New Fibre Based Packaging Materials

There is a great need to find circular, low carbon footprint packaging solutions for various branches of the society. The Single Use Plastics (SUP) directive from 2019 promotes circular solutions that give priority to sustainable and non-toxic re-usable systems and products rather than to single used products. One of the main objectives with the Directive is to reduce the use of plastics in single use items, where plastics are defined as chemically modified polymers. Natural polymers are, however, not covered by the Directive as they are found naturally in the environment. The definition of a natural polymer is a polymer that is formed in nature with limited chemical modification by humans. In this study a number of fibre-based materials that are based on natural polymers and can be used for packaging are presented. General potential and limitations of natural polymers in terms of barrier properties are discussed. Finally, different technologies for applying natural polymers on fibre-based substrates are assessed.

Keywords:
Natural polymers, fibre-based packaging, plastic free, single use, circular economy  

Learning Outcomes: 

The participants will learn to recognize the potential and limitations of using natural polymers in fibre-based packaging applications. The participants will learn how to select specific natural polymers coatings for different applications to achieve specific material properties. Furthermore, the participants will learn how to evaluate the properties of natural polymer coated materials.  

Speaker: 

Mats Käldström

• Tech. from Åbo Akademi University (Industrial Chemistry, 2011)
• Background in R&D (catalysis of biomass)
  • Max-Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany (Post-doc Researcher 2011-2013)
  • Neste R&D (Researcher, 2013-2018)
• Current role: Manager -Development and Innovation at Walki Group Oy, with focus on product development (2018-)