Process for the production of paper

A process for the production of paper on a wire by forming and dewatering a stock of lignocellulose-containing fibers, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a stock of lignocellulose-containing fibers, said stock containing at least 50% by weight of said fibers, calculated on dry substance, and said stock having a pH in the range of from about 6 to about 11;
• (b) adding an acidic solution of an aluminum compound to the stock of step (a) less than about 2 minutes before said stock enters the wire to form paper, and said aluminum compound being added to said stock in an amount of from 0.001 to 0.5% by weight, calculated as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and based on dry fibers and optional fillers;
• (c) adding an anionic retention agent free of cationic groups to the stock of step (a), said anionic retention agent being an anionic starch selected from the group consisting of phosphated starches and anionic potato starches, and said anionic retention agent being added to said stock in an amount of from 0.05 to 10% by weight, based on dry fibers and optional fillers;
• and
• (d) thereafter dewatering said stock on a wire, wherein the total amount of said aluminum compound is added to said stock prior to said anionic retention agent.