspects 54-73, in which the enzyme active in carbohydrates is a cellulase.

[00152] 75. The method according to aspect 74, wherein the cellulase is an endoglucanase.

[00153] 76. The method according to aspect 75, wherein the endoglucanase is a GH45.

[00154] 77. The method according to any of aspects 74-75, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

[00155] 78. The method according to any of aspects 74-76, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2, where up to 10, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, were introduced in the sequence.

[00156] 79. The method according to aspect 78, in which the amino acid changes are substitutions or insertions of amino acids

38/50 conservatives that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00157] 80. The method according to any of aspects 74-77, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

[00158] 81. The method according to any of aspects 74-79, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.

[00159] 82. The method according to either aspect 74-79 or 81, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1, where up to 10, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, have been introduced in SEQ ID No: 1.

[00160] 83. The method according to aspect 82, in which the amino acid changes are conservative amino acid substitutions or insertions that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00161] 84. The method according to either aspect 74-77 or 80, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 1.

[00162] 85. The method according to any of aspects 74-79, wherein the endoglucanase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least at least 90% or at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2.

[00163] 86. The method according to either aspect 74-79 or 85, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2, where up to 10, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, amino acid changes, such as substitutions, have been introduced in SEQ ID No: 2.

[00164] 87. The method according to aspect 86, in which the

39/50 amino acid changes are conservative amino acid substitutions or insertions that do not significantly affect the folding and / or activity of endoglucanase.

[00165] 88. The method according to either aspect 74-77 or 80, wherein the endoglucanase has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 2.

[00166] 89. The method according to any of aspects 54-88, in which at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry in the pulper of a mill. non-integrated paper or a stock tower or storage vessel, in an integrated paper mill.

[00167] 90. The method according to any of aspects 54-89, in which the pulp slurry is treated with at least one active carbohydrate enzyme and at least one liquid natural polymer over a period of time until 6 hours.

[00168] 91. The method according to any of aspects 54-90, wherein the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry at a temperature of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, at a temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or a temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

[00169] 92. The method according to any of aspects 54-91, in which at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer are added to a pulp slurry at a pH of about 4.0 to about 10, at a pH of about 5.0 to about 9.0 or at a pH of about 6.0 to about 8.0.

[00170] 93. The method according to any of the aspects 54-92, in which the liquid natural polymer is in a dose of 0.01% to 5.0% - such

40/50 as about 0.5% - of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00171] 94. The method according to any of aspects 54-93, in which the natural liquid polymer is in a dose of 0.05% to 2.0% of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00172] 95. The method according to any of the aspects 54-94, in which the natural liquid polymer is in a dose of 0.10% to 2.0% of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00173] 96. The method according to any of the aspects 54-95, in which the liquid natural polymer is in a dose of 0.10% to 1.0% of the weight of the total dry solids in the pulp being treated.

[00174] 97. The method according to any of aspects 54-96, in which at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates is in an amount of 25 g to 200 g of enzyme product formulated per dry metric ton of fiber.

[00175] 98. The method according to any of the aspects 54-97, in which at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates is in an amount of 0.005% to 0.1% of dry fiber.

[00176] 99. The method according to any of the aspects 54-98, in which the fiber is a fiber for paper production.

[00177] 100. The method according to any of aspects 54- 99, in which the fiber is selected from the group consisting of bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber (BEK), bleached acacia kraft fiber (BAK), wood kraft fiber bleached hard (BHK), unbleached hardwood kraft fiber (UHK), northern bleached softwood kraft fiber (NBSK), southern bleached softwood kraft fiber (SBSK), unbleached softwood kraft fiber (UBSK) ), Old corrugated container (OCC), Mixed office waste (MOW), De-pulp (DIP) and different bleached and unbleached wood fibers.

[00178] 101. The method according to any of the aspects 54-

41/50 100, where the fiber is bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber.

[00179] 102. The method according to any of the aspects 54-101, in which the pulp, paper or cardboard is selected from the group consisting of: printing paper, writing paper, corrugated medium, coating card (kraft and test), tissue, towel and cardboard box.

[00180] 103. The method according to any of aspects 54-102, wherein the method is used in paper mills or pulp mills.

[00181] 104. The method according to any of aspects 54-103, in which the method is used in a pulp mill in a unitary operation in the final brown dough washer, in the pulp dryer, in the wet stock tower or paper storage vessel, in the cardboard mill or between these unit operations.

