Study: Fiber-Based Packaging Can Be Recycled More Than 25 Times A new university study has dispelled the myth of a limit on the number of recycling loops for fiber-based packaging, saying that paper, board, cartonboard and folding boxes can be recycled more than 25 times with little to no loss of integrity. For the study, the Graz University of Technol- ogy in Austria (TU Graz) repeatedly recycled folding car- tonboard to understand what effect, if any, there would be on the mechanical properties of the material, including its innate strength and crush resistance. “No negative effect on the mechanical properties in question can be demon- strated in this study. The swelling capacity of the fiber also showed no negative trend,” the university reported. According to Winfried Muehling, General Manager of Pro Carton, the European association for carton and car- tonboard manufacturers, the findings draw a line under a common myth that fiber-based packaging can only be recycled four to seven times before it loses integrity. “It highlights that paper and board fibers are much more du- rable than previously considered. In fact, Rene Eckhart, senior scientist at TU Graz, who led the research, believes that the limit on how many times paper, carton and car- tonboard can be recycled is actually dictated more by the stock preparation process and achieved collection and re- cycling quota,” Muehling said in a statement. The current recycling rate for paper and board packag- ing in Europe stands at approximately 84.2 percent, and the European paper industry has set itself a target of a 90 percent recycling rate by 2030. “To keep our circular business model running, we will always need a sound mix of virgin and recovered fiber. Some customers have specific product requirements al- lowing only virgin fiber, for instance those requiring pack- aging intended for direct food contact with moist or greasy food like chocolate. Other examples include luxury pack- aging with special requirements regarding the whiteness or stiffness of the material which will certainly need virgin fibers,” Muehling noted. “For our industry it is crucial to collect, sort and recycle all fiber materials in the market. Virgin and recovered fiber are equally important for the circular economy, which is something many of our brands and retailers are looking to support,” he added. Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has built up an impressive record of achievements in teaching and research over the last 200 years. The research activities range from high-quality basic research and application-ori- ented research to industrial implementation. Co-operation projects with science and business play an important role. The TU Graz consolidates its competence thematically in the five “fields of expertise” by carrying out top research in important areas for the future from human and biotech- nology to mobility and production or advanced materials science.
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OHIO BLOW PIPE/ADVANCED AIRSYSTEMS www.obpairsystems.com For 85 years the Ohio Blow Pipe company and its whol- ly owned subsidiary, Advanced Airsystems, have provided the corrugated and folding carton industries with systems and products to process scrap. We engineer, fabricate, in- stall, service, provide system audits, and offer a wide range of scrap systems, dust collection systems and products to include cyclones, under roof AIR-SCREEN™ systems, pit belt systems, CLEANAIR dust collectors, Mist-Clone™ dust control systems for vacuum feeds, material handling fans, ductwork, switch valves, airveyors, balers, shredders and dust briquetters. OMP www.omp.com OMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges to excel, grow and thrive by offering the best digitized sup- ply chain planning solution on the market. Its Unison Plan- ning concept has a unique approach. It handles all supply chain planning challenges in a unified way, synchronizing all planning stages, horizons, functions and roles. Hundreds of customers run OMP’s cloud-based solution to generate more value by making informed decisions. OMP invests one out of every three dollars earned into innovation.
PAPER AND DUST PROS, INC. www.paperanddustpros.com
We custom design, install and service air conveyed scrap and dust collection systems. Our unique APS® is smaller, lighter, and more reliable than current cyclones. Contact us to learn how the APS® System can enhance your operation.
PROFERO SYSTEMS, INC. www.ProferoSystems.com
Profero Systems the leader in double facer heating and traction section conversions along with other performance enhancing products. Featuring products from Contact Bars and Compensating Rolls to New Glue Machines and Double Facers.
GF PUHL www.gfpuhl.com
GF PUHL designs, manufactures and installs air conveyed scrap & dust collection systems for the packaging and cor- rugated industries. With 37 years of experience, USA and International. We offer below or above roof systems featur- ing cyclones OR screen separators with real time pressure balancing for optimal dust control. High efficiency cyclones for sheet transfer exhaust systems eliminate water con- sumption and deliver dust directly to compactor or briquet- ter for low maintenance, long term sustainability and reli- ability. System audits, dust explosivity tests and dust hazard analysis (DHA’s) available. Re-manufactured balers, filters, blowers and shredders available at significant savings.
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www.boardconvertingnews.com
January 31, 2022
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