Typha domingensis and Phragmites australis as alternative and sustainable pulp materials for primary paper based packaging

Abstract

Environmental pollution with plastic waste and deforestation has led to increase research into the development of new natural fibers. Typha domingensis and Phragmites australis was used to make sustainable paper sheet and rigid containers packaging. Characterization of structural, mechanical, barriers, safety and end-of-life properties of Typha paper coated with polyolefins or polylactic acid was performed. Cellulose extraction was done at, 10 % NaOH at 120 °C for 90 min, the cellulose and fibers of these plants were used to produce a paper sheet and trays. The results showed that sheets made from Typha were 100 % recyclable and, showed mechanical properties comparable (5900 MPa) to a commercial Mitsubishi paper (7000 MPa) at parity of grammage. Typha and Reeds trays were permeable to water vapors and oxygen, but resistant to fat. The results LCA analysis showed that Typha trays had an environmental impact three times lower than aluminum trays, the most use in Senegal.