New paper packaging
Packaging materials such as cardboard use considerable quantities of virgin fibres. New processes could be used to produce innovative, standardised, packaging products for the EU market. The EU-funded FIBRE+ (Innovative paper packaging products for European SMEs based on functional modification of recovered fibres) project investigated such processes. The study evaluated various fibre recovery and treatment methods, and implemented a new treatment plant. The team first identified the industrial bottlenecks affecting paperboard SMEs. Researchers subsequently analysed the information. Project members also selected modifying agents meeting SME needs, and evaluated various methods of delivery. The consortium defined standards for comparing the effectiveness of fibre-modifications. Investigators further studied the best performing modifications and, after testing, selected paper-based modifications for further testing. Data about the final chemistry specifications contributed to the pilot plant design phase. FIBRE+ trialled the pilot design using paper rolls supplied by ASRPV's mill, hence selecting two treatment chemicals. The team also concluded that addition of starch most improved paper strength. After the trials, the group decided to proceed to industrial validation of the FIBRE+ methods. The project's results yielded a new industrial paper treatment process. The outcome will be greater use of recycled fibre, and environmental benefits, plus commercial opportunity for European businesses.
Keywords
Packaging, materials, fibres, FIBRE+, modification, treatment
