The project ran between June and November 2023.
A limitation of paper packaging is their sensitivity to moisture. For packages exposed to high or varying humidity, gradual deformation occurs under long-term loading, a phenomenon known as creep. Creep often limits the life of the packaging. The resistance of the paper material to creep can be improved by cross-linking the cellulose material. In this project, it was verified that carboxymethylated hemicellulose can be used as a cross-linker to prevent creep at both high and varied humidity.
Cross-linking with carboxymethylated hemicellulose not only gives the paper industry a way to improve the properties of packaging paper, but also an opportunity to utilize the hemicellulose from wood, which is otherwise a residual product in the production of paper pulp. Carboxymethylated hemicellulose is also a sustainable alternative to fossil-based paper chemicals.
Participants
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, RISE PFI, DS Smith, Metsä Board, Mondi Powerflute and StoraEnso.
Budget
The project’s total budget was 1 MSEK.