The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture, including fibers and films, and methods of making thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the article includes a binder impregnated with or encapsulating a filler. The binder is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), cellulose nanofibrils, or a combination of the PVOH and cellulose nanofibrils. The filler is deinking waste solids comprising ash and cellulose fines.

The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of flocculated filler particles, wherein at least two aqueous suspensions of at least one filler material and at least one flocculating additive are combined.

The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of flocculated filler particles, wherein at least two aqueous suspensions of at least one filler material and at least one flocculating additive are combined.

Methods of re-dispersing and de-agglomerating dewatered, partially dried and dried compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material, into liquid compositions comprising same, by applying ultrasonic energy to such liquid compositions of dewatered, partially dried and dried compositions of microfibrillated cellulose, or compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material. Methods for preparing an aqueous suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose and, optionally, inorganic particulate material, with enhanced viscosity and tensile strength properties, suitable for use in methods of making paper or coating paper, and to filled and coated papers made from such aqueous suspensions.

Methods of re-dispersing and de-agglomerating dewatered, partially dried and dried compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material, into liquid compositions comprising same, by applying ultrasonic energy to such liquid compositions of dewatered, partially dried and dried compositions of microfibrillated cellulose, or compositions of microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material. Methods for preparing an aqueous suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose and, optionally, inorganic particulate material, with enhanced viscosity and tensile strength properties, suitable for use in methods of making paper or coating paper, and to filled and coated papers made from such aqueous suspensions.

A basecoat including a pigment blend that includes a ground calcium carbonate component and a hyperplaty clay component, wherein the ground calcium carbonate component has a coarse particle size distribution, and wherein the hyperplaty clay component has an average aspect ratio of at least 40:1.

A basecoat including a pigment blend that includes a ground calcium carbonate component and a hyperplaty clay component, wherein the ground calcium carbonate component has a coarse particle size distribution, and wherein the hyperplaty clay component has an average aspect ratio of at least 40:1.

The disclosure describes a process for making a décor paper from a dispersion with improved optical performance by (a) combining a treated TiO.sub.2 particle having a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2/g with water and a cationic polymer to form a TiO.sub.2 particle slurry; wherein the treated TiO.sub.2 particle comprises an oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, phosphorus and mixtures thereof; and the oxide is present in the amount of at least 15% based on the total weight of the treated titanium dioxide particle; (b) combining the TiO.sub.2 particle slurry of step (a) with paper pulp and a cationic polymer. The dispersion provides equal optical performance using less TiO.sub.2 when compared to the same dispersion not comprising the TiO.sub.2 particle slurry of (a). These décor papers are useful in preparing paper laminates.

The disclosure describes a process for making a décor paper from a dispersion with improved optical performance by (a) combining a treated TiO.sub.2 particle having a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2/g with water and a cationic polymer to form a TiO.sub.2 particle slurry; wherein the treated TiO.sub.2 particle comprises an oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, phosphorus and mixtures thereof; and the oxide is present in the amount of at least 15% based on the total weight of the treated titanium dioxide particle; (b) combining the TiO.sub.2 particle slurry of step (a) with paper pulp and a cationic polymer. The dispersion provides equal optical performance using less TiO.sub.2 when compared to the same dispersion not comprising the TiO.sub.2 particle slurry of (a). These décor papers are useful in preparing paper laminates.

The invention discloses a method of producing a filler composition to be used in paper or board production, said method comprising providing a suspension comprising calcium hydroxide and performing carbonation of the calcium hydroxide to form precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). The invention is characterized in that starch and/or carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) is added to the suspension during said carbonation of calcium hydroxide. The method of the invention enables an increased filler content in paper or paperboard without substantially increasing the dusting tendency or decreasing the strength of the paper or board.