Conventional soda pulping results in lower pulp yield and strength properties. It also needs a much longer cooking time. To overcome these difficulties a study on the effect of anthraquinone ( AQ ) in the alkaline pulping of Acacia auriculiformis was conducted. The result showed that 3.1 percent point yield gain was achieved in the soda pulping with 0.05% AQ addition. The yield was comparable to that of the kraft control. Further increase of AQ did not substantially increase the yield. In kraft-AQ pulping the gain in yield was less remarkable, although 1.4 percent point gain was obtained. Addition of AQ can substantially reduce the alkali requirement and/ or duration of cooking. The quality of the AQ catalysed pulp was in no way inferior to the kraft control.

The feasibility of using AQ in a soda pulp mill in Bangladesh has been shown. It indicates a remarkable economical gain.