Wet End Starch Cooking
Wet end starch - Starch added at the wet end to the paper slurry can help increase the sheet strength. The starch will also act as binder for various additives and fillers such as Alum, Calcium carbonate and TiO2. When properly cooked, starch swells and its viscosity increases. Wet end starch is produced to give it a cationic charge. This allows the cooked starch natural adhesion properties to create a bond with the paper fibers. By connecting the fibers and additives in small 'clumps', leaving relatively clean water in between (flocculation), faster drainage of water leading to increased wire and machine speeds.