Pulp and paper manufacturers are the largest users of water worldwide. Tremendous amounts of water are needed in the pulping process (reducing wood to a fibrous mat), the bleaching process (whitens and brightens the fibers), and the papermaking process (a slurry of 99% water conveys fiber onto a Fourdrinier paper machine).
Until recently, elemental chlorine was commonly used in the manufacture of pulp to whiten and brighten the fiber. In an effort to reduce the byproducts of elemental chlorine, Mohawk stopped purchasing pulp bleached with elemental chlorine in the mid-1990’s. Since then all Mohawk virgin fiber paper has been "elemental chlorine free" (ECF). ECF papers are made from recycled fiber that has been bleached using alternative chlorine compounds instead of elemental chlorine. ECF pulps greatly reduce harmful byproducts.
Mohawk's 100% recycled papers meet the more rigorous standards for Process Chlorine Free (PCF) coding. PCF paper is made with fiber recycled from postconsumer waste and unbleached or bleached without chlorine compounds. PCF paper is the most environmentally preferable type.
Until recently, elemental chlorine was commonly used in the manufacture of pulp to whiten and brighten the fiber. In an effort to reduce the byproducts of elemental chlorine, Mohawk stopped purchasing pulp bleached with elemental chlorine in the mid-1990’s. Since then all Mohawk virgin fiber paper has been "elemental chlorine free" (ECF). ECF papers are made from recycled fiber that has been bleached using alternative chlorine compounds instead of elemental chlorine. ECF pulps greatly reduce harmful byproducts.
Mohawk's 100% recycled papers meet the more rigorous standards for Process Chlorine Free (PCF) coding. PCF paper is made with fiber recycled from postconsumer waste and unbleached or bleached without chlorine compounds. PCF paper is the most environmentally preferable type.