Usability of Discarded Lignocellulosic Fibers in Paper for Secondary Green Packaging and Labeling

Abstract

Packaging and labels are used for a variety of products and have become an indispensable part of daily life, while products without labels or packaging cause uncertainty among consumers. The global trend is to reduce the amount of packaging waste by recycling and reusing the same material or using other available waste raw materials. With large quantities of stalks remaining discarded in the fields after harvest each year, cereal straw is emerging as an alternative source of lignocellulosic fibers for secondary green packaging and labels. In this study, the usability of printed papers with discarded lignocellulosic fibers by offset and gravure printing processes for secondary green packaging and labels was observed based on the qualitative parameters of reproduction and ink penetration into the printing substrate. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that gravure prints have greater penetration of the ink into the printing substrate, resulting in more uneven surface coverage with printing ink, compared to offset prints, where the viscosity of the ink and the printing process itself have the greatest influence. Therefore, these substrates with discarded lignocellulosic fibers can be used for secondary green packaging and labeling printed by the offset printing process, while gravure printing requires an additional coating or a larger amount of filler in the paper structure.