Argentina's written comments to Uruguay's reply to Judge Bennouna's question "JVhat
process and products are used by the Botnia plant for its cleaning?"
1. At the end of the hearings held on 29 September 2009 Judge Bennouna asked
the following question:
JVhatprocess and products are used by the Botnia plant for its cleaning?
Uruguay was asked to provide a reply by 9 October 2009, and Argentina was
provided with an opportunity to respond by 19 October 2009.
2. Uruguay provided an oral response during the hearings on 2 October 2009 (CR
2009/23, pp. 14-15, paras. 6-8 (Mr. Reichler), and made available a copy of an
affidavit dated 30 September 2009, as written by Mr Gervasio Gonzalez
Sirneonoff. By letter dated 8 October 2009 Uruguay merely reaffmned the
response it had given on 2 October 2009, without adding anything new.
3. Argentina is pleased to have an opportunity to respond to the new evidence
provided by Uruguay. As set out below, Argentina notes that Uruguay has
provided an incomplete response to the question posed by Judge Bennouna, and
subrnits that the evidence before the Court points decisively to the fact that the
Botnia plant has used nonylphenols that are banned in the pulp and paper
industry in the European Union. Before addressing the statement of Mr.
Gonzalez, it is appropriate to place it in the context in which it was prepared.
4. Argentina raised the issue of nonylphenols in its new written documents
submitted on 30 June 2009 after monitoring the Uruguay River for more than a
· year. Specifically, this monitoring identified the presence of elevated levels of
nonylphenols in the waters, clams, in the algal bloom of February 2009 and in
sediments around the Botnia plant, as weil as the presence of nonylphenols in
pulp samples from the plant which matched the nonylphenols identified
elsewhere. This monitoring and analysis points direct!y and unambiguously to
the use of nonylphenols at the Botnia plant. Uruguay has bad ample opportunity
1NewDocumentsSubmittedby Argentinaon30June2009,Chapter3: UruguayRiverEnvironrnental
SurveillanceProgramBiogeochemicalStudies,in particularExecutiveSummarya4 andsection3.4.1
and3.5.
• Ibidem to respond to the evidence submitted by Argentina. It could have introduced its
own evidence but it has not done so. Consequently, the unchallenged evidence
before the Court shows that (1) pulp produced at the Botnia plant is
contaminated by the presence of significant levels of nonylphenols, and (2) the
waters, clams, the algal bloom and the sediments in the immediate vicinity of the
plant's effluent discharge pipe show significantly elevated levels of
nonylphenols as compared with samples taken in other places on the river. Both
factors point conclusive!y to the use of nonylphenols ethoxylates (NPEs) at the
plant, the presence of which is reflected in degraded nonylphenols in pulp,
waters, clams, algal blooms and sediments.
5. Against this background, instead of addressing the issue by way of testing or
monitoring by its competent authorities, Uruguay has served two affidavits that
are part of the evidence before the Court and made inconsistent arguments by
way of submission that go beyond what its own evidence will support. This has
3
been fully addressed by Argentina during the hearings, and need not here be
repeated. On 15 July 2009 Uruguay served a first affidavit by Ing. Alicia
Torres.4 Ing. Torres has no apparent expertise on the subject of the production of
pulp, includirigissues of cleaning, or on nonylphenols. Her affidavit raised more
questions than it answered, and was conspicuous by its failure to address the
cleaning of the eucalyptus wood chips or the cleaning of the plant itself, the
process in which nonylphenols could be expected to be used. Despite Ing. Torres
affidavit, and an affidavit dated 20 September 2009 by Mr Gonzalez (which was
referred to in part in a letter submitted by Uruguay to the Court on 28 September
2009 but which Argentina has not seen in full), on 22 September 2009 counsel
for Uruguay told the Court that although Uruguay was "convinced" that there
"is" no use of nonylphenols - he did not say there "has never been" any use of
nonylphenols - if the plant was using nonylphenols then Uruguay would put a
stop to it (CR 2009/17, p. 24, para. 38 (Mr. Reichler). Itwas readily apparent
>See CR 2009112 14 September 2009, p. 59, para. 24 (Prof Wbeater); CR 2009/14 16 September 2009,
pp.-45-47, paras. 15-17 and 18-23, and p. 51, paras. 26-28 (Prof Colombo); CR 2009/15 17 September
2009, pp. 16-18, paras. 12-16 (Prof Sands) and p. 24, para. 7 (Prof Wbeater); CR 2009/20 28 September
2009, pp. 50-51, paras. 21-23 (Prof Colombo);, CR 2009/21 29 September 2009, p. 21, para. 32 (Prof
4ands).
Affidavit of Agr. Eng. Alicia Torres, Director of DINAMA, l3 July 2009, Uruguay's Comments on
Argentina's New Documents, 15July 2009, Annex C24. · that the state of knowledge and certainty of Uruguay as to what was being
5
discharged into the river was less than complete.
6. On 2 October 2009, nearly three months after this issue was first raised by
Argentina to the Court in its 30thJune 2009 Report, Uruguay revisited the issue
for a third time, submitting a further affidavit dated 30 September 2009 and
written also by Mr Gonzalez. Mr Gonzalez works for Botnia and therefore Iacks
independence. Once again, the affidavit is incomplete, in failing to address all
aspects of the cleaning of the eucalyptus wood chips. It is ambiguous and
contains errors of fact that suggest that its author lacks technical expertise.
7. Argentina has obtained a report on Mr Gonzalez's affidavit, by providing a copy
to Dr Bruce Sithole, an expert on the use of nonylphenols in the pulp and paper
industry. As can be seen from his curriculum vitae, which is attached to his
report, Dr Sithole worked for 22 years at FPinnovations - Paprican (the Pulp and
Paper Research Institute of Canada), where he \'\rasa Principal Scientist and
Group Leader. He has prepared a detailed report dated 16 October 2009 on the
use of nonylphenols in pulp mills in general and at the Botnia Mill, a copy of
which is attached. His report sets out inter alia the context and processes by
which it is necessary to remove lipophilic extractives from the hardwood
eucalyptus chips in order to produce high quality and commercially valuable
pulp. Those processes constitute a cleaning process, and relate to matters that are
addressed by Judge Bennouna's question. Dr Sithole states at paragraph 31 that
the mere addition of defoamer (even one incorrect/y described as a
'surfactant'by Mr. Gonzalez in his affidavit) in the washing process will
not be sufficient to achieve pulp of the quality which is produced at the
5 Argentina notes that the subject of nonylphenols is not the only one on which Uruguay's submissions
and evidence are incomplete. Uruguay bas challenged Argentina's interpret oa~ ieonword
'oxidabilidad's used in OSE monitoring data for the period from 19 April 2007 to 13 May 2009 (CR
2009/23, pp. 17-19, paras. 12-17, referring to Argentina's arguments made at CR 2009/21, p. 29, para.
33). Uruguay's preferred interpretation is that 'oxidabilidad' means 'oxides' (CR p. 18, para.
15),yet the terrn 'oxides'ot one that bas meaning in this context and is not usually associated with the
measurement of water qua1ity. In any event, the evidence before the Court indicates serious problems
with biochemical oxygen demand(BOD) and shows that "continued recordings of the buoys confirmed
recurrent oxygendeficits the Uruguay River relative to the Bay which presented more oxic conditions":
New Documents submitted by Argentina on 30 June 2009, Volume 1, Scientific and Technical Report,
Chapter 3, Executive Summary,p. 2, second paragraph, and Section 3.2.3. This evidence has not been
challenged by Uruguay.
3 mill. The very fact that a defoamer is required, indicates to me that a
surfactant is indeed used in the washing process.
