Combination of steam explosion and laccase-mediator treatments prior to Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulping

► A steam explosion plus laccase-mediator pulping pretreatment has been proposed. ► Hemicelluloses were recovered and pulping process shortened. ► This pretreatment resulted more efficient than the fungal pretreatments assayed. ► Pretreatment time was shortened compared to fungal pretreatments. ► Pulping processes showed higher delignification and lower chemical consumption.