[00182] 105. The method according to any of aspects 54-103, wherein the method is used in a paper mill in wet end systems.

[00183] 106. The method according to aspect 105, in which the method is used to produce grades of paper selected from the group consisting of: printing & writing paper, medium, lining card, handkerchief and towel.

[00184] 107. The method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising: a) introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a pulp or semi-fluid pulp prior to refining and b) refining the pulp or semi-fluid pulp treated to form a refined, treated pulp or semi-fluid pulp.

[00185] 108. A method of producing paper or paperboard or for producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, comprising:

42/50 introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a pulp or semi-fluid pulp before stopping or after refining to obtain a pulp or paste treated pulp semifluid to form a refined, treated pulp semifluid.

[00186] 109. The method of aspect 108 further comprising any of aspects 1 to 107.

[00187] 110. A mixture comprising at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, a resistance agent.

[00188] 111. A mixture for use in the production of paper or board comprising at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, a resistance agent.

[00189] 112. The mixture according to aspect 110 or 111 for use in the production of a pulp slurry having a freedom, measured according to the Canadian standard procedure (TAPPI T 227 om-99 test method), from between 30 ml and 890 ml.

[00190] 113. The mixture according to any of the 110-112 aspects for use in the production of a paper or cardboard product having a tensile strength, as measured by the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, out of 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g.

[00191] 114. The mixture according to any of the aspects 110-113 for use in the production of a paper or cardboard product having a volume, calculated according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, from 0 , 1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g.

[00192] 115. A pulp or semi-fluid pulp produced by the method according to any of aspects 1-109.

[00193] 116. A pulp or semi-fluid pulp treated having a freedom, measured according to Canadian standard procedure

43/50 (test method TAPPI T 227 om-99), between 30 ml and 890 ml.

[00194] 117. A paper or cardboard product produced using pulp slurry treated according to aspect 115 or 116 having a tensile strength, as measured by the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, of between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g.

[00195] 118. A paper or cardboard product produced using pulp slurry treated according to any of the 115-117 aspects having a volume, calculated according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, among 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g.

[00196] 119. The paper or cardboard product according to aspect 117 or 118, which is selected from the group consisting of: printing paper, writing paper, medium grade paper, cardboard, cover card, tissue paper , towel paper and molded packaging.

[00197] The invention is further described by the following examples which are not intended to be limiting in any way; a person skilled in the art would understand that variations can be made to the methods and products disclosed in the examples that would be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 - Pretreatment of cellulosic fiber with a combination of liquid natural polymer and enzyme

[00198] Ten pulp samples - equivalent to 24 grams of bleached kiln dried eucalyptus kraft fiber each - were prepared by diluting the pulp fiber never dried to a consistency of 10% w / w with deionized water. The resulting pulp pastes (pH 7.8) were then pre-incubated for 20 minutes at 40 ° C. After pre-incubation, a liquid composition of liquid natural polymer, LNP, derived from waxy corn starch, cellulase A of SEQ ID No: 1 from Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and / or cellulase B of SEQ ID No: 2 from Novozymes (Bagsvaerd,

44/50 Denmark) were added to the 10 preheated aliquots according to table 1. Table 1: Sample # Identifier LNP (kg / t) Cellulase A (g / t) Cellulase B (g / t) 1 Control - - - 2 EGA50 - 50 - 3 EGA100 - 100 - 4 EGB50 - - 50 5 EGB100 - - 100 6 LNP 5 - - 7 LNP + EGA50 5 50 - 8 LNP + EGA100 5 100 - 9 LNP + EGB50 5 - 50 10 LNP + EGB100 5 - 100

[00199] When applicable, formulated liquid natural polymer was added to provide 5 kg of dry waxy corn starch per metric ton of kilned bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber. When applicable, cellulases formulated from SEQ ID No: 1 and SEQ ID No: 2 were added to provide 50 or 100 g of cellulase formulated per metric ton of kiln dried fiber. All pulps were incubated for 60 min at 40 ºC and pH 7.8 inside a boiler reactor immersed in a water bath. Continuous stirring was provided by an impeller.

[00200] After incubation, sodium hypochlorite was added to each pulp to deactivate the enzyme. Note: All pulps received the same amount of hypochlorite (20 ppm of active chlorine).

