An increasing dry content during NO2/O2Pretreatment of wood meal led to an improved delignification during a subsequent soda cooking, both with and without addition of anthraquinone, and to an increased depolymerization of the carbohydrates during the pretreatment. The carbohydrates were stabilized towards alkaline peeling. The highest viscosity and yield compared at a given kappa number of the alkali-cooked pulp were obtained at an intermediate dry content. A pretreatment of birch meal gave rise to an enhanced yield compared at a given kappa number, while for aspen a loss was obtained. An alkaline extraction after the pretreatment led to a decreased yield of final pulp.