| TECHNOLOGY |
Being explored as a way to both reduce energy consumption & improve paper strength in mechanical pulping. Roughly a decade ago, a white rot fungus that chews through lignin was discovered by members of a biopulping consortium that included FPL, pulp & paper companies, & other groups. The fungus was enlisted to predigest wood chips so as to provide a softer substrate. One U.S. Co. has confirmed the feasibility of the approach on a commercial scale, & others - in the U.S. & abroad - have expressed interest in evaluating it
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