Improve Waste Management Solution of Liquid Barrier Paper Packaging by Using Water-based Polymer Coating Replacing the Plastic Film Lamination

This research aimed to
study the properties of water-based polymer coated paper instead of film
lamination and the possible of waste management through paper recycling. The
barrier property of the coated Kraft paper was analyzed by using Cobb test
compared to the non-coated paper. The results showed that Kraft paper with a smoother
surface coated with the higher viscosity of water-based polymer was better in
water resistance. The coated paper samples were also improved in tensile
strength and burst resistance and could be heat-sealed to make a side-sealed
bag for filling the liquid substance without leakage. For waste management by
paper recycling, the polymer film on the coated paper was easily removed from
the disintegrated pulp with a nonionic surfactant mixed with sodium silicate solution
before forming the paper sheet. The residual film spots as defects on the
recycled paper was inspected and the transfer of water-based printing ink was
observed. The smoother surface of paper with the lower viscosity of barrier
coating had fewer film spot defects on the surface. Therefore, the water-based
polymer coating could be alternatively applied to replace the plastic-film
lamination for barrier properties of eco-friendly paper packaging and enhance waste
management by using recycling process.