The objective of alkaline peroxide bleaching optimisation (Paper III) was to achieve a brightness of 75% ISO, with minimal sodium hydroxide consumption, whilst retaining the pulp properties. The variables studied were the pressurisation of the first peroxide (P1) stage with oxygen, the substitution of sodium hydroxide partially with sodium carbonate and a mild alkali treatment before the actual peroxide bleaching. In addition, the role of sugars in the bleaching stages was studied by adding glucose or xylose to the P1 stage. The bleaching conditions are presented in Paper III. .
