HOW FAR CAN PAPER REPLACE PLASTICS? Barrier properties in paper packaging have come on significantly in recent years – so much so that some would argue they may come to equal plastics in terms of product protection. But can they really ‘replace’ plastics? Victoria Hattersley spoke to a few industry insiders to explore this question.
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here was a time when the answer to the above question would be simpler; not very far at all. But as those in the industry will know, advances in material properties for paper when it comes to product protection have been closing the gap as far as what this material can achieve. But how far is ‘far enough’? Let’s not forget that the biggest barrier for paper packaging producers to achieving parity with plastics when it comes to product protection is just that – barriers. Even if a package is almost entirely paper-based, it will still need some kind of coating if it is to contain perishable products – and often these will be polymer-based.
The challenges with paper “Paper is certainly an option where low or no barrier is needed,” says Gerald Rebitzer, Director of Sustainability, Amcor. “For packaging perishable or sensitive products, however, paper becomes a more complex option. This is because paper is inherently porous and hydrophilic (attracts moisture) and therefore only provides a limited barrier. It is not comparable to plastics, which can provide a high oxygen and moisture barrier, so it’s unlikely that paper could fully replace plastics for all applications. To get around the limitations of paper for perishable products, it is usually combined with certain polymers or coatings to create a barrier, so the packaging will never be 100% paper.” | 16 | Packaging Europe
“The other challenge with paper is its ability to run on our customers’ existing packing machines, because paper has significantly weaker mechanical properties than plastic-based alternatives. Amcor is working with multiple partners along the full value chain to address both of these challenges.” There is also the often-raised topic of the resource-intense paper-making process. Not only does it require billions of tonnes of water per year, it also requires substantial amounts of energy – contributing, according to some estimates, around 2% of the world’s total carbon footprint. It also, many argue, contributes to net deforestation and hence more carbon emissions, as the areas felled would have been storing CO2. Meanwhile plastics are cheap and far less resource-intensive to produce. We’re aware of all these arguments, but it’s not quite so cut-and-dried, say paper advocates. “In terms of sustainability – recycling and CO2 wise – responsibly sourced paper packaging is superior to all plastics, due its renewable source and low or no use of fossil fuels in production,” says Patrik Bosander, Business Unit Director Packaging Solutions at BillerudKorsnäs on behalf of Packz. “There is still work to be done in further lowering the CO2 impact of paper production, and increasing the already comparatively high recycling rates of paper packaging. Responsible companies like BillerudKorsnäs and its peers have adopted, and got approval
