Application of recycled fibers from used aseptic carton for the production of packaging paper I - Evaluation of recyclability of used aseptic carton using pilot-scale equipments

초록

Packaging papers are usually made of unbleached kraft pulp (UKP) and Korean old corrugated container (KOCC). The KOCC consumption for the production of kraft paper, corrugated medium, and linerboard has gradually increased with the expansion of e-commerce and parcel service industry. The most important properties of industrial papers are their strength (e.g., tensile, compression, and burst strengths) because one of their major functions is to protect goods against external forces. However, the KOCC is not enough to improve the desired strength properties because of the fiber property deterioration caused by the repeated recycling process. Therefore, a new material that would replace the KOCC in achieving an improved paper strength should be found. Aseptic carton, which comprises 80% paperboard and 20% plastic films and aluminum layers, is a potential alternative for KOCC because the paperboard in the carton pack is made of UKP. This study assessed the recyclability of used aseptic carton (UAC) using a pilot-scale pulper and a screen. The UAC yield was approximately 74%, indicating that fibers could almost be obtained via the paper recycling process. The reject materials comprised aluminum and plastics. The fiber properties were satisfactory compared to UKP. The length and width of the UAC fibers were slightly shorter and narrower and the water retention value and freeness were better than those of the other recycled fibers obtained using double lined kraft and used gable top. © 2019 Korean Technical Assoc. of the Pulp and Paper Industry. All rights reserved.

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