The manufacturing of pulp and paper causes the formation of many chemicals like rosin, tall oil, and lignin, some of which have a strong tendency to foam during the pulping and paper making process. Foam negatively affects the efficiency of the manufacturing equipment and leads to flaws in the finished product.

Defoamers are needed in Kraft mills, recycle mills, sulfite mills, and other pulping processes, and are utilized in the following broad applications:

  • Pulping (brown stock washing, screen room, bleach plant)
  • Paper making
  • Coating
  • Effluent treatment

Defoamers for the production of paper often require conformance to one or more sections within 21 CFR 176, which is the US FDA regulation governing components of paper and paperboard that may indirectly become food additives. AMS is well versed in matching a defoamer to its intended application, and we routinely work with our customers to ensure that all of their regulatory requirements are addressed. Whether you need to conform with 21 CFR 176.170, 180, 200, 210, or other paper regulations across the globe, such as German BfR, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today and speak with an expert about selecting a defoamer for your exact set of requirements.

Pulp Mill Defoamers

Modern brownstock washing defoamers are predominantly fully formulated water-based silicone products, although some oil-based defoamers are still used for special applications that will not tolerate silicone.

AMS manufactures an array of defoamers for the pulp mill process, which includes brown stock washers, the screen room and the bleach plant.

Brownstock Washing Defoamers

Defoamers for brownstock control foam, enhance drainage, and minimize carry-over to the paper machine.

Some examples of AMS water-based silicone defoamers specifically designed for brownstock washing include:

  • TRANS-2994
  • TRANS-2931

AMS also supplies oil-based defoamers for this purpose. Some examples include:

  • TRANS-7285
  • TRANS-7115

Screen Room and Bleach Plant Defoamers

Water-based defoamers are typically employed in both the screen room and the bleach plant, and AMS has a number of products that are effective in this application.

Examples of AMS screen room and bleach plant defoamers include:

  • TRANS-7561
  • TRANS-7641
  • TRANS-7665 C
  • TRANS-7650
  • TRANS-7656

Paper Machine Defoamers

Paper machine defoamers are typically water-based or glycol-based products, but may include other chemistries. AMS designs its defoamers to have a minimal impact on sizing and a maximum reduction of entrained air.

TRANS-7664 is a water-based defoamer developed as a high-solids concentrate to minimize the shipping of water, which ultimately maximizes its economic benefit. It was designed to be received, or diluted with water prior to use (e.g. in-line dilution), and it requires minimal production equipment to dilute to lower concentrations. This makes it a great choice for resellers looking to add a high-performance, economical paper machine defoamer to their product line.

Effective to use in paper machines, in screen rooms, in effluent systems, or any application requiring a water-based defoamer, TRANS-7664 performs over a wide range of temperatures – up to 160°F/71°C – so it is effective in high-temperature applications that would prove too challenging for “run of the mill” water-based defoamers.

TRANS-3983 is an ester-based defoamer effective for wet strength applications, fine paper, liner board and corrugated, and can often be utilized at significantly lower dosages compared to other defoamer chemistries.

Defoamers for Paper Coatings

AMS coatings defoamers comply with 21 CFR 176.200. Examples of these defoamers include:

  • AC-24
  • TRANS-785

Defoamers for Effluent

Defoamers for effluent tend to be water-based, and with a minimal impact on the environment.

Examples include:

  • TRANS-7641
  • TRANS-7561
  • TRANS-7665 C

Contact the AMS product team today to learn how we can help with your next defoamer challenge.