Papermaking Defoamers | White Water Defoamers for the Wet End
Papermaking white water foams easily from entrained air and surfactant carryover from wet-end additives. INVINO® offers fatty alcohol and polyether defoamers for white water foam control — keeping circulation stable, improving sheet formation, even in high-temperature or closed-loop systems.
Left uncontrolled, foam causes sheet defects (pinholes, porosity), vacuum swings, pump cavitation, and higher chemical use. Effective white water defoamers restore stability and improve paper quality across the wire section. For the full picture, see our Pulp & Paper overview.
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Why Foam Builds Up in Papermaking White Water
Foam in white water comes from a few sources:
- Entrained air: High-speed agitation at the fan pump and wire section forces air into the loop.
- Surfactant carryover: Sizing agents (AKD/ASA), retention aids, starch, and wet-strength resins carry surfactants that stabilize foam.
- System closure & heat: Tight closed-loop recycling traps heat and organics, raising viscosity and foam.
How to Choose the Right Papermaking Defoamer
- Fatty Alcohol Defoamers: Best for 35–55°C white water. Fast macro-bubble knockdown and economical across most paper grades.
- Polyether Defoamers: For 55–60°C and above, especially high-temperature or closed-loop systems. Longer micro-air degassing where fatty alcohol loses efficiency.
Tip: Start with a fatty alcohol grade in standard systems. If foam persists at higher temperature or tighter closure, move to polyether. Both are compatible with AKD/ASA sizing and surface starch when dosed correctly.
Papermaking Defoamers Selector Matrix
| GRADE | CHEMICAL TYPE | ACTIVE SOLIDS (%) | TEMP WINDOW | Application / Best For | DATA SHEET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INVINO-5030 | Fatty Alcohol Emulsion | 30.0±1.0% | 35–45 °C | General wire white water; stable emulsifier profile; no sizing degradation. | DOWNLOAD |
| INVINO-5045 | Fatty Alcohol Emulsion | 30.0±1.0% | 40–55 °C | High-speed machine white water; improves sheet formation and wire drainage. | DOWNLOAD |
| INVINO-5060 | Fatty Alcohol Emulsion | 30.0±1.0% | 50–60 °C | High-temperature, high-speed systems; improves runnability and limits dosage drift. | DOWNLOAD |
| INVINO-5800 NEW · UPGRADED | Fatty Alcohol (High-Performance Upgrade) | 30.0±1.0% | 35–60 °C | Newest fatty alcohol grade — stronger knockdown and longer persistence than standard 50xx; for demanding high-speed white water. | DOWNLOAD |
| INVINO-8061 | Non-Ionic Block Polyether | 100% | Up to 60 °C | Severe closed-loop high-temperature white water; strong micro-air degassing where fatty alcohol fades. | DOWNLOAD |
| INVINO-8062 | Non-Ionic Block Polyether | 100% | Up to 60 °C | Persistent control in closed paper loops under extreme heat; extends runnability at lower dosage. | DOWNLOAD |
Start dosage low and adjust to foam intensity, temperature, and system closure. Download each TDS from the product links.
Dosing & Mill Trial — Quick Plan
- Baseline: Record white water temperature, vacuum stability, and natural foam tendency before dosing.
- Lab check: Run jar tests and a dynamic air-evacuation test for knockdown speed and persistence.
- On-machine: Dose continuously by metering pump at the fan pump suction, wire pit, or white water chest.
- Monitor: Track sheet formation, vacuum, defoamer consumption, and cost per ton.
Technical FAQ for Papermaking Foam Control
Q: How do I choose between fatty alcohol and polyether defoamers?
A: Use fatty alcohol grades (INVINO-5030/5045/5060/5800) for white water around 35–55°C with fast, economical knockdown. Switch to polyether (INVINO-8061/8062) above 55–60°C or in tight closed loops, where they give longer micro-air degassing.
Q: Are they compatible with AKD/ASA sizing and surface starch?
A: Yes. When dosed correctly, the fatty alcohol and polyether grades are compatible with AKD/ASA sizing and surface starch, without degrading sizing performance.
Q: Will the defoamer cause pinholes or porosity in the sheet?
A: No. By removing entrained air and breaking foam in the white water, the defoamers reduce pinholes and porosity and improve sheet formation.
Q: What is INVINO-5800?
A: INVINO-5800 is our upgraded high-performance fatty alcohol defoamer — stronger knockdown and longer persistence than the standard 50xx grades — for demanding high-speed paper machine white water.
Q: Where should the defoamer be dosed on the paper machine?
A: Dose continuously with a metering pump at the fan pump suction, wire pit, or white water chest — ahead of the foam-prone stage. We confirm the point and dosage from your free mill trial.
Request Your Papermaking Defoamer Solution
Standard Protocol for Wet-End Sample Verification
System Parameter Submission
Share your machine speed, white water temperature, AKD/ASA sizing dosage, and paper grade.
Free Lab Test (White Water Recirculation + Sizing Compatibility)
Our wet-end lab runs a continuous white water degassing test and an AKD sizing compatibility check for pinhole-free drawdowns — free of charge.
Free Sample Dispatch
Free trial samples ship via air express for fan pump and wire pit trials. No MOQ at sample stage; buyer covers freight, refunded on the first bulk order.