A composition and process for making the composition by co-refining: fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers, or both; co-refined cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3 and the weight percent of CE staple fibers is less than 30 wt. %, based on the weight of CE staple fibers and said cellulose fibers; and water. The composition can be co-refined to obtain lower Canadian standard freeness yet improved drainage and wet laid products having good tensile strength, air permeability, stiffness, burst strength, and bulk.