Pulp non-fiction.

CarboNet chemistry creates dramatic results for P&P sludge dewatering, lowering CAPEX, OPEX, and emissions while hitting Scope 3 Standards.

Royale, without the cheese.

While we may strain to pry unnecessary Tarantino references into our message, we’re very much at ease making the observation that P&P dewatering options are inefficient, both operationally and financially.

  • At a time when water scarcity and regulations are rapidly increasing, sludge dewatering remains rooted in the assumptions of the 1950s, when water was a commodity and the P&P industry was in growth mode. How much PAM you sank into the groundwater or the fussiness of elaborate make-down rituals was mostly irrelevant.

Why it matters: P&P operators are under pressure to reduce polymer, lower hauling costs, and cut emissions, without risking throughput or permit performance. But most dewatering programs are built around inputs, not outcomes.

  • Plants often inherit chemistry that was designed for growth-era infrastructure and steady-state conditions, not fluctuating solids, changing fiber loads, or aggressive water-reuse goals.
  • Legacy systems show their strain in familiar ways: Overdosing to compensate for poor floc formation; presses running slower, fouling faster; and sludge that’s too wet to haul economically, but too thick to treat efficiently

CarboNet chemistry improves dewatering where it counts:

  • Lower cost to treat. CarboNet flocculants reduce total chemical use while keeping solids in spec, often cutting cost-to-treat by up to 50%—without requiring extra hands or constant recalibration.
  • Less polymer, better cake. NanoNet flocculants replace 70–90% of traditional PAM, producing faster-settling, better-draining flocs that reduce sludge weight and free water for reuse or discharge.
  • Simpler dosing, fewer surprises. SimpleFloc formats are easy to integrate. Gels need no make-down; emulsions prep fast and dose cleanly. Crews can stay focused on throughput, not tank levels or tote farms.
  • Presses run cleaner, longer. Improved floc structure leads to less filter blinding, shorter wash cycles, and longer press intervals—extending equipment life and reducing labor.
  • Better sludge, fewer trucks. Drier, denser cake means fewer hauls and lighter loads, with reduced fuel, tipping fees, and Scope 3 emissions.
  • SpecialOps visibility. Distributed mills or contract press teams can track chemical use, equipment throughput, and sludge consistency from a central dashboard—keeping operations aligned, even across shifts or sites.


Behind the scenes: CarboNet chemists tested flocculants in P&P systems where solids run high, additives interact unpredictably, and fiber content spikes from shift to shift. The result is chemistry that binds fine solids, resists fouling, and runs clean even when additives collide.



Facts about fines: Exceeding suspended solids or BOD limits can trigger fines into the tens or hundreds of thousands.

  • Also: Non-compliance often halts beneficial reuse options or triggers Tier 2 scrutiny, slowing down water permits, hurting ESG scores, or affecting land application programs. Poor chemistry shows up on more than just a balance sheet.


The bottom line: Whether you’re running kraft, tissue, or recycled mills, the chemistry behind your dewatering system affects everything from polymer use to press uptime to hauling costs. CarboNet programs are designed to keep water moving, solids compact, and sludge trucks parked—no matter what’s coming down the line.

"It’s the most technologically innovative water treatment application I have laid eyes on this decade."
R. Khalil, Dewatering & Water Treatment SME

Use Cases

CarboNet’s no make-down chemistry simplifies P&P wastewater treatment while cutting CAPEX, OPEX, and emissions.

Mixed primary/secondary dewatering

Primary clarification

Secondary clarification

Reference projects

A Canadian operator was contracted to dewater the dredged biosolids of a lagoon to enable the construction of a new system. CarboNet chemistry slashed their chemical bills, boosted their crew efficiency, and reduced their emissions.

Read the lagoon dredging brief

Download the brief

Win in Water

Water insecurity and regulations are coming for the P&L. CarboNet chemistry lowers CAPEX, OPEX, and emissions.