Recycled Paper Fibers Research Articles

Paper-based material with hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties: Advanced packaging materials for food applications.

The environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution have prompted the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives to disposable plastic packaging and utensils. Paper-based materials, derived from renewable resources such as wood pulp, non-wood pulp (bamboo pulp, straw pulp, reed pulp, etc.), and recycled paper fibers, are distinguished by their recyclability and biodegradability, making them promising substitutes in the field of plastic food packaging. Despite their merits, challenges like porosity, hydrophilicity, limited barrier properties, and a lack of functionality have restricted their packaging potential. To address these constraints, researchers have introduced antimicrobial agents, hydrophobic substances, and other functional components to improve both physical and functional properties. This enhancement has resulted in notable improvements in food preservation outcomes in real-world scenarios. This paper offers a comprehensive review of recent progress in hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials. In addition to outlining the characteristics and functions of commonly used antimicrobial substances in food packaging, it consolidates the current research landscape and preparation techniques for hydrophobic paper. Furthermore, the paper explores the practical applications of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials in agricultural produce, meat, and seafood, as well as ready-to-eat food packaging. Finally, challenges in production, application, and recycling processes are outlined to ensure safety and efficacy, and prospects for the future development of antimicrobial hydrophobic paper-based materials are discussed. Overall, the emergence of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials stands out as a robust alternative to plastic food packaging, offering a compelling solution with superior food preservation capabilities. In the future, paper-based materials with antimicrobial and hydrophobic functionalities are expected to further enhance food safety as promising packaging materials.

Enzymatic Glucose and Xylose Production from Paper Mill Rejects

Recycled paper fiber rejects have shown potential as a source of waste-to-resource carbohydrates for renewable chemicals production. This study examined three classes of recycled paper fines (old corrugated containers, old newspaper, and mixed office waste) and two industrial papermaking rejects streams from different recycling mills (one mill processes linerboard and the other old corrugated cardboard). The effect of chemical pretreatment using dilute sodium hydroxide, hot water and dilute sulfuric acid on enzymatic glucose and xylose yields was evaluated. Enzymatic hydrolysis results indicated that recycled fiber streams with more old corrugated cardboard have higher potential to produce carbohydrates. The recycled cardboard rejects produced more glucose and xylose per kilogram of rejects than the linerboard rejects under all untreated and pretreated conditions. The highest producing rejects sample was sodium hydroxide pretreated cardboard rejects with 373 g glucose and 61 g xylose produced per kilogram of rejects. However, a simple hot water pretreatment showed similar results, with 335 g glucose and 58 g xylose produced per kilogram of rejects. The hot water pretreatment is recommended due to its comparable yield and lower chemical addition.

Effect of cellulose fibre based insulation on thermal performance of buildings

Cellulose fibre based insulation can be employed to maintain comfortable indoor conditions inside buildings and to improve energy efficiency. The huge energy consumption for space cooling can be decreased by applying cellulose fibre as thermal insulation in the buildings because of its low thermal conductivity. Cellulose fibre insulation is made from recycled paper fibres and inorganic additives are used to prevent mould growth and increase fire resistance. Here an effort has been made to examine the suitability of cellulose fibre as an insulation for buildings under static, dynamic heat transfer conditions, embodied energy and environmental pollution aspects are also examined. Cellulose fibre insulation has lower value of embodied energy and environmental impact as compared to other insulation materials. Cellulose fibre has lower embodied energy than the conventional and unconventional insulation materials. Cellulose fibre can be utilized in the buildings for maintaining a steady humidity value in the indoor air. Cellulose fibre board has the mean thermal conductivity equivalent to materials like cork, polyurethane, recycled glass, recycled cotton and glass wool. The cellulose fibre board has incredibly low mean thermal diffusivity than other materials like cork, polyurethane, recycled glass, recycled cotton and glass wool. Consequently cellulose fibre has similar thermal performance under static heat transfer conditions to the best insulation materials and the thermal performance of cellulose fibre for insulating buildings under dynamic heat transfer conditions will be much better than other insulation materials. Cellulose fibre is also environment friendly, renewable, recyclable and has lower embodied energy.

