Dry strength additive for paper

A papermaking process consisting essentially of the steps of:

• (1) forming an aqueous suspension consisting essentially unbleached pulp fibers, water and dissolved in the water from about 0.1 to about 5%, based on the dry weight of the pulp, of anionic polymers normally present in unbleached pulp selected from the group consisting of solubilized lignins and hemicelluloses, said anionic polymers having a charge density of less than 5 meq/g;
• and from about 0.1 to about 5%, based on the dry weight of the pulp, of polymer consisting essentially of at least one water-soluble, linear, high molecular weight, low charge density quaternary ammonium cationic polymer, having a reduced specific viscosity greater than 2 dl/g and a charge density of 0.2 to 4 meq/g, in an amount such that a polyelectrolyte complex will form with said anionic polymer and the cationic polymer;
• and
• (2) sheeting and drying the fibers of the pulp to form the desired cellulosic web having improved dry strength.