Dr Sithole concludes at paragraph 23 of his report that, contrary to the claim
made by Uruguay during the hearings (CR 2009/23, p. 14), a 2008 AMEC report
(included at Annex 48 of Uruguay's Reply) does not specifically describe the
principal cleaning chemicals used by the Fray Bentos mill. At paragraph 34 of
his report, Dr Sithole concludes that Mr Gonzalez's affidavit of 30 September
2009
does not provide a complete answer to the question and does not jully
describe the "process and products ... used by the Botnia plant for its
cleaning".
His report further concludes at paragraph 33 that a number of factors point
stronglyto the use of nonylphenols at theplant:
1 am not able to express an absolutely definitive view. However, there
are a number of factors that are significant: the eucalyptus hardwood
used to produce the pulp at the plant; the absence of easily available
alternatives to clean the eucalyptus or its wood chips to remove
lipophilic material; the issues·of cost, taking into account the type of
pulp produced at the mill; the repeated failure on the parr of Uruguay
and Botnia to provide detailed information on the cleaning processes
used at the Botnia plant or the compounds thar are u,sed; the strong
evidence of NP Es in higher concentrations in the waters into which the
plant's effluent discharges are made; the evidence of NPEs in sample of
sediments, clams, algal blooms; and the evidence of NPEs in samples of
pulp produced by the mill. Thesefactors point strongly towards the clear
conclusion that NPEs have been used at the Botnia plant in one or more
cleaning processes associated with the production of wood pulp. In the
lightof my professional experience, 1 would be very surprised if NPEs
had not been used. If 1were asked to quanti/y my leve/ of certainty that
NPEs had been used, lwouldput itat 95%.
8. Argentina adopts Dr Sithole's conclusions. These conclusions will not have
come as a surprise to Uruguay. Uruguay was familiar with the issues he has
raised, and had ample opportunity to address them by way of detailed evidence,
4 including by way of complete affidavit. Argentina submits that the fact that
Uruguay has not addressedthe issues raised by Dr Sithole,has not provided full
information as to the sUrfactants that are used to remove the lipophilic
extractives, and has not provided any evidence as to its o·wntesting for the
presence of nonylphenols, points conclusively to the use of nonylphenols
ethoxylates(NPEs)by theBotniaplant.
9. Uruguay accepts the dangers posed by nonylphenols, including the irreversible
damage that they may cause to plant, animal and human life. In the
circumstances, this_is exactly the kind of issue for which the principles of
prevention and precaution play an important role. Argentina submits that the
evidence before the Court indicates that the burden ison Uruguay to establish
conclusivelythat it does not use, and has not used, nonylphenols.t has not met
that burden. Specifically,n response to Judge Bennouna's question, by failing
to provide a complete account of the "process and products ... used by the
Botnia plant for itscleaning" Uruguay's actions require the Court to conclude
that the evidence before the Court points compellingly to the use of
nonylphenols ethoxylates (NPEs) at the plant, in particular for the purpose of
removing Iipophilic extractives from the eucalyptus hardwood chips that are
used at the plant.
Buenos Aires, 19October2009
Agentof the ArgentineRepublic
5 Report into: (1) the Use ofNonylphenols in Pulp Mills in General and
(2) at the Botnia Mill, Uruguay
Dr B Sithole, Quebec, 16 October 2009
Personal background and professional experience
1. 1 am a research chemist and 1 hold a Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry
from the Trace Analysis Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1983. As indicated in my Curriculum
Vitae, which is attached as Annex 1, my research experience includes extensive
analysis of nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants ('NPEs') as used in pulp and paper
samples and for the removal of lipophilic extractives in pulp and paper making
processes.
2. From 1987 to 2009, 1 was employed at FPinnovations -Paprican (formerly the Pulp
and Paper Research lnstitute of Canada), Quebec, where 1 was a Principal Scientist
and Group Leader. My work at Paprican involved methods development and analysis
of phytosterols, wood extractives, deposits and additives in pulp and paper matrices.
The developed methods are used to solve production problems, assess environmental
pollution, improve mill production, and for reverse-engineering studies to help in new
product development. The analytical techniques used include LC-MS, GC/MS,
pyrolysis-GC/MS, FTIR, HPLC, GPC, SPE and ion chromatography. 1 was also
involved in troubleshooting environmental and wet-end issues in pulp and paper mills.
3. My publications on NPEs include the following (see further the full list as set out at
Annex 1to this report):
1 B.B. Sitholé and L.H. Allen, 1989. Determination of nonionic nonylphenol
ethoxylate surfactants in pulp and paper mill process samples by
spectrophotometry and HPLC, J ASSOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM, 72, 273-276.
B.B. Sitholé, B. Zvilichovsky, C. Lapointe and L.H. Allen, 1990. Adsorption
of nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants on metal surfaces: effect on quantitation
by liquid chromatography, J ASSOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM, 73(2), 322-324.
B.B. Sitholé and E.J. Pimente!, 2009. Determination of nonylphenol and
nonylphenol ethoxylates in pulp samples by Py-GC/MS, J ANAL. APPL.
PYROLYSIS, 85(1-2): 465-469.
Consultation report: Deresination of aspen in sulphite dissolving pulps: comparison
ofNPE and non-NPE surfactants, FPinnovations Confidential Internai Report, 2008.
4. My professional memberships and related activities are set out in full in my
Curriculum Vitae at Annex 1. In 1997 I was elected Fellow ofthe Chemical Institute
of Canada. I was the Chair of the Fine and Coated Papers Committee, Pulp & Paper
Technical Association of Canada, from 1998-2002. In 2002, I was awarded a
Certificateof Appreciation by the Pulp & Paper Technical Association of Canada,
2002, Such certificates are given "To recognise individuals who have provided
exceptional services toAPTAC and/or the Canadian pulp and paper industry".
Terms of Reference
5. I have been asked by the Government of Argentina to prepare an independent report,
on the basisof materials provided to me or which I obtained myself, on the following
issues:
1. The use ofNPEs in pulp mills;
2 2. Whether it is possible or likely that NPEs are being used at the Botnia plant;
3. The information that would be needed to reach a definitive conclusion on
the use ofNPEs at the Botnia plant.
In addressing these issues, I have been asked to respond to the question posed to
Uruguay by Judge Bennouna during the hearing, taking into account also the response
given by Uruguay to the question, during the hearing and on 9 October 2009. The
question asked by Judge Bennouna was:
"What process and products are used by the Botnia plant for its cleaning?"
I understand Judge Bennouna's question to address the cleaning of the plant itself and
the eucalyptus wood chips, which process would include the removal of lipophilic
extracts.
Materials Considered in the Preparation of this Report
6. In preparing this report 1have drawn on my professional experience and expertise in
the field. In addition, the materials which 1have used in preparing this report include:
(i) A copy of the 'Rio Uruguay Environmental Surveillance Program (Chapter III,
Biogeochemical Studies - November/08-April/09)' report, pages 1 through 42
provided by Argentina".
(ii) An English translationf the Affidavit of Agr. Eng. Alicia Torres, director of the
National Environmental agency, provided by Argentina.
(iii) A technical report attached to the Affidavitf Ing. Torres: Nonylphenol and its
Ethoxylates in Environmental matrices. Case study Uruguay. Soledad Andrade
B.S., Sandra Castro Scarone, B.S., Natalia Barboza, B.S., May 2008, produced by
DINAMA, provided by Argentina ("DINAMA Report").
3 (iv)A copy of Tables 1-5 indicating individual Nonylphenol (NPI to NP6) and total
concentrations in settling particles, water samples, pulp and technical product,
entitled 'Data_Table_Nonylphenols [1], provided by Argentina.