Removal of Arsenate and Chromate by Lanthanum-modified Granular Ceramic Material: The Critical Role of Coating Temperature

The development of economical, low-maintenance, environmentally friendly and effective water filtration techniques can have far-reaching public health, social and economic benefits. In this research, a cost-effective La-modified granular ceramic material made of red art clay and recycled paper fiber was developed for the removal of two major anionic contaminants, As(V) (arsenate) and Cr(VI) (chromate). La modification temperature significantly impacted the resulting composition and properties of the adsorbents, and thus played a crucial role in the adsorbent performance. The La-modified ceramic materials were extensively characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential measurements, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The characterization results suggested that surface coating by LaONO3-related compounds was critical for As(V) and Cr(VI) adsorption. At the modification temperature of 385 °C, the adsorption of As(V) and Cr(VI) reached maximum, which were 23 mg/g and 13 mg/g, respectively, under circumneutral conditions that are relevant to various aquatic systems. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm, the influence of pH, ionic strength and coexisting anions on As(V) and Cr(VI) adsorption were investigated to further understand both As(V) and Cr(VI) adsorption behavior. Findings from this research showed that La-modified ceramic material made of recycled paper waste represents a cost-effective adsorbent for anionic contaminant removal under environmentally relevant conditions.

Herbaceous Perennial Producers Can Grow High-quality Blanket Flower in Bioplastic-based Plant Containers

We quantified the growth and quality of ‘Arizona Sun’ blanket flower (Gaillardia ×grandiflora) grown in different bioplastic containers and characterized the interest of commercial perennial producers in using bioplastic-based biocontainers in their herbaceous perennial production schemes. Plants were grown in three types of #1 trade gallon (0.75 gal) containers at five commercial perennial producers in the upper-midwestern United States. Containers included one made of polylactic acid (PLA) and a proprietary bio-based filler derived from a coproduct of corn ethanol production, a commercially available recycled paper fiber container twice dip-coated with castor oil–based biopolyurethane and a petroleum-based plastic (control) container. Plant growth data were collected when most plants had open flowers, and plant shoots, roots, and containers were rated by commercial grower participants. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning and at the end of the experiment to characterize the perceptions and interest of growers in using these containers, their interest in different bioplastic-based container attributes, and their satisfaction from using the containers. Container type and grower interacted to affect growth index (GI), shoot dry weight (SDW), and container rating. Root rating was affected by container type or grower and shoot rating was unaffected by either. Our results indicate that commercial producers can adapt these bioplastic-based biocontainers to blanket flower production with few or no changes to their crop cultural practices.

Elaboration and Characterization Of Eco-Materials Made From Recycled Or Bio-Based Raw Materials

This work test the feasibility and characterize the thermohygric properties of composite materials, realized with eco-friendly raw materials and designed to make suspended ceilings or interior partition walls. Several raw materials are considered: recycled paper (granules or cellulose wadding) and wood fibers. Aggregates or fibers are bonded with organic or mineral binder. One of the binder considered is starch, due to its availability in Ivory Coast (cassava flour). The calcium sulfate hemihydrate is also used for comparison.The density of the produced composites ranges from 400 to 1200 kg/m3 depending on formulation. The thermal conductivity increases proportionally with the density and ranges from 0.09 to 0.5 W/(m.K). The characterization of hygric behavior is based on the measurement of moisture buffer value (MBV) [1]. The hydric performances of the composites made of mineral binder goes from moderate (MBV around 1 g/(m².%RH)) to excellent (MBV > 2 g/(m².%RH)). The moisture buffer value of the paper granules -starch composite is also excellent (MBV > 2 g/(m².%RH))

Capillarity Composited Recycled Paper/Graphene Scaffold for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries with Enhanced Capacity and Extended Lifespan

An effective strategy to tackle the twin crises of global deforestation and fossil fuel depletion is to recycle biomass materials for energy storage devices. This study reports a unique and innovative solution to capitalize on a currently overlooked resource to produce high-performance lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries from recycled paper. The recycled paper fibers are creatively composited with graphene oxide sheets via a capillary adsorption method. The recycled paper/graphene oxide hybrid is then converted to activated paper carbon/reduced graphene oxide (APC/graphene) scaffold for sulfur infiltration. The assembled Li-APC/graphene/S battery exhibits a superior lifespan of 620 cycles with an excellent capacity retention rate of 60.5%. An APC interlayer is sandwiched between the Li anode and the separator to suppress the degradation of Li anode by preventing the nonhomogeneous growth of mossy Li whiskers, stretching the battery lifespan up to 1000 cycles with a capacitance retention rate of 52.3%. The capillary adsorption method coupled with the porous carbonaceous anode interlayer configuration creates a new opportunity for the development of batteries derived from porous biomass materials.

