Process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibres and optional fillers, comprising adding to the suspension a drainage and retention aid comprising a cationic or amphoteric polysaccharide, where the polysaccharide has a hydrophobic group comprising an aromatic group

A process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibres, and optional fillers, comprising adding to the suspension a drainage and retention aid comprising a cationic or amphoteric polysaccharide, and forming and dewatering the suspension on a wire. The polysaccharide has a hydrophobic group which comprises an aromatic group, and the suspension that is dewatered on the wire has a conductivity of at least 0.75 mS/cm. Also described is a process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibres, and optional fillers, comprising adding to the suspension a drainage and retention aid comprising a cationic or amphoteric polysaccharide and a component selected from anionic microparticulate materials, water-soluble anionic vinyl addition polymers and combinations thereof and forming and dewatering the suspension on a wire. The polysaccharide has a hydrophobic group comprising an aromatic group or the polysaccharide has the general formula (I), and the suspension that is dewatered on the wire has a conductivity of at least 0.75 mS/cm. In the formula (I): P is a residue of a polysaccharide; A is a group attaching N to the polysaccharide residue; R1 and R2 are each H or alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R3 is a hydrophobic hydrocarbon group containing at least 2 carbon atoms; OR R1, R2 and R3 together with N form an aromatic group containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 2 to 300,000; X - is an anionic counterion.