(v) A case study from the USA entitled 'Pulp and Paper industry Voluntarily Reduces
Use of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates', available at
http://www.deg.state.mi.us/documents/deg-ead-p2-p5-npe.pdf
(vi)A fact sheet on the pulp mill project published by Botnia available at
kymmene.com/upm/internet/cms/upmmma.nsfllupgraphics/Botnia%20Uruguay%20f
act%20sheet
ENG.pdf/$file/Botnia%20Uruguay%20fact%20sheetENG.pdf
(vii) A press release available at http://w3.upm-
kymmene.com/upm/internet/cms/upmcms.nsf/pkv!UPM and Botnia's Fray Bent
os pulp mill in Uruguay?OpenDocument
(viii) The current published priee for Botnia's FRB EUCA (effective 1 October
2009) source: http://www.botnia.com/en/default.asp?path=204,21 0,211,2672,3058
(ix) Arguments made by Counsel for Uruguay in the course of the hearing held at the
International Court of Justice on Tuesday 22 September 2009 (CR 2009/17) (in
particular at paragraphs 22 to 28 on pages 8-9).
(x) A September 2007 AMEC Report, included as Annex 48 to Uruguay's Reply in
the court proceedings.
(xi) A copy of the affidavit of Mr. Gervasio Gonzalez, Environmental Manager at the
Fray Bentos pulp mill, dated 30 September 2009, together with annexed
attachments.
Other material which 1would have liked to have seen
7. lt would have been helpful in preparing this report to have had access to other
material. Specifically, it would be very useful to be provided with a document setting
out in detail the list of ali additives used at the Botnia plant, together with their MSDS
information. This information would allow me to understand the composition of ail
4 the chemical formulations used at the plant. For example, a case study conducted in
Michigan, USA, in 2000, found that of the 780 process chemicals used by 17 mills in
the state,
• 604 products were NPE-free;
• 60 products were identified by their vendors as containing NPE (at 1-6%
levels);
• 31 products were no longer sold by vendors;
• 85 products were identified as having unknown NPE content.
The vendors were pressured to change the 60 NPE-laden products and the results
were:
• 28 products were re-formulated to NPE-free products
• 2 products did not have the potential for waste water discharge, and so were
not converted
• 6 products were no longer sold by vendors
• 24 products could not be re-formulated
If such a case study had been condueted in Uruguay I am certain that the results
would demonstrate that many additives used in Uruguay also contain NPEs. Thus it
is, in my view, very likely that a significant number of products sold by vendors in
Uruguay to the pulp and paper industry will contain NPEs, considering that the sale of
such products is not banned in the country.
8. The DINAMA Report to which I have been referred (paragraph 6 above, document
3), shows that significant amounts of products having NPE concentrations are used in
Uruguay and would be likely to result in industrial discharges. lt is striking, however,
that the industries referred to in the report do not include the pulp and paper industry,
and that no reference is made to data on pulp and paper mill effluents, which I
understand to be a major industry in Uruguay. This raises the question, to my mind,
as to why this industry was not included in the study?
59. The DINAMA Report shows that NPEs are widely used in Uruguay, including in the
wool industry. Raw wool contains lipophilic materials that impart undesirable
properties to the final products and thus need to be removed. Lipophilic materials are
natural fats and fatty compounds that are presentn animais and plants and are soluble
in organic solvents. These materials are also presentn wood and need to be removed
as they interfere with the pulp and papermaking process, since they impart poor
quality to the final product. The more lipophilic material there is in the pulp and
paper, the lower is its quality and bence its commercial value. There are therefore
good financial reasons for removing lipophilic materials from pulp. Estimates are that
the North American industry spends $750 million annually to tackle problems caused
by lipophilic extractives. NPE cleaning agents are cheap and very effective in the
removal of these lipophilic materials, and that is why they have been widely used in
the pulp and paper industry throughout the world. In my opinion it is very probable
that Uruguayan vendors of NPE-containing cleaning agents to the wool industry in
Uruguay would also be in a position to sell the same products to the pulp and paper
industry, since they could be used in that industry. They would be relatively cheap
and easily available.
Description of the process, and the point at which, NPEs would be introduced
1O.The terminologies used with respect to NPEs may be confusing and warrant a brief
explanation as sorne people incorrectly use them interchangeably. Nonylphenol
ethoxylates (NPEs) are ethoxylated products of nonylphenol (NP)- that is, they are
manufactured from NP. They are the major components in the NPE formulations sold
for industrial use. However, NPEs degrade in the environment to form NP which is
very toxic to aquatic biota.
11. There are many unit operations or stages in the manufacture of pulp. From the
materials to which 1have been referred, and in particular the Affidavit of Ing Torres,
she seems to focus on just two of the unit operations, namely production (which
would be the cooking process) and bleaching. Her affidavit does not refer expressly
6 to pulp washing operations (where the pulp bas already been produced) orto cleaning
operations (where dirt and contaminants are removed from the pulp), which are the
processes in which NPE are typically used. Also,n many instances, high amounts of
extractives and lipophilic extractives lead to what we cali deposition problems on mill
machinery. Fully bleached kraft pulp like the one produced at the Botnia plantis sold
on the basis of kappa number and lipophilic extractives content. Kappa number is an
indicationof the residual lignin in the pulp that affects the whiteness of the pulp. The
lipophilic extractives threshold values are around% using dichloromethane as the
extraction solvent. Final pulps that have high extractives values will cause severe
problems for customers when they convert the pulp to final products such as
photocopy paper. The problems include sticky deposits on paper machines,
unacceptable odours when the paper is used on photocopiers (the fats in the
extractives become rancid and emit objectionable smells), slippage on the paper on
copier machines (paper sticking in and jamming copier machines). The deposits that
are caused by the extractives require cleaning with alkali and surfactants, and NPEs
may also be present in these industrial cleaners. NPEs may be present in products
used to clean the plant itself. Sorne mills add surfactants in the digester - during the
cooking stage to solubilise the problematic lipophilic extractives but not where
eucalyptus is used for pulpproduction because of cost issue.
12.An extensive series of unit operations are utilised in the production of fully bleached
pulp, e.g., debarking, chipping, cooking, brownstock washing, pressing, bleaching,
etc. These unit operations function to produce/convert wood into pulp. Cleaning
ope~ati suchsas boil outs, serve to clean the system and ensure the production of
good quality pulp. They are not directly involved in the conversion of wood into
pulp.
13. In Kraft pulping, the stage of the process at which NPEs are introduced is in the
washing of the pulp after cooking (high amounts will impair the bleaching process
and cause sticky deposits on mill equipment) and after bleaching to remove
extractives that have been affected by the bleaching process. 1 would have expected
lng. Torres to have mentioned thisn her Affidavit. They can also be introduced in
7 pulp storage tanks where surfactants (dispersing agents) are added to disperse the
lipophilic extractives thereby preventing them from agglomerating to form the sticky
deposits. Ing. Torres does mention the addition of dispersing agents but gives no
indication on the chemistry of the surfactants used. NPEs can be effective dispersing
agents at dosages similar to those mentioned by Ing. Torres.
14.In Kraft pulping, as practiced at the Botnia plant, the produced brown pulp is washed
in brownstock operations to remove lignin and the lipophilic materials mentioned
earlier Surfactants are used at this stage as they solubilise the lignin and lipophilic
extractives. The surfactants function just like soap that is used to wash out dirt in
laundry. Alkali washing alone can be effective in softwood pulps because the
components in their lipophilic are easily solubilised and washed out. However, the
components in eucalyptus and other hardwoods are not easily solubilised by alkali and
thus remain with the pulp. Addition of NPEs to the wash water is effective in
solubilising and removing these components. Extensive studies have shawn that
surfactants thatdo not contain NPEs are not effective in removing the problematic
components in hardwood extractives. The washed brown pulp is then bleached in the
bleaching operations to remove residual lignin and tum the fibres white. A series of
washing operations are used including sorne that operate in alkaline conditions, where
surfactants are also used to effect removal of residual lipophilic extractives. The
lipophilic materials are effectively removed under alkaline conditions and in the
presence of surfactants. If the lipophilic materials are not removed, they can build up
and accumulate on mill equipments, e.g., even blocking pipes in serious cases. Mills
that use hardwoods - such as eucalyptus - need to periodically shut down and clean
the whole process to remove the lipophilic materials, a process termed "boil-out".