Polymeric matrix composites at reduced environmental impact

This work focused on the use of bio‐derived charge, in order to reduce the environmental impact of traditional oil‐based polymers (HDPE in this case). In fact, we introduced waste paper fibres and a starch‐derived polymer in Wood Plastic Composites (WPC). We produced different materials: 10 wt% of recycled paper fibres (10F), 30 wt% of wood flour (30W) and a mix of two fillers (30W10F). Polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (MAPE) has been introduced as compatibilizer and a NaOH immersion treatment on both cellulosic filler has been done in order to improve composites properties. A starch‐derived polymer was then added to the matrix to reduce HDPE amount (30W10F15S). Samples were produced through turbomixing followed by compression moulding technique, and then subjected to tensile tests, SEM analysis, water absorption tests and hardness tests (Shore D). Results evidenced a synergic effect of both cellulosic fillers, and the best results were obtained for 30 wt% wood, 10 wt% fibre of paper, and 3 wt% of MAPE, in which MAPE addition improved interfaces. Samples with starch‐derived polymers have shown typical blends morphologies, and cellulosic fillers treated with NAOH revealed an effective attack. The hardness measure displayed that the presence of cellulosic recycled fibres increased both superficial hardness of the composite and temperature resistance, while the presence of starch‐derived polymer and fibres treated with NaOH caused a higher softening effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:651–656, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Potential utilization of recycled waste paper fibres in cement composites

This paper deals with the utilization of waste paper fibres in cement composites. The characterization of waste cellulosic fibres, their processing methods as well as the density and mechanical properties of cement-based composites with the 2 and 5 wt% fibre content of three fibre kinds compared to a composite based on 99.5 wt.% cellulosic fibre and the control sample without fibres are presented. It is shown that the density and mechanical properties of tested fibre-cement composites are affected by cellulosic fibre content and depend on the nature of fibres, their dimension and dispersion in the matrix. The density of each composite with fibre content was checked in a narrow range (1921–1968 kg/m 3 at 2 % and 5 % replacement of the filler). Composites with recycled waste paper fibres had an increasing character in the values of flexural strength up to 14.9 % in comparison with the wood pulp mortar sample. The compressive strength of composites with 2 % of filler replacement reached up to 18 MPa. However, the 5 % replacement of the filler caused a reduction in the compressive strength values to 7.5 % in comparison with the sample containing wood pulp after 28 days of hardening. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ct.67.1.15001

Chitosan-Based Reagents Endow Recycled Paper Fibers with Remarkable Physical and Antimicrobial Properties

The aim of the current work was to develop and study a paper additive system that endows recycled paper fibers with strong mechanical and antimicrobial properties. Five different types of modifying agents including succinic acid, carboxymethyladipic acid, butanetetracarboxylic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) were reacted with soy flour. Approximately 2% modified soy flour additive by mass relative to a old corrugated container (OCC) pulp slurry was mixed before generating a two-dimensional hand sheet for physical testing. DTPA-modified soy-flour-treated OCC pulp displayed better tensile relative to the results from the use of other modifying agents. Soy flour was treated with different DTPA concentrations, times, temperatures, and pH values to determine the optimal modification reaction conditions. Afterward, the DTPA–soy flour was complexed with chitosan to decrease the biodecomposition of soy protein, improve its incorporation into an OCC matrix, and ...

Attachment of solid elongated particles on the surface of a stationary gas bubble

Froth flotation is a separation process which plays a major role in the mining industry. It is essentially employed to recover a vast array of different valuable commodities such as rare earth minerals essential to the manufacture of high-tech products. Owing to its simplicity, the process is also widely used for the de-inking of recycled paper fibres and for the removal of pollutants from waste water. The flotation process essentially relies on the attachment of solid particles on the surface of gas bubbles immersed in water. The present study seeks to investigate the effect of the particle shape on the attachment mechanism. Using an in-house optical micro-bubble sensor the approach, the sliding and the adhesion of micron milled glass fibres on the surface of a stationary air bubble immersed in stagnant water is thoroughly investigated. The translational and rotational velocities were measured for fibres of various aspect ratios. The results are compared with a theoretical model and with experimental data obtained with spherical glass beads. It is found that the fibre orientation during the sliding motion largely depends on the collision area. Upon collision near the upstream pole of the gas bubble the major axis of the fibre aligns with the local bubble surface (tangential fibre alignment). If collision occurs at least 30° further downstream only head of the fibre is in contact with the gas–liquid interface (radial fibre alignment).

