Abstract:The formation of foam is inevitable during pulping and paper making. Improper control of the foam will seriously affect the technic condition executing and the equipment operating of the pulp and paper making process, then result in a decrease in the quantity and quality of the products. It is considered as the simplest and most effective method to regulate and control the foam by the way of adding suitable defoaming agents. This article presented the mechanisms of the foam generating and stabilizing, as well as its influence on the producing and quality of pulp and paper. Then the development, categories, characterizations, cost and practical application of the defoamers used in pulping and paper making were reviewed, according to the special properties and requirements of different procedures including pulping, paper making, coating and deinking. And the developing trend of defoamer for pulp and paper making was prospected finally.