Glassine and greaseproof papers, certain tissue grades, and some absorbent specialty papers continue to use sulfite pulp because its fiber characteristics — including lower lignin interference and specific bonding behavior — suit those applications. The pulp's compatibility with certain chemical treatments also makes it preferred for a narrow range of industrial specialty grades.

The sulfite process uses acidic or bisulfite cooking liquors to dissolve lignin, producing fibers that are generally brighter in their unbleached state than unbleached kraft but with lower tensile and tear strength due to differences in fiber bonding. Kraft cooking under alkaline conditions preserves more fiber strength. This strength differential is why kraft has displaced sulfite as the dominant process for most commodity paper grades.