Topchim introduces new biopolymer as a wax substitute for packaging

Topchim (Antwerp, Belgium) has announced the introduction of an environmental friendly, patented, nano-dispersed biopolymer as a substitute for wax emulsions in producing super hydrophobic paper and cardboard packaging.

As Topchim state, 'The packaging industry is seeking easy recyclable and environmental friendly packaging solutions made of renewable resources. TopChim ........ has developed an innovative biopolymer as a competitive, ecological substitute for wax emulsions used in the coating production of hydrophobic paper and board packaging. This 2-year research program has resulted in a new coating technology for paper and cardboard that counters the disadvantages of using wax emulsions while maintaining the excellent water barrier performances.'

What is it? The new biopolymer is of vegetable origin, while most used wax emulsions are produced from petrochemicals; it is biopolymer with a monodisperse size-distribution of nano-particles with a regular shape; and, it is reported to show other important advantages for the surface treatment of paper and cardboard compared to the use of wax emulsions:

• requires no stabilizers even with a high solid content
• viscosity remains low (65% solids at +/- 300 cps with Brookfield 23°C 100 rpm spindle 5)
  
• coating machines can simply be rinsed with water
  
• has a higher temperature resistance and is less sticky, which improves the handling of the treated paper and cardboard in production.

Marketed as TopScreen DS13, it is approved for a wide variety of paper and board coating applications, both in-line and off-machine.

TopScreen DS13 will be introduced during the second half of 2008 in Europe and South America. TopChim has a total production capacity of 10,000 tons at 2 plants in Europe with plans to invest in additional production capacity in South America.

The announcement highlights the opportunity to replace wax but does not mention opportunities to replace fluorochemicals where paper and packaging companies continue to look for fluorine-free alternatives. See one of the earlier blogs, or look at all our related blogs by clicking on the drop-down menu on the right hand side --> 'blog topics', 'p fluorochemicals'.

PFOS, PFOA, bioaccumulation, Canda International

The future for paper chemicals ..... some views from suppliers, users and a consultant

Some leading suppliers, users and a consultant were asked for their views on the future of paper chemicals and an interesting summary is given in the Tappi Paper 360 article by Glen Ostle. Topics include:

• Investment in R&D - various figures are given for the percentage an total amounts that companies spend but in my experience there is not a common definition of R&D and companies like to bolster the figures by including all technically-related activities as R&D. R&D spending of 2.5-3% of sales is mentioned, but inreality the figure is probably closer to 2%.
  
• Market drivers - cost is always high on the list and with escalating energy, raw material, transport and regulatory costs, this is not surprising. Other drivers include, environmental issues such as sustainability, use of renewable resources and compliance with changing regulation. The increasing need for strength is mentioned, driven by fibre shortage (use of alternative fibres), recycling and the need to use less fibre (cost). Increased demand for water-treatment chemicals, especially in India and China. De-inking will increase and demand for innovation in this area will continue.
  
• Future product demands - new coating binders based on natural products/renewable resources (eg biopolymer latexes). Recyclable barrier coatings. Biotechnology will play an increasingly important role as will the environmental agenda.
  
• Industry consolidation - the paper chemical supply industry remains very fragmented and future consolidation is inevitable. The emergence of a few global leaders plus specialists in certain stand-alone segments is expected. Surprisingly, no mention is made of the rapid growth of quality manufacturers and suppliers from India and China, perhaps because there were no contributors with strong experience of the supply industry in these emerging markets (or they preferred to live in denial of the impact that not-traditional suppliers are having in the market).
  

The article is interesting and more a confirmation of grass-root thinking rather than offering any new ideas.

The views of people from the following companies are given: Nalco, Hercules Paper Technologies & Ventures, Minerals Technologies, Klass Associates, Kemira Pulp & Paper, Buckman Laboratories, Dow Chemicals, Omya and Cargill.

New equipment for testing high barrier materials

News from the Packaging gateway on a new device from PBI-Dansensor (the L80-5000 LP) water vapour permeability tester. The new model has been specifically designed for the measurement of high-barrier materials with very low Water Vapour Transmission Rates (WVTR) such as those found in high barrier films and foils. Improved measurement sensitivity, faster measurements, and a better repeatability and reliability of measurement results are claimed:

• Improved measurement sensitivity: the lower measurement limit of the L80-5000 LP is 0.003 g/m²/24hr.
• Faster measurement times, particularly for low permeability materials.
• Improved stability and reproducibility of measurements, providing more reliable test results.
• Improved sensor response and resolution, providing more accurate measurements at low water vapour transmission rates.
• Faster confirmation of the attainment of steady state conditions over the sample film using more frequent measurements.
• Improved instrument linearity over measurement interval, providing better results.
• Optimisation of the intrinsic leak rate within the tester, thereby reducing ambient effects and allowing a lower measurement sensitivity level.

Ciba announce recyclable alternative to traditional wax for corrugated boxes

With waxes (difficult to recycle) and fluorochemicals (PBT issues with PFOA and PFOS) rightly receiving bad press, there is pressure on paper and board companies to find new approaches to developing barrier properties.

In the news this last week was an announcement by Ciba Specialty Chemicals of wax replacement products for corrugated boxes. Ciba has signed an exclusive agreement with Spectra-Kote Corporation of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA for the global marketing of Spectra-Kote’s line of wax-alternative materials (marketed as WAM products) which allow corrugated box makers to produce wax-free boxes that are both functional and environmentally friendly. WAM products waterproof solid boxboard, and unlike traditional waxed corrugated boxes, can be recycled, and are therefore attractive to fruit/vegetable growers and retailers.

WAM technology uses a combination of paper additives and specific papermaking processes.