A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.

A method for producing an aqueous copolymer solution, which comprises dissolving a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and at least 1 mol-% cationic monomers, calculated from total amount of monomers in the dissolving water having calcium hardness of at least mg/l, expressed as Ca.sup.2+, and adding acid comprising monoprotic organic acid and/or mineral acid to the dissolving water and/or the aqueous solution of the copolymer in an amount sufficient to provide the aqueous solution of the copolymer with a pH of equal to or less than 4.5. The invention also relates to uses of the obtained polymer solutions in manufacturing of paper, board or the like or in treatment of sludge or water.

Methods to reduce sticky and fluff induced rewinder breaks by reducing the adhesive character of adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants in fibers are described. One method involves contacting the fibers with a composition containing at least one of each of a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a -glucosidase, a lipase, an esterase, a pectinase, a pectate lyase and a laccase for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the removal or controlling adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants present in the fibers. Preferably, the fibers are recycled fibers originating from a variety of sources such as old corrugated containers, old newsprint, mixed office waste, and the like. Resulting paper products formed from the processed fibers are also described as well as methods to make them.

A differential density absorbent towel paper web comprising at least one ply. The differential density absorbent towel paper web has from about 45% to about 90% of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 10% to about 55% of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture has from about 20% to about 89.9% of softwood pulp fibers; from about 0.05% to about 20% cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 5.0% of strengthening additive.

A differential density absorbent towel paper web comprising at least one ply. The differential density absorbent towel paper web has from about 45% to about 90% of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 10% to about 55% of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture has from about 20% to about 89.9% of softwood pulp fibers; from about 0.05% to about 20% cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 5.0% of strengthening additive.

A differential density soft sanitary tissue paper web comprising at least one ply. The differential density soft sanitary tissue paper web comprises from about 2% to about 56.5% of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 43.5% to about 99.9% of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture comprises from about 0% to about 56.4% of softwood pulp fiber; from about 0.05% to about 20.0% of cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 3.0% of strengthening additive.

A differential density soft sanitary tissue paper web comprising at least one ply. The differential density soft sanitary tissue paper web comprises from about 2% to about 56.5% of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 43.5% to about 99.9% of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture comprises from about 0% to about 56.4% of softwood pulp fiber; from about 0.05% to about 20.0% of cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 3.0% of strengthening additive.

A process for making absorbent towel paper webs is provided. The process comprises the steps of (a) providing a papermaking furnish having from about 45% to about 90% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the tissue towel paper web of a refined softwood pulp fiber mixture having from about 20.0% to about 88.5% by weight of softwood pulp fiber and from about 0.05% to about 5.0% by weight of strengthening additive and from about 10% to about 55% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the absorbent towel paper web of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture having from about 9.9% to about 54.9% by weight of hardwood pulp fibers and from about 0.05% to about 20.0% by weight cellulose nanofilaments; (b) forming a wet fibrous web from the paper making furnish; and, (c) drying the web until the web contains not more than about 10% by weight moisture.

A soft sanitary tissue paper web comprising at least one ply is disclosed. The soft sanitary tissue paper web comprises from about 2% to about 56.5% by weight of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 43.5% to about 99.9% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture comprises from about 0% to about 56.4% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of softwood pulp fiber; from about 0.05% to about 20.0% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 3.0% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of strengthening additive.

A soft sanitary tissue paper web comprising at least one ply is disclosed. The soft sanitary tissue paper web comprises from about 2% to about 56.5% by weight of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of a softwood pulp fiber mixture and from about 43.5% to about 99.9% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. The softwood pulp fiber mixture comprises from about 0% to about 56.4% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of softwood pulp fiber; from about 0.05% to about 20.0% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of cellulose nanofilaments; and, from about 0.05% to about 3.0% by weight of the dry fiber basis of the soft sanitary tissue paper web of strengthening additive.