This entails filling the lines with a series of cleaning agents that include alkaline and
surfactants at elevated temperatures. Here again NPEs have been the traditional
choice, due to their effectiveness and low cost. However, when the cleaning
chemicals are discharged into the mill effluents, there is a dramatic rise in the
concentration of NPEs in the receiving waters. Surfactants containing NPEs are also
sometimes added as lubricants on the pulp machine.
8Type of NPEs used: the difficulties of using hardwood (eucalyptus) and why
opera tors of such mills are more likely to need NPEs.
15. Pulps made from softwoods are easy to clean with alkali and surfactants, in general
due to the composition of the lipophilic materials that is easy to solubilise. The
lipophilic components in hardwoods, on the other band, are recalcitrant and difficult
to remove. lt has been ascertained that NPEs are very effective in the removal of
these lipophilic materials. 1 have done extensive studies over many years on NPE
free surfactants and, so far, have not found any that are as good and effective as
NPEs. lndeed, 1 have worked with a North American mill that had planned to use
aspen hardwood in the manufacture of a certain grade of chemical pulp, but
abandoned the idea as good quality pulp could not be achieved without the use of
washing surfactants containing NPE. The removal of NPEs in cleaning agents has
necessitated the implementation of long and expensive procedures such as extra
washing at higher alkali charges and higher operating temperatures. These procedures
have drawbacks in terms of cost of using extra chemicals, cost of energy to operate at
higher temperatures, and possible damage to the fibres exposed to more alkali. Since
the Botnia plant uses hardwood, and claims not to use NPEs, it would be useful to get
information about the procedures used to achieve low and acceptable levels of
extractives in the final products made at the mill. 1understand that such information
has not been made publicly available, and have not been able to find such information
on the basis of web-based research.
The dangers posed by NPEs and why NPEs are banned in many places across the
world.
16. NPEs are highly toxic to fish and other water dwelling organisms and are considered
to be hormone disrupting substances, mimicking oestrogen. They degrade relatively
readily in the environment to form the even more harmful nonylphenol (NP). For
example, concentrations of nonylphenol as low as 0.017 mg/L (17 Jlg/L) have been
shawn to be lethal to winter flounder in 96 hour exposures. Nonylphenol is not
9 readily biodegradable and takes months or even longer to degrade in surface waters or
in soils and sediments, (where it tends to be easily immobilised). Non-biological
degradation is negligible. Bioconcentration and bioaccumulation is significant in
water dwelling organisms and birds, where it has been found in internai organs at
between 10 and 1000 times greater than the surrounding environment. Nonylphenols
are not broken down effectively in sewage treatment plants. Because of the
bioaccumulation and persistence of nonylphenol (the primary degradation product of
NPE), it is possible that it could be transported significant distances, and so have a
potentially global reach in its effects.
17. Due to these concerns, the use of NPE-laden products has been banned in pulp and
papermaking operations in the European Community. As far as I am aware, no such
restrictions exist in Uruguay.
18.Current commercial products used as surfactants contain concentrations of more than
0.1% of NPE by mass. They therefore cannot be used for the manufacturing of pulp
and paper, in accordance with EU Directive 2003/53. The levels vary from 1 to 6%.
Sorne NPE surfactants are sold as 100% actives and are added to the wash water at 1-
5 kg/tonne.
19.Possible alternatives to not using NPEs include: pulping softwoods instead of
hardwoods (supply limitations for the Botnia mill); wood seasoning to reduce the
amount of lipophilic extractives in the wood by natural means by leaving eut logs for
3-4 months (or in chip form for 3-6 weeks) before processing them for pulping; and
good debarking (bark contains 6 times more extractives than wood). I believe that the
Botnia mill is not implementing these alternatives because there is no ready
availability of softwoods in Uruguay. Wood seasoning is expensive as it ties up
capital and requires a lot land. Also, wood seasoning causes wood darkening and
fungal growths that then would result in extra costs for the mill due to higher
consumption of cooking and bleaching chemicals. Non NPE surfactants such as
alcohol ethoxylates (AEs) have been developed to replace NPEs in North America in
10 the past 5 years, but they are not effective for hardwood extractives. 1am not aware
oftheir use in South American mills.
20. NPEs are commodity products and therefore relatively cheap. The newly-developed
AEs are specialty products that are 3-4 times more expensive than NPEs.
Overall assessment and conclusions as to use of NPEs in sorne way at or on the
Botnia plant on the basis of the material to which 1have been referred.
21. 1have reviewed the data submitted by the Argentine Government. Assuming it to be
accurate, it provides convincing evidence of the presence of NPEs and their
degradation product, NP, in the matrices collected from the Uruguay River and an
analyzed pulp sample. The analytical protocols used are sound and have been
carefully carried out according to international standards. The data is consistent with
the conclusion that the Botnia plant is the source of the NPEs that have been detected.
This conclusion is considerably strengthened by the observation that the amounts of
NPEs in the analysed samples are highest at the mill effluent discharge points, and
there is no evidence of discharges in material quantities from other sources (other than
the mill) that may have contributed to the measured NPEs at such levels.
22. The prevalence of NPE-using industries that have similar problems as the pulp mill
and the lack of formai NPE prohibition in Uruguay lead me to believe that the high
quality hardwood pulp at the Botnia mill is most likely manufactured with aid of
additives that contain NPEs.
23. From data published by Botnia, it seems that the plant produces fully bleached
eucalyptus Kraft pulp. This type of pulp is weil known to require extensive removal
of extractives and lipophilic matter, and eucalyptus is notorious for difficulty in
achieving very low levels of the extractives in the final pulp. Cost considerations
11 would point strongly to the use ofNPE, since alternative cleaning processes are much
more expensive. Having carried out a general review of material that is publicly
available on the Botnia plant, I have not been able to find any information on the
cleaning process. I have been provided with a copy of Annex 48 to Uruguay's Reply,
a report by AMEC from September 2007. In the course of the oral arguments
Uruguay has claimed that this includes information on chemicals that are used as
cleaning materials at the plant. The AMEC report does not address the use of
surfactants and nonylphenol ethoxylates at the mill. The information at page 22 of the
AMEC report only refers to the defoamer. lt does so by reference to US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cluster Rule Requirements Related to
Emissions to Water, which do not regulate NPEs (see http://www.epa.gov/EPA
TOX/2007/September/Day-05/t17542.htm). ltappears to me that if the AMEC report
had referred to European regulations on this issue then the mill would have had to
address the NPE issue. Accordingly, Uruguay was wrong to state that the AMEC
report had "specifically described the principal cleaning chemical used by the Fray
Bentos mill" (CR 2009/23, p. 14).
24. My comments on the information pxovidedin the affidavit ofMr. Gonzalez are set out
below.
25. I note that at paragraph25 of the arguments presented to the Court on 22 September
(CR 2009/17, p. 23), Uruguay addresses issues of monitoring, but has not challenged
the presence of elevated levels of nonylphenols in the vicinity of the plant's
discharges and has not provided any satisfactory explanation for such elevated levels.
Itis important to point out that the reason why European and Canadian mills do not
use NPEs is due to pressure from regulatory authorities and/or from customers.
Whether or not the mills are 'modern' has no bearing whatsoever on the use ofNPEs.
In the case of the Uruguay mill therefore, I would ask: is there evidence that the mill
is required to demonstrate that no NPEs are used? Canadian mills selling to Europe
for example have to demonstrate or certify that noNPEs were used in the mills.
26. At paragraph 27 of its submissions presented on 22 September (CR 2009/17, p. 24),
Uruguay accepts that there are nonylphenols in the river and addresses the question of
where else could they have come from. ltis my professional opinion, based on the
12 evidence obtained from the monitoring programme conducted by Argentina, that it
appears that the highest concentrations of NPEs are at the mill effluent discharge
point. 1would ask how this can be explained, other than by the suspicion that the mill
emits NPEs. Such suspicion is strengthened in my view by the fact that NPEs have
been detected in the pulp sample. 1am surprised that Uruguay bas not addressed this
point at ali, which seems to me to provide the clearest possible evidence confirming
the use of nonylphenols.
