Retention agent
A retention agent is a process chemical that improves the retention of a functional chemical in a substrate. The result is that totally less chemicals are used to get the same effect of the functional chemical and fewer chemicals go to waste.
Applications
Retention agents (retention aids) are used in the papermaking industry. These are added in the wet end of the paper machine to improve retention fine particles and fillers during the formation of paper. Retention aids can also be used to improve the retention of other papermaking chemicals, including sizing and cationic starches. The improved retention of papermaking furnish components improves the operational efficiency of the paper machine, reduces the solids and organic loading in the process water loop, and can lower overall chemical costs. Typical chemicals used as retention aids are: polyacrylamide (PAM), polyethyleneimine (PEI), colloidal silica, and bentonite.