Fractionation and cellulase treatment for enhancing the properties of kraft-based dissolving pulp

[Display omitted] •A combined process to improve MWD and reactivity of dissolving pulp was proposed.•Pulp fractionation and cellulase treatment of each fraction were involved in the combined process.•The SF had the highest accessibility and highest cellulase adsorption capacity.•The proposed process led to a narrower MWD and a higher reactivity due to more homogenous reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate a combined process involving pulp fractionation and cellulase treatment of each fraction for improving the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and reactivity of a kraft-based dissolving pulp. Three pulp fractions, namely long-fiber, mid-fiber and short-fiber fractions (LF, MF and SF, respectively), were used as the substrates. The results showed that the SF had the highest accessibility, lowest viscosity, and highest cellulase adsorption capacity, while the opposite was true for the LF. At a given viscosity, the combined process led to a lower polydispersity index (3.71 vs 4.98) and a higher Fock reactivity (85.6% vs 76.3%), in comparison to the conventional single-stage cellulase treatment.