Recycling of cellulose-based "EPS"

Purpose and goal

A new cellulose-based material has been developed in a previous project, which can be used instead of EPS in existing equipment for molding protective packaging materials. The goal of this project is to show that the material can be recycled with cardboard. The cardboard and the protective molded material are collected together for the production of recycled paper pulp. The returned pulp is then used to manufacture new cardboard and new molded protective materials. The circle is closed.

Expected effects and result

We want to show that the new foamed material can be recycled in the cardboard return, and can be used to manufacture recycled cardboard. We show with these results that the material flow for the new packaging material can be recycled in the carton return and that we have succeeded in closing the circle. The material is cellulose-based, recyclable and can be manufactured from newly produced and recycled cellulose.

Planned approach and implementation

Cellofibers Sweden AB will manufacture a number of different batches of Cellufiber Granules for molding into protective packaging products at Lindepac. The products will be manufactured with slightly different properties, including different water-repellent properties, to meet the requirements set by Lindepac´s customers. The molded products will be tested by Fiskeby Board for return handling and paper production in lab and full scale.