The Evaluation of Recyclability with the Barrier Properties of Paper Based Packaging Material

Abstract

The high barrier paper packaging material is in the form of a paper composite in which a polymer film. As paper layers are combined, they may adversely affect to the repulping efficiency in the recycling process after disposal. In addition, for high-barrier paper packaging materials that require safe transportation and storage of food and so on, wet strength agents and sizing agents are added in the stock composition process to improve wet strength before coating and laminating processes. The wet strength reduces the efficiency of the disintegration process because it forms covalent bonds between the fibers. Therefore, it is concluded that complementary materials with excellent recyclability and high barrier properties are needed. Thus, in this study, after disintegration of the paper based packaging materials according to the barrier and wet strength properties, disintegration characteristics, the characteristics of the stock and image analysis were conducted. When high barrier properties and high wet strength are accompanied, disintegration properties are further deteriorated, which is thought to affect recyclability. As a result of the image analysis, it was analyzed that the rate of micronization and inflow of the coating film was greater as it had high barrier prop-erties and wet strength. Consequently, barrier properties, wet strength, and disintegration properties are incompatible concepts. It is concluded that the strength of barrier properties and wet strength should be adjusted in consideration of recyclability.