The statement produced by Ing Torres on 13 July 2009, in particular paragraph 4
27. 1 have read with interest the affidavit prepared by Ing. Torres on 13 July 2009. She
states that "The use of etoxilated nonylphenol in the paper manufacture industry can
be identified, but it is not directly identified with the wood pulp industry" (paragraph
4). lt is not exactly clear to me what this means. If it is intended to suggest that the use
of NPE is not associated with the wood pulp industry then it is inaccurate: for the
reasons 1describe above, NPEs have been extensively used in and are associated with
the production of wood pulp, especially from hardwoods such as eucalyptus. She
states that "Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates are not inherent elements in wood pulp
manufacture processes by the Kraft method or its bleaching by ECF (elementary
chlorine free)" (paragraph 1). lt is not clear to me what she means by "inherent": the
fact is that NPEs are extensively used in these activities around the world. She states
that "the plant of Botnia ... does not use nonylphenol nor its derivative etholixates in
any of its production and wood pulp bleaching processes" (paragraph 1). lt is not clear
to me what is meant by "production and wood pulp bleaching processes". NPEs are
not used in the pulp bleaching process or in the production process as such: they are
used in the cleaning processes 1 described above. It would be helpful if lng. Torres
had described by what methods the Botnia plant carries out its cleaning processes, and
if she were to provide a list of the commercial products and compounds used in those
cleaning processes. This information would be more definitive. She states that the
Botnia plant "does not generate nonylphenol nor its etholixate derivatives in any of its
processes" (paragraph 2). lt is not clear to me what is meant by the word "generate".
Typically the cleaning process does not "generate" NPEs, but rather it uses products
13 that contain NPEs, which would typically be discharged into the effluent. In sum, the
affidavit is very ambiguous, and uses terms that are strange. The useofNPEs in pulp
and papermaking is weil documented.
28. At paragraph 23 of its submissions made on 22 September (CR 2009/17, p. 23),
Uruguay relies on the affidavit of Dr. Alicia Torres to support the claim that the
Botnia plant does not use nonylphenols for any process, including the "cleaning of
pulp". As 1read the statement that is not what she says. Uruguay could have provided
concrete evidence on ail the chemicals used for the cleaning of the wood chips and the
plants itself, but apparently has not done so, with the exception of Mr. Gonzalez's
statement which 1 comment on below. Notwithstanding the limited and in sorne
particulars, incorrect, information provided by Mr. Gonzalez (describing a defoamer
as a 'surfactant' for example), the question that arises is this: how does the plant
address the problems encountered in producing clean and high quality pulps from
eucalyptus hardwood that is high in lipophilic content? Uruguay has provided no
explanation.
29. 1 note that at paragraph 28 of the submissions presented on 22 September (CR
2009/17, p. 24), Uruguay states that "it is convinced that there is no use of [NPEs] by
Botnia", adding that "At any rate, both Parties agree that Botnia should not use any
nonylphenols in its production, cleaning, or any otherprocesses". Uruguay then states
that: "If, if, contrary to everything Uruguay believes to be true, Botnia is using
nonylphenols, Uruguay will put a stop to it. ... " It appears from this statement that
Uruguay was, at that date at !east, unable to confirm that it was not using
nonylphenols. Indeed, it appears from the statement that Uruguay did not know at that
date whether NPEs were being used in any processes at the plant. My response to
these comments by Uruguay is to ask: Why is there no mill data relating to the use of
NPEs in the DINAMA report? Was this information left out on purpose? 1would have
assumed that DINAMA would have precise data from such an important industry.
The statement produced by Mr. Gonzalez, Environmental Manager at the Botnia
mill, dated 30 September 2009
1430. I have reviewed the affidavit of Mr. Gonzalez. In particular, I have noted the
comments on chemicals used at the Botnia mill made by Mr. Gonzalez in paragraphs
3, 5 and 6 of his affidavit. In my view, his comments do not explain or shed light on
how high quality eucalyptus pulp can be produced at the Botnia mill without the use
ofNPE surfactants. The pulp produced by the mill is reported to include FRB EUCA
which is described in Botnia's handbook on the mill as "a superior quality pulp of
even quality and high flexibility" (Sowing the seeds of sustainability, Botnia and the
Fray Bentos Pulp Mill", at page 101). The current published priee for Botnia's FRB
EUCA is USD 590 (effective 1 October 2009) which would confirm that this is not a
low grade pulp (source:
http://www .botnia.com/en/default.asp?path=204,21 0,211,2672,3058).
31. In my professional opinion, the mere addition of defoamer (even one incorrectly
described as a 'surfactant' by Mr. Gonzalez in his affidavit) in the washing process
will not be sufficient to achieve pulpof the quality which is produced at the mill. The
very fact that a defoamer is required, indicates to me that a surfactant is indeed used
in the washing process. I do not know of any surfactants other than NPE that can do
the job of effectively cleaning the pulp, unless the mill is implementing other
expensive cleaning strategies._ It. is striking that Uruguay bas still provided no
information on such strategies in the documents to which I have been referred. Thus,
given the strong evidence of NPEs in higher concentrations in the waters into which
the mill's effluent discharges are made, and given the failure by Uruguay or Botnia to
explain how the mill is able to produce good quality pulp using only the materials
referred to in Mr. Gonzalez's statement, I am bound to conclude that the evidence
points strongly to the conclusion that NPEs have been used - or are being used - at
the mill.
32. My detailed comments on Mr. Gonzalez's affidavit are as follows:
In relation to paragraph 3 of his affidavit, 1 wonder if Mr. Gonzalez is familiar with
the pulp making process? He states that "the brown stock" is "then subjected to in
digester washing followed by severa! washing stages ... " This statement does not
make sense to anyone with familiarity with these processes, because wood chips are
converted to pulp in the digester after which they go to a blow tank and then to the
washing stages. Thus I do not understand what he means by "in-digester washing".
15Even more significantly, paragraph 3 of the affidavit does not give details on how the
lipophilic extractives are removed from the eucalyptus chips (as described above,
these extractives have to be removed to produce high quality pulp). It would be
useful, indeed essential in my view, in order to answer Judge Bennouna's question,
for Uruguay to have provided detailed information on this key issue. The fact that it
has not done so gives rise to even greater suspicion that it is at this stage in the
process that NPEs are used.
In relation to paragraph 5, I note that Uruguay claims to have supplied information on
"cleaning" chemicals used at the mill and that Mr. Gonzalez claims that the
extractives are removed by a "washing process that uses a surfactant...called BIM AF
4151". However BIM AF 4151 is a defoamer, it is not a surfactant (a cleaner).
Chemicals such as BIM AF 4151 are used to counteract the foam that results when a
surfactant is used. Thus, the fact the mill uses a defoamer indicates that there are
foaming problems at the mill, and the key question is: what is causing the foam? In ali
probability the foam is caused by the use of a surfactant. This raises the further
question as to the identity of the surfactant that is used in the washing process that
necessitates the need for a defoamer?
At paragraph 5, Mr. Gonzalez states that "surfactants help to remove air out of the
washing water/liquor." This is not correct: surfactants exacerbate foaming problems;
defoamers are used to remove foam, and not the other way round! Mr. Gonzalez
appears to be confused or Jackknowledge about processes and chemical products.
Also at paragraph 5 Mr. Gonzalez states that: "Extractives removed from the pulp
during the washing end in the 'black liquor"'. This is not entirely true. Sorne
extractives will come out with the black liquor in the early stages of the washing
when the concentrated black liquor is removed. After this, the wash liquid is not
mixed with the concentrated black liquor to avoid dilution: diluted black liquor is not
good for recovery boilers as its burning efficiency is reduced. Such wash liquids are
treated to remove the extractives by severa! means such as floatation or purging into
mill effluents. One of the main reasons for an effluent treatment system is to remove
the extractives. Since Mr. Gonzalez is in charge of environmental issues at the
Botnia mill, it puzzles me why he would say that wash liquids are not discharged to
the effluent. Where else can they go? Only mills that are 100% closed can claim this,
16 but the Fray Bentos mill is not one of them, so there must be wash process liquids that
are discharged into the effluent system and then into the river.
