Catstar – 450

“CATSTAR-450” is a cationic starch, especially developed for use in the wet end in papermaking. It is from the house having unrivaled experience in the field of manufacture and supply of Spray Starches viz. “DS-HIBURST” and “DS-HIBOND” as well as oxidized starch “DS-OXISTAR”. Its wet end application intensifies following:


  • Improved retention of fines and fillers
  • Strength improvement due to additional fibre to fibre bond
  • Better sheet formation coupled with better drainage

Product Description : 

“CATSTAR-450” has a cationic charge attached to it, which is done by reaction with quaternary salts. Varying level of charge is attached by controlling the d.s. The product is equally effective in acid, neutral or alkaline papermaking.

Name Degree of Substitution* Nitrogen Content
CATSTAR 450 0.045 0.39 %
* A D.S. of 0.045 indicates an average of 45 cationic constituent for 1000 anhydroglucose units. For CATSTAR, D.S. can be calculated as below:
             162 * N%
D.S.=    —————————-
           100 * M-(N% * 151)’
* where M= 14 = Mol. Wt. of Nitrogen, and
151= Mol. Wt. of cationic group


HOW CATSTAR-450 WORKS IN PAPERMAKING:

A cationic starch can be represented by following chemical formula:

St – O – CH2 – CHOH – CH2 – N (CH3)3 CI / St – O – POOH – O – Na

Papermaking furnish mainly consists of constituents which usually have a slight anionic charge available for electrochemical and surface interactions with added polymers. CATSTAR-450 contains quaternary amino groups that act as cationic charge carrier. CATSTAR-450 will adsorb to cellulose and pigments, induce patch-type and bridging flocculation and strengthen the bonding between furnish components.


The strengthening effect of CATSTAR-450 is much greater in a filled sheet with high filler level. This is because of the effect of the starch as a mucilage or lubricant. When the filler particle is surrounded by cationic starch, the local friction between the filler particle and fibre is reduced and slipping occurs. Thus local stress concentrations are decreased and breaking of water meniscus does not occur. This results in better sheet consolidation and bonding, as shown in sketch:

without cationic starch
with cationic starch
Development of stress during drying and effect of cationic starch.
Dosage : 0.3 to 1.0 %, depending upon the paper making system


Broad Technical Specification

Source / Appearance

Maize / Fine, white, odourless, dry powder.
Moisture Less than 12%
Size of granules Passes 85 mesh
pH of 10 % aqueous solution 7 – 9
Solubility in water Soluble when cooked
Ash (Dry solid basis) less than 1.5 %
Character Cationic
Nitrogen Content Up to 0.5 %

Preparation for desired result :

Prepare a suspension (free of lumps) of 3-6% in fresh cold water by stirring. Heat to 95 °C & keep under mild stirring for 20-30 minutes. Dilute to 1% before addition.

Available Packing : 

It is available in 50 Kg. (or as per request) HDPE bags with inner liner.

Handling, Storage and Sampling :

  • Do not use hooks, drag the bags on truck or any other platform.


  • Bags should be stored on platforms, cleaned with hot air blower and kept covered with clean piece of tarpaulin. Also ensure that storage area is dry, covered, away from humid and hazardous conditions.


  • Bags should be stored on clean platform, kept covered with clean piece of tarpaulin. Also ensure that the storage area is  dry, covered, away from humid conditions, hazardous, explosive and aromatic chemicals.