Cellulose https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-02235-6 (0123456789().,-volV) ( 0123458697().,-volV)
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Manufacturing fit-for-purpose paper packaging containers with controlled biodegradation rate by optimizing addition of natural fillers
. Jakub Sandak
. Izabela Modzelewska
Anna Sandak
Received: 17 April 2018 / Accepted: 24 December 2018 The Author(s) 2019
Abstract Natural fillers were utilized for manufac- turing horticultural packaging products. Five types of pots produced from waste paper with wheat and rye bran additions were compared with commercially available containers. The aim was to examine the influence of soil type on the degradation rate and kinetics. Pots were degraded in three soil types: agriculture, forest and sandy soils and were monitored after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. NIR spectroscopy was used for non-destructive evaluation of the chemical composi- tion of the investigated papers in addition to typically A. Sandak J. Sandak CNR-IVALSA Trees and Timber Institute, via Biasi 75, 38010 San Michele all Adige, Italy A. Sandak J. Sandak ( & ) InnoRenew CoE Renewable Materials and Healthy Environments Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence, Livade 6, 6310 Izola, Slovenia e-mail: jakub.sandak@innorenew.eu A. Sandak J. Sandak University of Primorska, Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenia I. Modzelewska Institute of Chemical Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, ul. Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland I. Modzelewska Printing House ‘‘Ekorol’’ Limited Liability Company, ul. Ustronna 7, 62-006 Janikowo, Poland
used standard methods. All tested configurations of papers might be used for manufacturing of plantable bio-containers that will slowly disintegrate during their use. The addition of cereal bran improves mechanical properties of the paper and extends the lifespan of pots. The rate and extent of decomposition depends mainly on the degradation time and type of soil. Paper pots in all tested configurations degraded most quickly in agricultural and forest soils, each stimulating growth of microorganisms responsible for the decomposition of paper. The obtained results allow selection of products with optimal composition for specific applications and to design the packaging containers degradation time in various in-field scenar- ios. The manufacturing approach proposed increases the positive footprint of packaging products by designing ‘‘eco-effective’’ solutions according to the Cradle to Cradle design framework.
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