In relation to paragraph 6, I note that Mr. Gonzalez mentions the use of three
chemicals. '211' is an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant that, according to Mr. Gonzalez,
is used for hand cleaning equipment at the mill. As mentioned above, alcohol
ethoxylates are not as efficient as NPEs in removing hardwood lipophilic extractives,
and presumably this is why Mr. Gonzales does not state that this product is used in the
washing process at the Fray Bentos mill. The other two chemicals - PROFLOC 1408
and PROFLOC 2903 - are not surfactants at ali. They are flocculants or coagulants,
having an entirely different purpose.
The upshot of ali this is that despite the passage of time since Argentina first raised
this issue on 30 June 2009, Uruguay and Botnia have still not explained how the
lipophilic extractives are removed from the eucalyptus hardwood chips.
Conclusion
33. I am not able to express an absolutely definitive view. However, there are a number of
factors that are significant: the eucalyptus hardwood used to produce the pulp at the
plant; the absence of easily available alternatives to clean the eucalyptus or its wood
chips to remove lipophilic material; the issues of cost, taking into account the type of
pulp produced at the mill; the repeated failure on the part of Uruguay and Botnia to
provide detailed information on the cleaning processes used at the Botnia plant or the
compounds that are used; the strong evidence ofNPEs in higher concentrations in the
waters into which the plant's effluent discharges are made; the evidence of NPEs in
sample of sediments, clams, algal blooms; and the evidence of NPEs in samples of
pulp produced by the mill. These factors point strongly towards the clear conclusion
that NPEs have been used at the Botnia plant in one or more cleaning processes
associated with the production of wood pulp. In the light of my professional
experience, 1 would be very surprised if NPEs had not been used. If I were asked to
quantify my level of certainty that NPEs had been used, 1would put it at 95%.
1734. In conclusion, the arguments of Uruguay presented to the Court at the hearing are
contradicted by the evidence I have seen. relation to the question posed by Judge
Bennouna, the affidavit relied upon by Uruguay does not provide a complete answer
to the question and does not fully describe the "process and products ... used by the
Botnia plant for its cleaning". The failure to provide a complete answer reinforces the
conclusion that NPEs have been used at the mill.
35. I would be pleased to assist the Court in seeking to answer any further questions that
it might have.
,,
η6{-,Le~.:
Bruce Sitholé,B.Sc.(Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D., FCIC
18 Annex 1: Curriculum vitae
B. Bruce Sitholé
Address: 12Manor Crescent, Pointe Claire, Quebec, CANADA, H9R 4S9
Telephone: Home: 514-630-4824 E-mail: [email protected]
Citizenship: Canadian
SUMMARY
• Proven track record in developing innovative analytical methods to help solve
production problems and improve productivity
• Application ofFDA protocols in the analysis of food packaging
• Analysis of food additives and contaminants in food packaging
• Extensive interactions with both internai and external clients
• Very good communicator to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Well-versed in a variety of analytical techniques including LC-MS, HPLC, GPC,
GC, GC/MS, Py-GC/MS, ion chromatography, and FTIR
• Very good at building collaborations with personnel from other departments and
groups.
• Experience with washing and process aids
• Experience with use of surfactants in pulping and papermaking
• Consultations to pulp and paper mills in North America, South Africa and Brazil
WORK EXPERIENCE
Principal Scientist and Group Leader, Analytical Chemistry, 1987- 2009: Analytical
Sciences, Paprican, Pointe Claire, Quebec. Methods development and analysis of
phytosterols, wood extractives, deposits and additives in pulp and paper matrices. The
developed methods are used to solve production problems, assess environmental
pollution, improve mill production, and for reverse-:engineering studies to helpin new
product development. The analytical techniques used include LC-MS, GC/MS,
pyrolysis-GC/MS, FTIR, HPLC, GPC, SPE and ion chromatography. Troubleshooting
environmental and wet-end issues in paper mills.
Research Chemist: ONTARIO WASTE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, May 1986
- June 1987. Characterization of and methods development for analysis of hazardous
industrial wastes.
Research Officer: NATI ONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, Ottawa, October 1984 -April
1986.Research on in-door air pollution by GC/MS.
19Post-Doctoral Visiting Fellow: Environmental Health Center, HEALTH AND
WELFARE CANADA, Ottawa, December 1983 - September 1985. Analysis of
halogenated phenols in drinking water by GC and GC/MS.
Research Chemist: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Dounreay, Scotland,
1978 - 1979. Characterization of soluble organic matter by GPC, fluorescence
spectroscopy and ultrafiltration.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
United Nations Development Programme scholarship at the University of Sierra Leone,
1973-1977.
Third prize in an essay-writing contest held by the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1977.
Commonwealth scholarship at the University of Aberdeen, 1977-1978.
Commonwealth fellowship at Dalhousie University, 1979-1983.
NSERC Visiting Fellowship at Health and Welfare Canada, 1983-1985.
Presidential Citation, Pulp & Paper Research Institute of Canada, "For sustained leadership
and innovation in developing analytical chemical procedures for the pulp and paper industry",
1993.
Director, Papricourse (2 week course on the science of pulp and papermaking), Pulp & Paper
Research Institute of Canada, 1994-1998.
Elected Fellow ofthe Chemical Institute ofCanada, 1997.
W.A.E. McBryde Award for work in analytical chemistry, The Chemical Institute of Canada,
1999.
Section Editor, Pulp & Paper, Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons,
2000.
Chair, Fine and Coated Papers Committee, Pulp & Paper Technical Association of Canada,
1998-2002.
Certificate of Appreciation, Pulp & Paper Technical Association of Canada, 2002, "To
recognise individuals who have provided exceptional services to PAPTAC and/or the
Canadian pulp and paper industry".
Member, Editorial Board, TAPPSA Journal (South Africa) since 2008.
20International Scientific Committee Member, ISWFPC conferences (since 1997).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Chemical Institute of Canada
American Chemical Society
Association of Official Analytical Chemists
Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada
Technical Associationof the American Pulp and Paper Industry
PUBLICATIONS
• 72 reports and publications in refereed joumals
• 4 chapters in books
• 25 oral presentations at national and international conferences
EDUCATION
1) Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Trace Analysis Research Center, Department of Chemistry, DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1983.
Thesis Title: The Analysis and Chemistry of Antibiotics and Amines in Model
Environmental Systems.
2) M.Sc. by course-work and thesis in Analytical Chemistry
Department of Chemistry, UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN, Scotland, 1978
Thesis title: Determinationf Antimony in Organo-antimony Compounds by AA and Flame
Emission Spectroscopy
3) B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry, UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE, Freetown, Sierra Leone,
1977
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
21PUBLICATIONS
1. B.B. Sitholé, 1980. Pollution - a growing problem in developing countries, YOUR
WORLD: INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTRE NEWSLETTER, 2(2), 15 - 16.
2. J.W. Parsons, M.G. Kibblewhite, B.B. Sitholé and E.H. Voice, 1980. The chemistry
of soluble organic material in the Dounreay water supply from Loch Shurrey, In
WATER CHEMISTRY OF NUCLEAR REACTOR SYSTEMS, Proceedings of the
British Nuclear EnergySociety, Bournemouth, 2, 145- 150.
3. 3. I.L. Marr, J. Anwar and B.B. Sitholé, 1982. Micro-determination of antimony in
organo-antimony compounds by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ANALYST,
107, 1212-1217.
