Creating biodegradable and recyclable lignocellulose-based materials for flexible packaging solutions
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Aeronautics
Abstract
Background:
Many soft plastic materials often used for commercial packaging solutions are non-recyclable, non-biodegradable and cause long term damage to the environment. The purpose of this project is to investigate a biodegradable and recyclable lignocellulose-derived alternative to fossil-derived flexible packaging solutions.
Key objectives:
- Develop flexible paper with high gas barrier properties that is suitable for integration onto existing high-speed processing operations where currently plastics are used
- Produce a life cycle analysis (LCA) of the derived flexible paper product to assess the environmental impact of the solution in comparison to existing soft-plastic packaging
- Produce a techno-economic analysis (TEA) for the developed material to assess the economic feasibility of implementation to existing processes and commercial markets
- Identify commercial relevance and value-added products
Methodology:
- Nanocellulose (cellulose fibres of nano-scale size) and other potential surface additives will be used to create flexible low gsm (gram per square meter) paper with improved O2/N2 barrier properties
- To achieve "pore-filling" effect nanocellulose will be introduced using either layer-by-layer spraying onto prefabricated low gsm paper, or by direct dispersion into aqueous pulp suspension within the creation of the low gsm paper
- Aspen HYSYS will be used to produce material and energy balances as well as a process flow diagram for a conceptual pilot plant for manufacture of the developed lignocellulosic material.
- The mass and energy balance data will be used to produce a LCA, with goal of answering the question "Can lignocellulosic-based flexible packaging replace fossil-derived competitors in an environmentally meaningful and sustainable manner?"
- The LCA results will identify hot-spots in the manufacturing chain and will allow for optimisation of the proposed manufacturing process and minimisation of the environmental impact.
- The TEA will be produced using data obtained via the Aspen HYSYS simulation to investigate economic feasibility of the proposed process
Many soft plastic materials often used for commercial packaging solutions are non-recyclable, non-biodegradable and cause long term damage to the environment. The purpose of this project is to investigate a biodegradable and recyclable lignocellulose-derived alternative to fossil-derived flexible packaging solutions.
Key objectives:
- Develop flexible paper with high gas barrier properties that is suitable for integration onto existing high-speed processing operations where currently plastics are used
- Produce a life cycle analysis (LCA) of the derived flexible paper product to assess the environmental impact of the solution in comparison to existing soft-plastic packaging
- Produce a techno-economic analysis (TEA) for the developed material to assess the economic feasibility of implementation to existing processes and commercial markets
- Identify commercial relevance and value-added products
Methodology:
- Nanocellulose (cellulose fibres of nano-scale size) and other potential surface additives will be used to create flexible low gsm (gram per square meter) paper with improved O2/N2 barrier properties
- To achieve "pore-filling" effect nanocellulose will be introduced using either layer-by-layer spraying onto prefabricated low gsm paper, or by direct dispersion into aqueous pulp suspension within the creation of the low gsm paper
- Aspen HYSYS will be used to produce material and energy balances as well as a process flow diagram for a conceptual pilot plant for manufacture of the developed lignocellulosic material.
- The mass and energy balance data will be used to produce a LCA, with goal of answering the question "Can lignocellulosic-based flexible packaging replace fossil-derived competitors in an environmentally meaningful and sustainable manner?"
- The LCA results will identify hot-spots in the manufacturing chain and will allow for optimisation of the proposed manufacturing process and minimisation of the environmental impact.
- The TEA will be produced using data obtained via the Aspen HYSYS simulation to investigate economic feasibility of the proposed process
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/X524773/1 | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2888413 | Studentship | EP/X524773/1 | 01/10/2023 | 30/09/2027 |