From a Weak Signal to a Boiling Frog Syndrome Opportunities and Threats of Legal Boundaries in the Paper-based Packaging Supply Chain!

Abstract In the early 1970s Ansoff described the significant role of weak signals for strategic planning and foresight. His model is based on the assumption that every effect caused by humans is to be foreseen and unsurprising. Under the auspices of discrete discontinuities in economic, political, technical and social affairs, they can be noticed before they come into existence as a whole. The printing and packaging industry that process food packaging operate their businesses within a complex, strict set of regulations and industrial guidelines. These ruling frameworks ensure that packaging does not negatively impact the products. Swiss studies have shown that cardboard boxes made from recycled paper fibres can contain significant portions of mineral oil. Animal feeding studies have proven that mineral oil mixtures are stored in the body. They can lead to accumulations and damage. The increase of food-packaging migration alerts in recent times has been highlighted by NGOś and the media. The German legislator has decided to act with a national approach towards stringent consumer protection. This paper aims to give an overview of the current status of the “German Ink and Mineral Oil Ordinance” in relation to recent and future risk management within the paper-based packaging supply chain. A possible European spill over will be highlighted. The paper aims to give recommendations for action towards adjusted and more suitable behaviour.

The Potential of Energy Efficiency on Recycle Paper Bioprocess

The increasing use of recycled paper by the paper industry to support the Green Industry in the Indonesian Pulp and Paper Industry. But technically, there are some disadvantages of recycled fiber usage such as low drainage rate in which boosted the high energy consumption on drying process. As already known, the drying process consumes the highest energy in papermaking. To overcome this problem, the research using the concentrate of endoglucanase Egl-II has done. The steps of research included production of endoglucanase Egl-II; concentration by ultrafiltration method, modification of recycled paper fibers using endoglucanase Egl-II; characterization of paper sheet; and evaluation of energy consumption in drying the sheet of paper. The results showed that endoglucanase Egl-II had increase drainage rate of recycled fiber stock, which indicate by the freeness number. The number had increased by 80ml CSF (Canadian Standard Freeness) from 190ml CSF to 270ml CSF, and fiber retention increased by 0,63% from 99,31% to 99,94%. The dissolved cellobiose test results of recycled fiber stock by the enzyme treatment at low dosage showed that no degradation of cellulose, no change into soluble sugars. Characterization of sheet of paper that has been modified with endoglucanase Egl-II based FTIR spectra showed no change in functional group, SEM results showed on the fiber surface fibrils grow more, and the results of the XRD analysis showed area reduction of amorphous regions is about 6%. The potential for energy efficiency is calculated through thermodynamic approach is about 15%.

Recycled Paper Fibres as Sound Absorbing Material

Noise pollution is a workplace hazard which causes loss of hearing, depending on the sound pressure level and duration of exposure. Because duration of exposure is usually uncontrollable, sound absorbers are used to reduce the value of sound pressure level. A common method to reduce noise is to use porous sound absorbers made out of mineral wools or glass fibres. However, these materials pose health risks and are non-recyclable. This project aimed to fabricate a sound absorber using recycled paper which is in the form of egg cartons as an alternative to the abovementioned fibres. Paper fibres posses high fibre porosity and can be manufactured in a manner which the properties can be easily controlled, making them ideal to be made into sound absorbers. Furthermore, they are biodegradable, do not pose health risks and can be manufactured into different shapes easily. Recycled paper was first turned into pulp, blended and poured into moulds. Different amounts of pulp was compressed until the sample size was approximately 20 mm thick and then dried in a furnace dryer at 600C for 12 hours. The samples were tested using a two-microphone, transfer function impedance tubes according to the ISO 10534-2 standard. Its porosity was determined using a modified wash basin method. The results indicate that the optimum panel has an average noise reduction coefficient, (NRC) of 0.50, which qualifies it to be used as a sound absorbing material. It also encounters its maximum value of 0.98 which occurred at the 1575-1675 Hz range. When compared to other materials, recycled paper has similar properties as coir fibre and is quite comparable to other commercial sound absorbers at the same thickness.

