# US 10,865,526 B2 · Method for improving the resistance of paper and paperboard to aqueous penetrants > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,526 B2 - Document ID: US10865526B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/508,404 - Filed: 2019-07-11 - Published: 2019-10-31 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-03 - Assignees: Solenis Technologies, L.P. - Applicants: Solenis Technologies, L.P. - Inventors: Susan M. Ehrhardt; Daniel F. Varnell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865526B2 ## CPC - D21H 21/16: Sizing or water-repelling agents - D21H 17/23: Lignins - D21H 17/24: Polysaccharides - D21H 17/25: Cellulose - D21H 17/26: Ethers thereof - D21H 17/27: Esters thereof - D21H 17/28: Starch - D21H 19/12: applied as a solution using water as the only solvent, e.g. in the presence of acid or alkaline compounds - D21H 19/52: Cellulose; Derivatives thereof - D21H 19/54: Starch - D21H: PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A composition and method for imparting paper and paperboard with resistance to aqueous penetrants using renewable biopolymers, and the resulting paper and paperboard, are disclosed. The renewable biopolymers when combined with water-soluble, hydroxylated polymers or water-soluble salts and applied to the surface of paper or paperboard, results in resistance to aqueous penetrants. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for improving the resistance of paper or paperboard to aqueous penetrants comprising: providing a composition comprising an alkaline solution or dispersion of a non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions; and a water-soluble hydroxylated polymer provided the hydroxylated polymer is not a cationic starch; wherein the pH of the composition is from about 7 to about 11; and wherein the composition is applied to the surface of the paper or paperboard during the papermaking process. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of alkaline solution or dispersion of non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions with other sizing agents and salts is from about 0.05% to about 1% by dry wt. paper. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of alkaline solution or dispersion of non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions with other sizing agents and salts is from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by dry wt. paper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble, hydroxylated polymer is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, modified cellulosics, and synthetic water-soluble hydroxylated polymers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the hydroxylated polymer is added in an amount of from about 2% to about 5% based on dry wt. paper. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising a water-soluble zirconium or aluminum salt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the water-soluble salt is selected from the group consisting of ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC), ammonium zirconium sulfate, ammonium zirconium lactate, ammonium zirconium glycolate, zirconium oxynitrate, zirconium nitrate, zirconium hydroxychloride, zirconium orthosulfate, zirconium acetate, potassium zirconium carbonate, sodium aluminate, potassium aluminate and combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the alkaline solution or dispersion of non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions, with other sizing agents and salts can range from about 0.05% to about 1% by dry wt. paper. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the water-soluble salt is added in an amount of from about 1% to about 100% based on the amount of lignin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the water-soluble salt is added in an amount of from about 1% to about 25% based on the amount of lignin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the lignin sizing formulation provides for a neutral or positive impact on slide angle or coefficient-of-friction of the paper or paperboard. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sizing agents. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising a non-crosslinking sizing agent. ### Claim 14 A method for improving the resistance of paper or paperboard to aqueous penetrants comprising: providing an alkaline solution or dispersion of a non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions; combining the alkaline solution or dispersion of non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions, with a water-soluble zirconium or aluminum salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC), ammonium zirconium sulfate, ammonium zirconium lactate, ammonium zirconium glycolate, zirconium oxynitrate, zirconium nitrate, zirconium hydroxychloride, zirconium orthosulfate, zirconium acetate, potassium zirconium carbonate, sodium aluminate, potassium aluminate and combinations thereof, producing a lignin sizing formulation; and applying the lignin sizing formulation to the surface of the paper or paperboard. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, further comprising one or more sizing agents. ### Claim 16 A method of providing the surface of a paper or paperboard product resistance to aqueous penetrants comprising: providing a lignin sizing formulation comprising one or more of a sizing agents selected from the group consisting of salts of styrene maleic anhydride polymers, styrene acrylic acid polymers, ethylene acrylic acid polymers, methacrylic acid polymers, and anionic styrene acrylic latex; and an alkaline solution or dispersion of non-sulfonated lignin or lignin that is only soluble under alkaline conditions; wherein the composition provides resistance to aqueous penetrants, and applying the lignin sizing formulation to the surface of the paper or paperboard product during the papermaking process.