4. B.B. Sitholéand R.D. Guy, 1985. The interaction of secondary amines with bentonite
clay and humic acid in dilute aqueous systems, ENVIRONMENT
INTERNATIONAL, 11,499-504.
5. B.B. Sitholé and D.T. Williams, 1986. A survey of halogenated phenols at forty
Canadian potable water treatment plants, J.SOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM., 69, 807-
810.
6. B.B. Sitholé, D.T. Williams, C. Lastoria and J. Robertson, 1986. Determination of
halogenated phenols in raw and potable water by selected ion monitoring GC-MS, J.
ASSOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM., 69,466-473.
7. B.B. Sitholé and R.D. Guy, 1986. Determination of alkyl amines by indirect
photometrie chromatography, ANALYST, 111, 395 -397.
8. B.B. Sitholé and R.D. Guy, 1986. The formation of N-nitrosodibutylamine from
precursors in model environmental systems,SCL TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 50, 227-
235.
9. B.B. Sitholé and R.D. Guy, 1986. Separation of nitroimidazoles by high-pressure
Iiquid chromatography, TALANTA, 33, 95 - 97.
JO.B.B. Sitholéand R.D. Guy, 1987. Models for tetracycline in aqueous systems. Part 1.
Interaction with clay materials, WATER, AIR, SOIL POLLUT., 32, 303- 314.
11. B.B. Sitholéand R.D. Guy, 1987. Models for tetracycline in aqueous systems. Part 2.
Interaction with humic substances, WATER, AIR, SOIL POLLUT., 32,315-321.
2212. B.B. Sitholéand L.H. Allen, 1989. Determination ofnonionic nonylphenol ethoxylate
surfactants in pulp and paper mill process samples by spectrophotometry and HPLC,
J. ASSOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM, 72, 273-276.
13. B.B. Sitholé, 1990. Interfacing a personal computer to a gas chromatograph for
complex organic analysis, The ANALYST (London), 115, 237-241.
14. B.B. Sitholé, B. Zvilichovsky, C. Lapointe and L.H. Allen, 1990. Adsorption of
nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants on metal surfaces: effect on quantitation by liquid
chromatography, J. ASSOC. OFF. ANAL. CHEM, 73(2), 322-324.
15. L.H. Allen, B.B. Sitholé,J.M. MacLeod, C.L. Lapointe and F.J. McPhee, 1991. The
importance of seasoning and barking in kraft pulping of aspen, J. PULP and PAPER
SC!., 17(3), J85-J91.
16. B.B. Sitholé, P. Vollstaedt and L.H. Allen, 1991. Comparison of Soxtec versus
Soxhlet systems for the determination of wood extractives (lipids)TAPPI J., 74(11),
187-191.
17. B.B. Sitholé,J.L. Sullivan and L.H. Allen, 1992. Identification and quantitation of
wood acetone extractives (lipids) by gas chromatography and Lotus 1-2-3,
HOLZFORSCHUNG, 46(5), 409-416.
18. B.B. Sitholé,1992. Modern methods for the analysis of wood extractives: a review,
APPITA, 45(4), 260-264.
19. B.B. Sitholé, 1993. A rapid spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of
total free resin and fatty acids in pulp and paper matriTAPPI J. 76(10), 123-127.
20. B.B. Sitholéand L.H. Allen, 1994. Quantitative determination of synthetic polymers
in pitch deposits by pyrolysis gas chromatography, J. PULP PAP. SC!., 20(6):J168-
J171.
21. S. Nyarku and B.B. Sitholé, 1994. Analysis of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) by
potentiometric titratioCAN. J. CHEM, 72:274.
22. B.B. Sitholéand K. Kingsland, 1994. Generation of slide-quality outputs from data
collected on HP Chemstation software, CANADIAN CHEMICAL NEWS, 46(8):8-9.
2323. B.B. SitholéandE. Milanova, 1994. A toxicity database on additives used in pulp and
paper manufacturing, PAPRICAN PULP & PAPER MISCELLANEOUS REPORT#
287.
24. B.B. Sitholé, S. Nyarku, and L.H. Allen, 1995. Chromatographie methods and
procedures for the determination of alkyl ketene dimer and its hydrolysis product in
pulp and paper matrices, THEANALYST, 120(4):1163-1169.
25. B.B. Sitholé, 1995. Application Reviews: Pulp and Paper, ANALYTICAL
CHEMISTRY, 67(12):87R-95R.
26. B.B. Sitholé, 1995. A novel spectrophotometric procedure for determining the acid
number oftall oilsJ.WOOD CHEM, 29(3):177-181.
27. B.B. Sitholé,T. Tran and L.H. Allen, 1996. Quantitative determination of aluminum
soaps in pitch deposits, NORDIC PULP PAP. RES. J.,11(2):64-69.
28. E. Milanova and B.B. Sitholé, 1997. A simple method for estimation of newsprint
dyes in effluents by solid phase extraction, TAPPJ.,80(5):113-118.
29. E. Milanova, S. Wood and B.B. Sitholé,1997. Toxicity ofnewsprint dyes to rainbow
trout and activated sludge, TAPPIJ.,80(5):113-18.
30. L.H. Allen, C.L. Lapointe, B.B. Sitholé and R. Truitt, 1997. Press roll pitch
deposition problems associated with the use of certain clay products in newsprint
manufacture, J.PULP PAP. SCl, 23(4):J157-160.
31. E. Milanova and B.B. Sitholé, 1997. Acute toxicity to fish and solution stability of
sorne biocides used in the pulp and paper industry, WAT. SCl TECH 35(2-3): 373-
380.
32. R. Jonasson, B. Fuhr, B. Sitholéand L. Allen, 1997. Studies on the occurrence of
glycosides in aspen wood and kraft pulp, Proceedings, 8h !NT. SYMP. WOOD &
PULPING CHEM., CPPA, Montreal, pp. 43:1-43:6.
33. M.J. Rocheleau, B.B. Sitholéand L.H. Allen, 1998. Fungal treatment of aspen for
wood resin reduction: a laboratory evaluation,.PULP PAP. SCl, 24(2): 37-42.
2434. L.H. Allen, C.L. Lapointe, B.B. Sitholé,R.E. Truitt and P.E. Sennett, 1998. Pitch
deposition in newsprint mills using certain kaolin pigments, TAPP1J.,81(7): 137-
138.
35. E. Milanova and B.B. Sitholé, 1998. Determination of methylene-bis-thiocyanate
biocide in effluents and in extracts of fortified tissue paper samples, J. PULP PAP.
SCl, 24(6): 173-177.
36. A.N. Serreqi, R. Leone, C. Breuil, B. Sitholéand B. Ambayec, 1998. Identification of
steryl esters in aspen wood by capillary GC, Proceedingih !NT CONF. BIOTECH
PULP PAPER INDUSTRY, CPPA, Montreal, pp. B11-B14.
37. B.B. Sitholé,D. Filion and S. Fletcher, 1998. Determination and classification of
contaminants in recycled pulp furnishes by screening techniques, PROG. PAP.
RECYC., 8(1): 34-44.
38. M.J. Rocheleau, B.B. Sitholéand L.H. Allen, 1999. Fungal treatment of aspen for
wood resin reduction: effect on aged aspen at room temperature and at 5°C,
HOLZFORSCHUNG, 53(1): 16-20.
39. B.B. Sitholé,D. Filion and L.H. Allen, 1999. A laboratory test to measure deposition
in recycled papermaking, PAPER TECH, 40(1): 26-30.
40. E. Milanova, S. Ellis and B.B. Sitholé, 1999. Aquatic toxicity and degradation of
products ofsome dithiocarbamate biocides, PULP PAP. CAN., 100(3): T92-93.
41. B.B. Sitholé and B. Ambayec, 2000. Identification and determination of surface
sizing agents on sized papers, PULP PAP CAN 101(9): 53-57.
42. B.B. Sitholé, 2000. Pulp and paper matrices analysis: Introduction, in
"ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: Applications, Theory and
Instrumentation", R.A. Meyers (ed), Vol. 9, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp.
