Paper strengthened with solubilized collagen and method

A collagen strengthened cellulosic product made by a process comprising:

• a. adding soluble collagen solids having a number average molecular weight of at least 300,000 daltons to a cellulosic pulp slurry in a paper machine, wherein said soluble collagen is added in an amount of about 0.5% soluble collagen solids as compared to pulp solids and said cellulosic pulp slurry is comprised of about 90% ONP fiber and about 10% OCC, and said addition is at a pH of addition of about 6.0 based on the final pulp slurry pH;
• b. mixing said soluble collagen and said slurry to form a collagen/pulp slurry;
• c. forming a cellulosic product of desired shape from said collagen/pulp slurry;
• and
• d. drying said product.