Papermaking Defoamer: The Silent Driver from Foam Control to Process Optimization—Prio’s High-Efficiency Solutions

Release time:

2026-03-06

Papermaking Defoamer: The Silent Driver from Foam Control to Process Optimization—Prio’s High-Efficiency Solutions

In modern high-speed papermaking, foam has become an “invisible killer” that undermines both efficiency and quality. From pulping black liquor to white water recirculation systems and the wet end of the paper machine, stable foam—generated by resin acids, fines, and chemical additives—not only disrupts level control and reduces equipment utilization but also gives rise to pinholes, spots, and even frequent breaks, severely limiting speed increases and yield. In the face of this widespread industry challenge, the judicious selection of high‑performance defoamers is a critical step in ensuring continuous, high‑quality production.

Prio has been deeply engaged in the papermaking water treatment and process chemicals sectors for many years, gaining a thorough understanding of the differentiated defoaming requirements across various process stages. For the high-temperature, high-alkaline conditions of pulping and white water systems, Prio offers highly robust polyether-modified silicone‑based defoamers that deliver excellent spreading properties and rapid bubble‑breaking performance. Meanwhile, in applications where cleanliness is paramount—such as surface‑sized paper production or food‑packaging paper manufacturing—Prio employs high‑purity non‑silicone defoamers, effectively preventing silicone‑spot residues and ensuring that the paper’s printability and deinking recovery performance remain unaffected.

The core advantages of Prio’s papermaking defoamer lie in its triad of “high efficiency, compatibility, and environmental friendliness.” Through optimized molecular structure, the product delivers long-lasting foam suppression at low dosages—typically just 5–20 ppm—significantly reducing chemical costs per ton of paper. At the same time, it exhibits excellent compatibility with common chemicals such as sizing agents, retention aids, and dyes, effectively preventing side effects like deposition and roll sticking. Moreover, the water-based formulation is free of APEOs and benzene-based solvents, boasts good biodegradability, and meets the requirements of green manufacturing and sustainable development.

In a case study at a large cultural paper company, the plant experienced frequent speed reductions on its paper machine due to white water foam overflow. After implementing Prio’s customized defoaming solution—featuring multi-point precise dosing integrated with online monitoring—the foam issue was completely resolved, resulting in a 2.8% increase in the paper machine’s average operating speed, a 35% reduction in breakage rates, and annual cost savings exceeding RMB 1.2 million. More importantly, paper surface cleanliness improved, and customer complaint rates dropped significantly.

Prio not only provides products but also offers end-to-end services, ranging from foam‑cause diagnosis and chemical screening to the integration of intelligent dosing systems. As the papermaking industry moves toward higher speeds, greater closed‑loop operation, and advanced智能化, Prio’s defoamers are quietly ensuring the smooth formation of every meter of paper web—transforming foam from a production obstacle into a starting point for process optimization.

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Post-approval announcement of the engineering design scheme for the 200,000-ton-per-year water treatment agent construction project of Shandong Prio New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

From a drop of water to a ton of chemicals: How did Prio establish its “end-to-end” supply chain?

Prio showcases the systematic capabilities of a water treatment chemicals company through an integrated five-link chain: “raw materials—R&D—production—validation—service.” At the raw material end, it independently produces all seven organic phosphonate monomers and six polymers, with daily output exceeding 300 tons each to support on-demand formulation; at the R&D end, backed by a 5,000㎡ laboratory, it processes approximately 300 water samples around the clock in rotating shifts and validates chemical performance through four-step experiments and dynamic simulations; at the production end, it is equipped with 18 fully automated compounding lines and 11 automatic filling lines, with a designed daily capacity of about 900 tons, while standardized formula management ensures batch-to-batch consistency; at the assurance end, it maintains over 10,000 tons of routine inventory and one month’s worth of raw material reserves to ensure stable delivery; at the service end, it has established two branch offices and eight city offices, promising on-site response within 24 hours for any issues. Together, these five components form the foundation of Prio’s commitment to “more than just selling products.”

Understand Prio with 20 Data Sets: A Water Treatment Chemical Company’s “Hard Power Checklist”

Prio visually demonstrates the company’s strength with real-time data from 20 factory and laboratory sites. Its Heze production base covers over 200 mu; upon commissioning in 2024, it was designated a key project of Shandong Province, boasting an annual capacity of 300,000 tons and routine storage exceeding 10,000 tons. On the production side, it operates 57 specialized production lines, independently manufacturing all seven organic phosphine monomers and six polymers, with an annual antifoam capacity of over 50,000 tons. In terms of quality control, a 5,000㎡ laboratory conducts round-the-clock shift-based testing, with sample retention for every batch and implementation of three-tier inspection covering raw materials, processes, and finished products. Its product portfolio spans six major lines, achieving full coverage across six antifoam types. The service network comprises two branch offices and eight city representative offices, with a commitment to respond to on-site customer issues within 24 hours, maintaining end-to-end independent control over every stage from raw materials to field operations.

A Tour of the Heze Production Base: Over 200 Mu of Campus, Seven Major Workshops, and an Annual Production Capacity of 300,000 Tons

The Prio production base is located in the Juye Chemical Industrial Park in Heze, Shandong. Construction began in 2023 and it entered operation in 2024, having been selected as a key project of Shandong Province. The park covers over 200 mu, featuring seven specialized workshops and four large warehouses, with a combined annual capacity of 300,000 tons. Its product range includes organophosphorus monomers, polymers, compounded agents, defoamers, and smart water management equipment. Fully automated production processes, coupled with centralized control management and ample reserves of raw materials and finished goods, provide a solid guarantee for stable supply.

Entering Prio: The Full Industrial Chain Layout for Water Treatment by a National High-tech Enterprise

Prio showcased at the 2026 Ningbo Industrial Water Conference, presenting full-chain water treatment Solutions across five product lines.

From October 29 to 31, 2026, Prio will exhibit at Booth C12 of the 2026 Ningbo Industrial Water Conference, showcasing five major product lines: water treatment units, industrial water treatment chemicals, membrane system-specific chemicals, industrial defoamers, and wastewater treatment. Backed by a 130,000㎡ production base and a 5,000㎡ R&D laboratory, Prio continues to provide global industrial customers with water treatment chemicals and professional technical services.