8337-8345.
43. B.B. Sitholé, 2000. Applications of analytical pyrolysis in the pulp and paper
industry, in "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: Applications,
Theory and Instrumentation", R.A. Meyers (ed), Vol. 10, John Wiley & Sons, New
York, p. 8443-8481.
2544.B.B. Sitholé, 2000. Analysis and characterization of resin deposits, in "FITCH
CONTROL, WOOD RESIN & DERESINATION', E. Back & L.H. Allen (editors),
TAPPI PRESS, Atlanta, ch 12.
45.B.B. Sitholé & W. Kamutzki, 2000. Contaminants in recycled papers, in "FITCH
CONTROL, WOOD RESIN & DERESINATION", E. Back & L.H. Allen (editors),
TAPPI PRESS, Atlanta, ch. 14.
46.M. Polverari, B.B. Sithol& L.H. Allen, 2001. Effects of system ciosure on retention
aids for SC-Grade manufactureTAPPI J 84 (3): 56.
47. M. Polverari, L.H. Allen, B.B. Sitholé,P. Gagno& J.-F. Samuel, 2001. The effects
on retention and drainage of converting from 100% OCC to 50% OCC: 50% NSSC in
a closed-cycle paperboard milTAPPI J, 84(1): 99-104.
48. E. Milanova, S.M. Elli& B.B. Sitholé,2001. Aquatic toxicity and solution stability
of two organic corrosion inhibitors: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 1,2,3-benzotriazole,
NORDIC PULP PAP RESJ., 16(3): 215-218.
49. B. Aikawa, R. Burk & B.B. Sitholé,2001. Dechlorination of chlorinated mode] wood
resin compounds in supercritical carbon dioxide: implications for improved analysis
of chlorinated pitch deposiAPPLIED CATALYSIS B: ENVIRONMENTAL, 848, 1-
12.
50. B.B. Sitholé,2001. Scale deposition problems in pulp and paper millProceedings,
7TH BRAZILIAN SYMPOSIUM ON THE CHEMISTRY OF WOOD & OTHER
COMPONENTS, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
51. M. Polverari, L.H. Allen and B. B. Sitholé, 2001. Effects of system closure on
retention and drainage aid performance in TMP manufacture. Part TAPPI J., 82(4):
188-192.
52. B.B. Sitholé& L.H. Allen, 2002. Impact of wood extractives on system closure,
TAPPSA J, Sept 2002: 22-28.
53. B.B. Sitholé, M-J. Rocheleau, R.W. Berlyn, C. Heitner and L.H. Allen, 2002. Is
fungal treatment of aspen chips beneficiai for CTMP? Proceedings, 11 TH
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, TAPPSA, Durban, South Africa.
54. B.B. Sitholé,D. Filion, and J. Pimente], J., 2002. Is seasonal variability in mechanical
pulp quality due to variation in extractPAPRJCAN RESEARCH REPORT 1602.
2655.B. Aikawa, R. C. Burk, and B. B. Sitholé, 2003. Catalytic hydrodechlorination of 1-
chlorooctadecane, 9,10-dichlorostearic acid, and 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acid in
supercritical carbon dioxide,PPLIED CATALYSIS B: ENVIRONMENTAL, 43(4):
371-387.
56.M. Polverari, J. Hamel, B. Sitholé & L.H. Allen, 2003. A new retention aid for the
production of SC printing grades: pilot paper machine results,TAPPI JOURNAL,
2(9): 3-7.
57. B.B. Sitholé, B. Ambayec, and R. Beaudoin, 2003. Aplicao de pirolise-CG/EM
(cromatogarfia de gas/espectronetrai de mass) na industria de cellulose e papel:
analises de agentes de colagem fluoroquimicos no pape!, Special Supplement on
Paprican, 0 PAPEL, Ano LXIV (9): 10-19.
58. J.R. Wood, K.B. Miles, D.F. Wong, and B.B. Sitholé, 2003. Wood quality variations
in black spruce and balsam fir: Do they explain seasonal variations in pulp properties?
PRR 1638.
59. M. Douek, B.B. Sitholéand S. Banerjee, 2003. Survey of deposits and contaminants
in mills using recycled fibre,G. PAP. RECYCLING,13(1): 12-22.
60. B.B. Sitholéand L.H. Allen, 2003. A rapid method for estimating wood seasoning in
logs and wood chips by enzymatic colorimetrie determination of glycerides,
Proceedings, TAPPI 2003 SPRING TECHNICAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
61. E. Milanova and B.B. Sitholé,2004. Migration of fluorescent whitening agents from
food packaging made from recycled paper, PAPER, FILM & FOIL CONVERTER,
78(3): 78-83, 2004.
62. B.B. Sitholé, B. Ambayec and R. Beaudoin, 2004. Analysis of fluorochemical sizing
additives in paper and mill deposits by Py-GC/MS, CAN J. ANAL. SCL
SPECTROSCOPY, 49(3), 148-155.
63. B.B. Sitholé and D. Filion, 2005. Determination of silicone defoamers in mill pitch
deposits,TAPPSA J.,Jan 2005.
64. B.B. Sitholé, 2005. A new method to measure the pH of wood chips, PULP PAP.
CAN, 106(11): T235-T238.
2765. B.B. Sitholé,2006. A new method to measure the pH of wood chips, TAPPSA J.,
February 2006.
66. B.B. SitholéJ. Pimentel, B. Ambayec, A. Gagne, M. Douek, and Larry Allen, 2008.
Evidence for the occurrence of polymerised wood resin in pulp and paper samples by
various analytical techniques, PROCEEDINGS, TAPPI 2008 ENGINEERING,
PULPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE.
67. B.B. Sitholé, B. Ambayec, L. Lapierre, and L. H. Allen, 2009. A study of
polymerization of aspen (Populus) wood lipophilic extractives by SEC and Py
GC/MS, PROCEEDINGS, ANNUAL MEETING, PAPTAC, MONTREAL.
68. B.B. Sitholéand E.J. Pimentel, 2009. Determination ofnonylphenol and nonylphenol
ethoxylates in pulp samples by Py-GC/MS, J. ANAL. APPL. PYROLYSIS, 85(1-2):
465-469.
69. B.B. Sitholéand P. Abbyad, 2009. Analysis of aluminum soaps in pitch deposits by
gas chromatography, inpress, TAPPI JOURNAL.
70. B.B. Sitholé, S. Shirin, X. Zhang, L. Lapierre, J. Pimentel, and M. G. Paice, 2009.
Deresination options in sulphite pulping, accepted, BIORESOURCES.
71. B.B. Sitholé, S. Shirin and B. Ambayec, 2009. Analysis and fate of lîpophilic
extractivesn sulphite pulps, accepted, J. WOOD CHEM TECHN.
72. B. B. Sitholé,B. Ambayec, 2009. Determination of silicone defoamers in pulp fibres
and deposits byPy-GC/MS, FPINNOVATIONS-PAPRICAN, PRR # 1899.
73. B.B. Sitholé, M. Doucette and R. Fiolet, Troubleshooting and controlling barium
sulphate scale deposition problems in an unbleached kraft paper mill, PAPRICAN
SPECIAL REPORT# 633.
74. B.B. Sitholéand B. Ambayec, Comparison analysis of fluorescent whitening agents in
formulations and paper samples byPy-GC/MS and LC/MS, under internai review.
75. B.B. Sitholé,J.Pimentel and S. Gibbons, Using Py-GC/MS to troubleshoot toxicity
problems in mill effluents, under internai review.
28 Consultation report:
Deresination of aspen in sulphite dissolving pulps: comparison of NPE and non-NPE
surfactants,conjidential interna! report, 2007.
29
Communication from the Agent of Argentina commenting on the response given by Uruguay to the question put to the latter by Judge Bennouna at the end of the hearing held on 29 September 2009