Paper & board
Last updated
Last updated
Paper and board have a long tradition as packaging materials. They are made of cellulose fibers that are mainly derived from wood. Paper and board are renewable and biodegradable materials. They are typically used as packaging material for dry foods, e.g., flour, rice, and pasta. In addition, they are broadly applied as secondary packaging, for example, cardboard boxes containing a plastic bag. Chemical treatments or combinations with other materials extend the application of paper and board packaging to liquid and/or fatty foods, making them functional candidates for takeaway food and beverage containers.
Paper and board packaging is made from cellulosic fibers, typically derived from renewable resources such as wood or bamboo. Virgin fibers are typically used for the production of primary food packaging, to maintain the desired mechanical properties, and to avoid cross-contamination issues from recycled paper streams containing all kinds of printed paper not intended for food contact.
Key environmental concerns associated with paper and board production are deforestation and energy and water consumption, as well as air, water, and land pollution (the pulp and paper industry needs various chemical inputs to operate). The impacts can be mitigated when using cellulose from certified sources (sustainable forestry) or when using alternative sources, i.e. from agricultural or food wastes, such as bagasse.
Paper and board products are often produced with various additives such as fillers, coatings, and synthetic binders. These materials are frequently printed, dyed, or glued, leading to a complex and often unknown chemical composition. Due to their porous nature, paper and board have low barrier properties, allowing chemicals from the packaging, including those from printing inks and adhesives, to migrate into the food.
Paper and board are increasingly used as alternatives to plastic, especially when coated or chemically treated to be waterproof or grease-resistant. However, such treatments, sometimes involving substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can compromise chemical safety, as all PFAS are highly persistent and many are harmful to human health.
At the end of their lifecycle, paper and board packaging can be recycled, though the presence of coatings, chemical treatments, or food contamination can limit this potential. While these materials are theoretically compostable, persistent chemicals like PFAS can spread into the environment through composting. During paper and board packaging production with recycled material, fresh fibers are usually added to maintain quality, and chemicals from the recycling stream may remain in the final product, potentially migrating into food.
To reduce chemical migration, strategies like using virgin fibers, internal bags, or barrier layers can be employed, but these can impact recyclability and environmental sustainability. This highlights the need to avoid hazardous chemicals throughout the production process of paper and board to ensure safer and more sustainable packaging.
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