Custom Sizing Agent Manufacturing: OEM/ODM Programs for Papermakers

Buying a sizing agent is not the same as buying a commodity drum. The same nominal chemistry—AKD, styrene acrylic, or rosin—can behave very differently on a kraft liner machine fed with recycled OCC and on a printing-writing paper machine using virgin pulp. That is why papermakers and chemical distributors are increasingly looking for a custom sizing agent manufacturing partner rather than a standard catalog product.

Custom sizing agent manufacturing means the producer adapts the formulation, physical specifications, packaging and even the label to the buyer’s application. This article explains how Qingzhou Jinhao New Material Co., Ltd. (JHDA) runs its OEM/ODM and customization program for paper sizing agents, what steps are involved, and which paper grades—from corrugated paper to food packaging—can benefit.

JHDA R&D laboratory — formulation development and performance verification for custom paper sizing chemicals.

Problem Definition: Why Standard Sizing Agents Fall Short

Most conventional sizing agents are developed around average conditions: a defined fiber source, a typical pH range, and a machine running within a narrow set of parameters. When the incoming pulp changes, the sizing response changes. Recycled fiber carries impurities that can consume cationic chemicals, destabilize AKD retention, and weaken the sizing film. Humidity and seasonal temperature swings can cause corrugated cartons to lose stiffness and collapse. Printing and writing papers can show non-uniform ink absorption when surface sizing is not matched to the coating formulation.

These problems are not solved by simply switching to any stronger product. They require a sizing additive that is designed around the actual pulp composition, machine configuration, target Cobb value, strength targets and downstream converting conditions. That is the gap a custom sizing agent program is intended to fill.

Industry Background: Sizing Agent Market and the Shift to Customization

The global paper sizing agent market was valued at approximately USD 3.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.9 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 5.8%, according to Dataintelo. Asia Pacific holds about 42.3% of the revenue share. Synthetic sizing agents—including AKD and ASA—represent about 54.5% of the market volume, while rosin sizing still accounts for a significant share. Liquid forms dominate at 57.8% because of ease of dosing, although solid sizing agents are expected to grow at about 5.11% CAGR for logistical efficiency. The same market research also reports that bio-based sizing agents reached about 38% of global consumption.

With major global competitors such as Kemira, BASF and Arakawa Chemical Industries, the industry is highly competitive. In this context, a manufacturer that can combine standard production with OEM/ODM customization offers a practical way for paper mills to stabilize paper properties, reduce imported additive costs, and receive faster technical support.

Detailed Solution: OEM/ODM Custom Sizing Capabilities at Qingzhou Jinhao

Qingzhou Jinhao New Material Co., Ltd., branded as JHDA, is a manufacturer of papermaking fine chemicals founded in 2005 and located in Mihe Industrial Park, Qingzhou City, Shandong Province, China. The company operates standard automated production lines for liquid and solid papermaking chemicals, with a total annual output of 100,000 tons and a monthly capacity of 8,000 metric tons. Its headquarters covers approximately 20,000 square meters and employs more than 80 people, including 20 R&D and field technical engineers. JHDA has also established CRM Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. in Long An Province, Vietnam to support ASEAN clients.

What JHDA’s OEM/ODM and customization program includes

• OEM/ODM/customizable production modes, including formulation customization, OEM/label production, and specification and packaging customization.
• Minimum order quantity of 1 MT and free trial samples.
• Production lead time of 4 working days for confirmed formulations.
• Typical quality-control tests covering particle size, appearance, solids, pH, viscosity and functional performance, with per-order QC reports available.
• After-sales support including engineering and process solutions, online support and on-site commissioning.

The technical team tailors formulas according to the customer’s pulp composition—recycled pulp or virgin wood pulp—and actual paper machine operating parameters, with the goal of reducing chemical consumption and production costs while improving indicators such as Cobb water absorption, ring crush strength, bursting strength, brightness, fiber retention rate and machine runnability.