Endoxylanase action towards the improvement of recycled fibre properties

The nature of recycled paper fibres varies widely. Those fibres contain high amounts of heteroxylans and lignin besides cellulose. In order to study the potential effect of xylanases on the quality of recycled fibres, chemithermomechanical pulp fibres (CTMP) are used as model substrates owing to their high content in non-cellulosic components. It has been found that the morphology of CTMP fibres changes by means of xylanase treatment. Treatments of CTMP fibres with an endoxylanase result in an improved surface area of the fibres by fibrillation, without shortening the fibres. The chemical composition of the surfaces of the fibres changes and an augment in surface hydrophilicity as a result of the removal of lignin and extractives associated to the xylan backbones is observed. Experimental results are in agreement with the findings when studying the chemical composition of the fibres’ surfaces: the xylan backbone is removed by the action of the endoxylanase, resulting in fibre fibrillation; further hydrolysis of released xylan chains proceeds in the bulk down to the monomer xylose.

Performance of polyolefin composites containing recycled paper fibers

AbstractAn alternative process to the conventional melt compounding for the incorporation of paper fibers into polyolefins was developed, based on the dispersion of paper fibers in a hot polyolefin solution and the subsequent precipitation of the polymer by cooling, which leads to an homogeneous polyolefin/paper compound. The hardness, tensile and dielectric properties of composite specimens prepared by compression molding of the obtained compound, with filler content ranging from 0 to 40% (w/w), were examined. The tensile strength of the examined composites decreases especially in the case of high‐density poly(ethylene) (HDPE) and poly(propylene) (PP) composites at relatively higher filler content. The modulus of elasticity was improved only for the low‐density poly(ethylene) (LDPE) composites, in comparison with unfilled specimens, and this behavior is in agreement with the observed improvement in the hardness values of these composites. Dielectric spectroscopy has been used as a characterization method of the prepared composites. It was found that the addition of newspaper fibers to the polyolefins does not significantly affect the insulating properties of the materials. In conclusion, it seemed that polyolefin/paper fiber composites with acceptable properties can be prepared by the solution/precipitation technique studied in this work. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fracture Toughness of Wood Fiber Gypsum Panels from Size Effect Law

This paper addresses the size effect of inplane bending strength as well as Mode I fracture toughness and process zone length of wood fiber-reinforced gypsum panels. Wood fiber gypsum panels represent an incombustible short fiber composite material composed of recycled paper fibers embedded in a gypsum matrix. The material, which is used for sheathing and bracing of timber frame constructions, exhibits marked fracture softening supposedly resulting in a considerable size effect. In the paper presented, in a first step Bažant’s size effect law for quasi-brittle materials is derived. The parameters of this size effect law are then determined by means of nonlinear regression analysis applied to a test series with scaled single edge notched beam specimens. Detailed consideration is given to the adequacy of linear confidence intervals of the model parameters in comparison to nonlinear inferential results. Finally, the probability densities of fracture toughness and fracture process zone length are determined f...

Preparation of Biodegradable Capsules by Using Recycled Paper Fibers.

Preparation of Biodegradable Capsules by Using Recycled Paper Fibers.

Composites made from acetylated lignocellulosic fibers of different origin

Conventional technology for manufacturing nonwoven fiber mats for the production of complex shaped fiber composite products involves a needling step in which textile fibers are entangled with lignocellulosic fibers coated with a thermosetting resin. The technique used in this project for the production of nonwoven fiber mats involves bicomponent thermoplastic fibers that, upon heating and subsequent cooling, form an elastic network together with the lignocellulosic fibers. Powdered phenolic resin of the novolak type was added to the mat forming step. The main objectives of this study were : to investigate how the composition of the fiber mat affects molding ability, and to ensure that the benefits of acetylation, i.e., the dimensional stability of the molded product, remain. An experimental design was used to evaluate the effects resulting from the following factors : the type of lignocellulosic fiber, with or without the acetylation of lignocellulosic fiber, the type and concentration of thermoplastic fiber. The lignocellulosic fibers examined were softwood, aspen, wheat straw, beech, waste wood and recycled paper fiber. The presence of thermoplastic fibers has no negative effect upon the improvement of dimensional stability obtained by acetylation. Both the concentration level and type of thermoplastic fiber had a great impact on the tensile strength of the fiber mat and its molding ability. Aspen and softwood fiber mats showed good results, even at a low thermoplastic content. It was shown that provided the proper type and concentration of thermoplastic fiber are chosen, a wide variety of lignocellulosic fibers can be used to produce fiber mats with good molding ability.

Production of cellulases and xylanases byTrichoderma viride and biological processing of lignocellulose and recycled paper fibers

Production of cellulases and xylanases byTrichoderma viride and biological processing of lignocellulose and recycled paper fibers