[00201] All pulps were diluted to a consistency of 0.3% for determinations of freedom according to the TAPPI T 227 om-99 standard. Each pulp was used to prepare six sheets of 1.2 g (60 g / m2) paper according to the TAPPI T 205 standard. according to the respective TAPPI standard procedures. Results of

[00202] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the pre-treatment combined with liquid natural polymer and any of the cellulases provided surprisingly an advantage in terms of

45/50 strengthening of sheets of paper in relation to the control and any of the components added alone. Example 2 - Pretreatment in a cellulosic fiber pre-refiner with a combination of liquid natural polymer and enzyme

[00203] Thirteen pulp semi-fluid pastes were prepared by diluting 24 g of dry equivalents in the bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber oven, which never dried to a consistency of 10% w / w with deionized water. The resulting pulp pastes (pH 7.8) were then pre-incubated separately for 20 minutes at 40 ° C. After pre-incubation, the pulp slurry was divided into a group of four and three groups of three. The first group of four served as the untreated control group (marked “Control”). The first group of 3 semi-fluid pastes (marked "LNP") was treated with a liquefied waxy corn starch (Ingredion, Westchester, Illinois). The second group of 3 semi-fluid pastes was treated with cellulase A of SEQ ID No: 1 from Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark) (marked “Cellulase A”). The third group of 3 semi-fluid pastes was treated with both Cellulase A and liquefied waxy corn starch (marked “LNP + Cellulase A”). In all relevant cases, formulated liquefied waxy corn starch was added to provide 5 kg of dry waxy corn starch per metric ton of kilned bleached eucalyptus kraft fiber. In all relevant cases, Cellulase A formulated from SEQ ID No: 1 was added to provide 100 g of cellulase formulated per metric ton of kiln dried fiber. All pulps were incubated for 60 min at 40 ºC and pH 7.8 inside a boiler reactor immersed in a water bath. Continuous stirring was provided by an impeller.

[00204] After incubation, sodium hypochlorite was added to each pulp to deactivate the enzyme. Note that all pulps received the same amount of hypochlorite (20 ppm of active chlorine).

46/50

[00205] Pulp pads were prepared by vacuum filtration. The filtrate was passed back through the pad once to capture small materials (eg, fine, fragmented fibers). Filtrates from each pulp were used to dilute the respective pads to a consistency of 10% w / w. Control pulps and each group of pretreatments were subjected to 0, 500 & 1500 beat rotations within a standard PFI mill operating with a 0.2 mm gap and a load of 1765 N / mm in length of the bar. Subsequently, all pulps were diluted to a consistency of 0.3% for determinations of freedom according to the TAPPI T 227 om-99 standard. Each semi-fluid paste was used to prepare six sheets of 1.2 g (60 g / m2) paper according to the TAPPI T 205 standard. Physical tests (eg, tensile strength and breakage indexes) were performed according to the respective TAPPI standard procedures. Results of

[00206] As illustrated in Figure 3, the combined pretreatment of the fiber with liquid natural polymer and cellulase has surprisingly provided an advantage in terms of strengthening sheets of paper over the control and any of the components added alone.

[00207] Surprisingly, the combined application of liquid natural polymer and cellulase prior to refining also provided the greatest tensile strength while providing greater freedom than the control or any of the components when added alone (see Figure 4).

[00208] Cellulases are known to improve the tensile strength of paper or cardboard products, such as, for example, standard paper sheets at the expense of volume. When applied in concert with cellulase, the natural liquid polymer surprisingly mitigated the loss of volume (see Figure 5). Furthermore, the pretreatment with the combination of liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided more traction

47/50 increased to higher volume on resulting sheets of paper prepared from the refined fiber (see Figure 6). Example 3 - Pretreatment of cellulosic fiber with a combination of liquid natural polymer and enzyme

[00209] Bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) dried once was soaked in 10% w / w deionized water at room temperature overnight and was repulped at 500 rpm for 5 minutes. The resulting pulp was concentrated by centrifugation, dispersed and stored at 4 ºC before use.

