What do the terms ECF, TCF and woodfree mean?
ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) and TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) refer to the method of bleaching the pulp. Neither method uses chlorine gas and so are considered to be better for the environment. TCF does not use any chlorine at all whereas ECF uses some chlorine dioxide. This results in AOX (Adsorbable Organo Halogens) levels of zero and up to 0.5kg per tonne of air dried pulp respectively. ‘Woodfree’ is a description of pulp and paper meaning that they contain little or no mechanically ground fibres. Implies that fibres are chemically treated, thereby eliminating lignin and making the product purer, whiter and stronger. Woodfree is an historical paper-making term shortened from ‘groundwood-free’ and does not denote a paper or pulp made from materials other than wood.
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