Micro-organisms growing on the surfaces of paper machines form slime biofilms consisting of microbial populations embedded within a self-produced matrix containing extracellular polysaccharides. The objective of SLIMEZYMES is to employ modern biotechnical methods to develop novel targeted enzymatic approaches for efficient degradation of slime polysaccharides, bringing enhanced productivity, improved final product quality and greater safety.
The use of enzymes will be studied alone, in combinations, and in synergy with other control agents such as dispersants and biocides. Enzymes capable of degrading slime polysaccharides will be identified and isolated from micro-organisms collected from soil, compost and various paper mills. Others will be isolated using modern DNA microarray technology. Those showing the greatest promise will then be screened for their ability to degrade slimes isolated from a range of paper machine environments.
Potential candidates will be produced on a pilot scale for further laboratory evaluations and application experiments. Parameters giving best slime degradation in circulation water systems will also be identified, and these optimised methods verified under real paper-machine conditions.
Industrial experiments will first be conducted in a side-stream loop, and later at full mill scale. In addition, the effects on operating parameters of progressive water system closure will be investigated, as well as the influence on subsequent effluent treatment.

A positive outcome will bring important benefits for the pulp and paper industry, which is a significant economic sector in Europe. Seven of the world's top 20 companies are located in the EU, and there are around 1300 EU paper mills.
Enzymes represent a clean and sustainable technology: they are non-toxic, readily biodegradable and produced using renewable raw materials. The new methodology will contribute to efforts to reduce water consumption and facilitate the use of recycled fibre.
Arising from the results will be the potential to manufacture and market new 'green' slime control products. Industry will gain the advantage of more eco-efficient processes, which will also have impact on consumers as a whole - especially with respect to the elimination of undesirable substances in food packaging materials.