Poly-Paper: A Sustainable Material for Packaging, Based on Recycled Paper and Recyclable with Paper. Issue 4 (2nd October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Del Curto, Barbara; Barelli, Nadia; Profaizer, Mauro; Farè, Silvia; Tanzi, Maria Cristina; Cigada, Alberto; Ognibene, Giulia; Recca, Giuseppe; Cicala, Gianluca
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied biomaterials & functional materials. Volume 14:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 495
• Publication Date: 2016-10-02
• Subjects: Cellulose fiber -- Composite -- Polyvinyl alcohol -- Solubility -- Tensile strength; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.5301/jabfm.5000335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2280-8000

Abstract

Background: Until now, environmental sustainability issues are almost entirely unsolved for packaging materials. With the final aim of finding materials with a single recycling channel, cellulose fiber/poly(vinyl)alcohol composites were investigated. Methods: After extrusion and injection molding, samples of composite with different cellulose fiber content (30%, 50% and 70% w/w) were tested. Results: Tensile mechanical tests exhibited an improvement in composite stiffness when the reinforcement content was increased together with a decrease in composite elongation. Solubility tests performed at room temperature and 45°C showed different behavior depending on the water-resistant film applied on the composite (50% cellulose fiber content). In particular, the uncoated composite showed complete solubility after 2 hours, whereas at the same time point, no solubility occurred when a non-water-soluble varnish was used. Conclusions: The proposed composites, named Poly-paper, appear to warrant further investigation as highly sustainable packaging.