PolyDADMAC in Paper Industry: Enhancing Retention, Clarity, and Efficiency

What Is PolyDADMAC?

PolyDADMAC (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)) is a highly cationic water-soluble polymer widely used in the paper and pulp industry. It is a linear quaternary ammonium polymer that exhibits strong electrostatic attraction to negatively charged particles, such as:

• Cellulose fibers

• Fillers (e.g., kaolin, PCC)

• Colloidal anionic trash (e.g., hemicelluloses, lignin fragments)

Its unique chemistry makes PolyDADMAC an essential wet-end additive for improving retention, drainage, and overall system cleanliness.

Key chemical characteristics:

• Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid

• Charge density: High cationic charge

• Solubility: Completely soluble in water

• Molecular weight: Low to medium, depending on application

• pH stability: Effective under a wide pH range (4–10)

Main Functions of PolyDADMAC in Papermaking

PolyDADMAC plays a multifunctional role in wet-end chemistry:

1. Retention Aid and Fixative

• Binds fine fibers and fillers to the paper web

• Reduces solids loss in white water, improving raw material utilization

• Enhances sheet formation and uniformity

2. Charge Neutralization

• Eliminates the negative charge of fibers and colloids

• Improves compatibility with other cationic additives, such as CPAM (Cationic Polyacrylamide)

• Stabilizes the wet-end system, reducing foaming and deposits

3. Pitch and Anionic Trash Control

• Fixes dissolved and colloidal anionic materials to fiber surfaces

• Reduces pitch-related spots, stickies, and deposit formation

• Improves machine cleanliness and runnability

4. Deinking and Wastewater Applications

• Acts as a primary flocculant in deinking processes

• Enhances ink particle agglomeration and removal efficiency

• Improves clarity in white water and effluent treatment

How to Use PolyDADMAC in Wet-End Systems

Typical Dosage:

• 0.01%–0.05% of oven-dry pulp (100–500 g/ton) depending on process conditions

Addition Points:

• Mixing Chest / Machine Chest: For charge neutralization and pitch control

• Fan Pump or Headbox Approach: For retention and fine particle fixation

• Deinking Loop or White Water System: For flocculation and water clarity

Operational Tips:

• PolyDADMAC works best under moderate shear conditions to promote uniform adsorption

• Overdosing may cause cationic reversal, reducing efficiency or interfering with sizing

• Can be combined with microparticle systems (e.g., bentonite) for higher retention performance

Synergy with Other Papermaking Chemicals

PolyDADMAC is often part of a multi-component wet-end program. Its performance is amplified when used in combination with:

• Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM):
  Forms a dual retention system; CPAM flocculates fines, while PolyDADMAC fixes colloids and enhances initial floc formation.

• AKD or ASA Sizing Agents:
  Improves size retention on fiber surfaces and reduces size loss into the white water.

• Deinking and Flotation Chemicals:
  Enhances particle agglomeration for better ink removal and flotation performance.

This synergy leads to better retention, drainage, and chemical efficiency, ultimately lowering chemical consumption and improving paper machine runnability.

Advantages and Environmental Features

Operational Advantages:

• High efficiency at low dosage

• Enhances system cleanliness and reduces downtime

• Improves sheet formation, strength, and surface quality

• Reduces solids and chemical load in white water loops

Environmental and Regulatory Benefits:

• Fully water-soluble and easy to handle

• Reduces suspended solids in wastewater, improving effluent clarity

• Compliant with most paper for food contact standards (check specific grade)

• Compatible with closed-loop and high-recycling mill operations

Choose High-Performance PolyDADMAC from Amazon Chemicals

At Amazon Chemicals, we provide tailor-made PolyDADMAC solutions for paper mills, designed to optimize wet-end chemistry and improve overall efficiency.

Our PolyDADMAC products deliver:

• Superior retention and drainage performance

• Effective pitch and stickies control

• Improved system stability and reduced downtime

👉 Optimize your papermaking process today!
Contact our technical team or learn more about our wet-end additives.