Systems and methods for production of starch-loaded fibrillated fibers

A method of making a paper product, the method comprising:

• mixing together a starch and fibrillated fibers to produce a starch/fibrillated fibers mixture;
• mixing the starch/fibrillated fibers mixture into wood pulp fibers to produce a pulp composition;
• depositing the pulp composition onto a web to form a substrate;
• at least partially dewatering the substrate;
• and
• drying the substrate to form the paper product, wherein the paper product has an increased Breaking Length compared to a First Comparative Paper Product.

A paper product comprising:

• a starch in a first amount in the range of approximately 0.1 to 2.5 weight percent;
• fibrillated fibers in a second amount in the range of approximately 2 to 20 weight percent;
• and
• wood pulp fibers in a third amount in the range of approximately 83 to 97 weight percent,
• wherein the paper product has a lower amount of the starch compared to a Second Comparative Paper Product;
• and
• wherein the paper product maintains a Breaking Length within the range of approximately 10 percent compared to a Second Comparative Paper Product.