Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride is an internal sizing agent for paper. Considered “internal” because it is added to the furnish before the web is formed and becomes spread throughout the fibers.
Sizing is used to decrease the wettability of a dried sheet of paper. All writing and printing papers as well as many other functional paper products are sized to some degree or another.
The amount of size used depends on the intermediate and/or final use of the particular sheet of paper. With no size present, cellulose fibers would naturally absorb the water/liquids/moisture.
Bercen's ASA product line is certified Kosher. 