Sizing agent portfolio that can be customized

JHDA’s sizing series includes AKD internal sizing emulsion (JH-103), surface AKD sizing agent (JH-200), anionic styrene-acrylic surface sizing agent (JH-325), moisture-resistant SAE surface sizing agent (JH-600), cationic surface strength sizing agent (JH-611), composite surface water-resistant agent (JH-WH3364), rosin sizing agent and an anti-humidity sizing auxiliary. For food-contact packaging paper, JHDA also supplies food-grade water vapor barrier coating and hydrophobic coating. The broader product range also includes wax emulsions and SBR latex, which can be used alongside sizing chemistry for water repellency and coating performance.

JHDA production line for consistent bulk manufacturing of papermaking chemicals.

Step-by-Step: How a Custom Sizing Agent Program Works

1. Share your process targets. The buyer provides pulp composition (recycled, virgin or mixed), paper grade, machine configuration, sizing method, target Cobb/strength values and any packaging or export requirements.
2. Free lab testing and formula development. JHDA prepares a lab sample, runs functional tests and adjusts the formulation. The pilot laboratory and particle-size analyzer support this stage.
3. Trial and on-machine tuning. For qualified projects, JHDA can provide on-site technical support during the trial, adjusting dosage and chemistry to the actual machine conditions.
4. Bulk production and QC. After the formulation is confirmed, production starts on automated lines with batch consistency checks. Pre-shipment test results and QC reports can be issued.
5. Export logistics and after-sales. JHDA supports FOB/CIF, T/T and L/C payment, provides export documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, pre-shipment inspection reports, MSDS and TDS, and remains available for online or on-site support after delivery.

JHDA pilot laboratory allows customers to verify custom sizing agent performance before bulk orders.

Use Cases: Matching Sizing Chemistry to Paper Grade

Corrugated paper and carton board in rainy seasons

For corrugated medium and carton board plants that face humidity and damp collapse, JHDA offers the moisture-resistant SAE surface sizing agent JH-600 and the anti-humidity sizing auxiliary. These products are designed to protect the board from moisture-driven stiffness loss, which is a common problem when cartons are stored or transported under high humidity.

Printing and writing paper

For printing and writing paper, the anionic styrene-acrylic surface sizing agent JH-325 works with starch to improve surface strength, reduce ink penetration and maintain uniform printability. Because the formulation is anionic, it can be more compatible with certain acid and neutral papermaking systems.

Recycled OCC and waste-paper pulp

Recycled fiber brings impurities that can interfere with sizing. JHDA’s AKD sizing emulsion JH-103 for internal sizing and JH-200 for surface AKD sizing can be customized to improve water resistance in recycled OCC systems. The company’s technical guidance notes that JHDA chemistry is optimized for waste OCC pulp and high-speed domestic type machines, with better anti-sizing reversion stability.

Food-grade packaging paper

For paper that will contact food, JHDA supplies food-grade water vapor barrier coating and hydrophobic coating. These products are supported by SGS food contact safety testing, HALAL certification and ISO management system certifications.

Pulp molding and specialty board

Pulp molding manufacturers can also benefit from JHDA’s wet-end strength additives, such as the pulp molding strength enhancer JH-2219, which can complement a sizing system in molded fiber products that require higher tensile and burst performance.

Comparison: JHDA Custom Sizing Agent vs Imported Benchmark

The table below summarizes JHDA’s own technical comparison guidance for a styrene-acrylic surface sizing agent versus an imported benchmark product such as Kemira Fennosize SC-29. The comparison is intended for evaluation; actual results depend on mill conditions.

Comparison summarized from JHDA technical guidance; performance and savings should be validated through trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A custom sizing agent program removes much of the guesswork from paper chemical selection. Instead of adapting your mill to a fixed drum, you can adapt the chemistry to your pulp, machine and final paper grade. Qingzhou Jinhao New Material Co., Ltd. offers OEM/ODM/customized production, 1 MT MOQ, free trial samples, 4-working-day production lead time, export documentation support and on-site technical service. For papermakers and distributors who want to move from a commodity sizing agent to a tailored surface or internal sizing solution, JHDA’s pilot lab and technical team are a practical starting point.

JHDA flexible packaging options for bulk export of custom sizing agents.