Biopulping Technology

Definition and Overview:

Biopulping is a type of industrial biotechnology. It uses a type of natural fungus to convert wood chips to paper pulp. The main processes for paper production that are currently in use are mechanical and chemical.  Biopulping provides a solution to the problems of chemical and mechanical paper production.  It uses fungi present in natural wood decay to alter the lignin in the cell walls of the wood, which therefore "softens" the wood chips. Since the wood is already softened when it goes to the final steps to be made into paper, the remaining steps of the process require less energy and do not pollute the air since there is no need for chemicals. Biopulping reduces electrical energy needed by an average of 25%- 30%, it also saves about $9-$20 per ton of pulp. The fungus used in biopulping is Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and is fairly easy to maintain. Treating the wood with steam and creating a ventilation system provides a good environment for fungi to thrive in. Overall, biopulping uses the knowledge gained from a natural process to produce high quality paper while reducing the energy needed and the pollutants that escape out into the air during the process.

Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a white-rot basidiomycete that has ligninolytic activity. Lignin, along with cellulose, is a major polymeric component of wood that is rather refractory to biodegradation. It is degraded efficiently by only a small group of fungi. There are three main ligninolytic enzymes: manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase and lacasse. Ceriporiopsis subvermispora produces isoenzymes of manganese peroxidase and lacasse, but no isoenzymes of lignin peroxidase have been found. However, its ligninolytic activity is as high as in organisms possessing lignin peroxidase. Many groups around the world have studied C. subvermispora and other white-rot fungi for uses in biological ligninolysis in the pulp and paper industry.

History and Development:

Finland started using biopulping in the late 1980's. The United States started biopulping in April of 1987.  BioPulping International, Inc. was founded in 1996.

Download presentation of pictures of the 50-ton mobile equipment here.

Illustration of silo reactor biopulping facility is pictured here.

The United States Department of Energy has featured the biopulping technology here for forest products technologies for industries of the future.

BPI scientists examine biopulped wood chips           Fungal growth into a pit wood structure

Advanced fungal growth in a wood chip               Modified wood structures due to biopulping