[00210] Four pulp samples - equivalent to 24 grams of oven-dried fiber each - were prepared by dilution to a consistency of 4.0% w / w with deionized water. The resulting pulp pastes (pH 6.8) were then pre-incubated for 30 minutes at 40 ° C. After pre-incubation, a liquid composition of liquid natural polymer, LNP, derived from waxy corn starch, and cellulase A of Novozymes SEQ ID No: 1 (Bagsvaerd, Denmark) was added to the preheated pulp slurries of according to Table 2. Table 2: Sample # Identifier LNP (kg / t) Cellulase A (g / t) 1 BEKP-ctrl - - 2 BEKP-Enz - 150 3 BEKP-LNP 7,5 - 4 BEKP-LNP / Enz 7.5 150

[00211] When applicable, the formulated liquid natural polymer was added to provide 7.5 kg of starch solids per metric ton of kiln dried fiber. When applicable, formulated cellulase of SEQ ID No: 1 was added to provide 150 g of formulated cellulase per metric ton of kiln dried fiber. All pulps were incubated for 30 min at 40 ºC and pH 6.8 inside a boiler reactor immersed in a water bath. Continuous stirring was provided by an impeller.

[00212] After incubation, sodium hypochlorite was added to each pulp slurry to deactivate the enzyme. Note: All pulps

48/50 received the same amount of hypochlorite (20 ppm of active chlorine).

[00213] All pulps were diluted to a consistency of 1.2% for disintegration and additionally diluted to a consistency of 0.3% for determinations of freedom according to the TAPPI T 227 om-99 standard. Each pulp was used to prepare six sheets of 1.2 g (60 g / m2) paper according to the TAPPI T 205 standard. according to the respective TAPPI standard procedures. Results of

[00214] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the pre-treatment combined with liquid natural polymer and cellulase provided surprisingly an advantage in terms of strengthening sheets of paper over the control or any of the components added alone. Example 4 - Pretreatment of cellulosic fiber with a combination of liquid natural polymer and enzyme

[00215] Bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) dried once was soaked in deionized water at a consistency of 10% w / w at room temperature overnight and was repulped at 500 rpm for 5 minutes. The resulting pulp was thickened by centrifugation, dispersed and stored at 4 ºC before use.

[00216] Four samples of BEKP - equivalent to 24 grams of oven-dried fiber each - were prepared by dilution to a consistency of 4.0% w / w with deionized water. The resulting pulp pastes (pH 6.8) were then pre-incubated for 30 minutes at 40 ° C. After pre-incubation, a liquid composition of liquid natural polymer, LNP, derived from waxy corn starch, and cellulase A of Novozymes SEQ ID No: 1 (Bagsvaerd, Denmark) was added to the preheated pulp slurries of according to Table 3.

[00217] When applicable, formulated natural liquid polymer was

49/50 added to provide 7.5 kg of starch solids per metric ton of dry fiber in the oven. When applicable, formulated cellulase of SEQ ID No: 1 was added to provide 150 g of formulated cellulase per metric ton of kiln dried fiber. All pulps were incubated for 30 min at 40 ºC and pH 6.8 inside a boiler reactor immersed in a water bath. Continuous stirring was provided by an impeller.

[00218] After incubation, sodium hypochlorite was added to each pulp to deactivate the enzyme. Note: All pulps received the same amount of hypochlorite (20 ppm of active chlorine).

[00219] All BEKP samples were diluted to a consistency of 1.2% w / w for disintegration and additionally diluted to a consistency of 0.3% w / w for freedom determinations according to the TAPPI T 227 om standard -99. Table 3: # of Sample Identifier LNP (kg / t) Cellulase A (g / t) Refining PFI 1 BEKP-ctrl - - - 2 BEKP-Enz - 150 - 3 BEKP-LNP 7.5 - - 4 BEKP-LNP / Enz 7.5 150 - 1765 N / m in length of 5 BSKP - - bar, 0.2 mm gap, 1500 rot

[00220] Bleached soft wood kraft pulp (BSKP) dried once was soaked in deionized water at a consistency of 10% w / w at room temperature overnight and was repulped at 500 rpm for 7 minutes. The resulting pulp was thickened by centrifugation, dispersed and stored at 4 ºC before use.

[00221] A sample of BSKP - equivalent to 24 grams of oven-dried fiber - was prepared by dilution to a consistency of 4.0% w / w with deionized water. The resulting pulp slurry (pH 5.4) was adjusted to pH 6.8 by adding about 0.2 ml of 1 M NaOH solution, then incubated for 60 minutes at 40 ° C.

[00222] After incubation, the BSKP sample was concentrated to a consistency of 10% w / w and refined using a PFI refiner according to

50/50 conditions in Table 3.

[00223] After refining, the BSKP sample was diluted to a consistency of 1.2% w / w for disintegration and further diluted to a consistency of 0.3% w / w.

