Recycling-oriented and health-friendly design of varnished paper and packaging products
The aim of the project was the development of guidelines for the recyclable and environmentally friendly design of paper and packaging products, paying particular attention to varnishes (UV coatings, dispersion vanishes, oil based varnishes). Another goal is the establishment and expansion of recyclability assessment of paper and packaging products, taking into account critical substances.
The results of the project showed that in addition to the varnishes also other recovered paper components can contribute to critical substances in recycled fiber pulps. To determine targeted unwanted components, it is therefore recommended to identify the composition of the varnishes specified by the manufacturer and estimate the entry set of critical substances. Information derived from it may be used for further analytical determination. Recyclability tests of different varnished paper and packaging products showed good defibration as well as trouble-free sheet forming (sheet adhesion test).
Differences were analysed regarding the fragmentation behaviour. There was no removal by screening due to the fragmentation. All pulps contained dirt specks that could not be completely removed by flotation. Dirt specks particle size distribution depends on type of varnish used. Especially UV varnishes result in a high proportion of large dirt specks.
Result of the poor removal of varnishes by the process steps of recovered paper treatment processing is that the substances remain in the recycled pulp.
The research project followed the basic approach, to expand the method of recyclability assessment of paper and packaging products to critical substances. This led to a significant expansion of basic knowledge about the recyclable and healthy design of paper and packaging products. In this way, the sustainable design of paper and packaging products will be promoted in order to ensure manufacturers of food packaging existing markets