[00224] Each BEKP (0.3% w / w consistency) was combined with refined BSKP (0.3% w / w consistency) at 1/1 (w / w) ratio and used to prepare six sheets of 1.2 g (60 g / m2) paper according to the TAPPI T 205 standard. Physical tests (eg, tensile strength and breakage indexes) were performed according to the respective TAPPI standard procedures. Results of

[00225] As shown in Figure 9, the pretreatment combined with natural liquid polymer and cellulase has surprisingly decreased the tensile strength compared to the control or any of the components added alone.

Claims (25)

1. Paper or cardboard production method characterized by: a) introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a dry pulp semi-fluid once or never dry before refining, b) refining the treated pulp slurry to form a refined, treated pulp slurry and c) processing the treated pulp slurry, refined on paper or cardboard. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the treated pulp slurry is refined to a target property selected from the group consisting of: reduced freedom of the refined, treated pulp slurry, increased tensile strength of the paper product or cardboard, increased structural property of the paper or board product, required energy decreased during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or board product and a combination thereof. Method according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the treated pulp slurry is refined to reduced freedom. Method according to either of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the freedom is measured according to the Canadian standard procedure (TAPPI T 227 test method om-99) and is between 30 ml and 890 ml. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the treated pulp slurry is refined to an increased tensile strength. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the tensile strength is an index of tensile strength, which is measured according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the treated pulp slurry is refined to an increased structural property of the paper or board product. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the structural property is the volume of the paper or cardboard, which is measured according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method and is between 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are introduced as two separate addition streams. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and the at least one natural liquid polymer are combined in a suspension before being introduced into the pulp slurry. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the active enzyme in carbohydrates is a cellulase. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the method is used in paper mills or pulp mills, preferably in which the method is used in a pulp mill in a unitary operation in the brown dough washer final, in the pulp dryer, in the wet stock tower or paper storage vessel, in the cardboard mill or between these unit operations. 13. Method for improving at least one property of a pulp slurry for use in a paper or board mill, characterized by at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates, at least one liquid natural polymer and, optionally, at least one agent of resistance are introduced into a dry pulp slurry once or never dry before refining in the paper or board mill thereby producing a treated pulp slurry having at least one improved property. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the treated pulp slurry is further refined to further reduce the freedom of the treated pulp slurry. Method according to either of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the improved property is one or more properties selected from the group consisting of: reducing the freedom of the treated, refined pulp slurry, increasing the tensile strength of a product of paper or cardboard produced from the treated slurry, increase in the structural property of a paper or cardboard product produced from the treated pulp slurry, decrease in the energy required during refining to satisfy a tensile strength target of a paper or cardboard product and a combination thereof. 16. Method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that the pulp, paper or cardboard is selected from the group consisting of: printing paper, writing paper, corrugated medium, coating card (kraft and test), handkerchief , towel and cardboard box. 17. Method of producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp characterized by comprising: a) introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance agent in a pulp or paste pulp semifluid prior to refining, and b) refining the treated pulp or semi-fluid pulp to form a refined, treated pulp or semi-fluid pulp. 18. Method of producing paper or cardboard or for producing a pulp or semi-fluid pulp of pulp, characterized by comprising: introduction of at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates, at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, at least one resistance in a pulp or pulp slurry before or after refining to obtain a treated pulp or slurry pulp to form a refined, treated pulp or slurry slurry. 19. Pulp or slurry of treated pulp characterized by being produced by the method, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18. 20. Pulp or pulp semi-fluid treated according to claim 19, characterized in that it has a freedom, measured according to the Canadian standard procedure (TAPPI T 227 test method om-99), between 30 ml and 890 ml. 21. Paper or cardboard product produced using treated pulp slurry, as defined in any of claims 1 to 20, characterized by having a tensile strength, as measured by the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, from 10 Nm / g and 100 Nm / g. 22. Paper or cardboard product produced using treated pulp slurry, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by having a volume, calculated according to the TAPPI T 220 sp-16 test method, from 0.1 cm3 / g and 2.0 cm3 / g. 23. Paper or cardboard product according to either of Claims 21 or 22, characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of: printing paper, writing paper, medium grade paper, cardboard, cover card, tissue paper, towel paper and molded packaging. 24. Mixture characterized by comprising at least one active enzyme in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, a resistance agent. 25. Mixture for use in the production of paper or cardboard characterized by comprising at least one enzyme active in carbohydrates and at least one natural liquid polymer and, optionally, a resistance agent.