Cellulose Paper-based Strapping Products for Green/Sustainable Packaging Needs

Abstract

Paper products such as corrugated paperboards are the most common green packaging materials, which are renewable, sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable. However, the plastic or metal straps used to secure the carton boxes are not so green. At the end of packaging, the carton boxes can be recycled, but the plastic/metal straps have to be sorted out for disposal separately. This review focuses on: 1) the global trend of green packaging; 2) conventional plastic/metal strapping materials for carton boxes; 3) conventional market pulp baling with steel wire as the tying materials; 4) cellulose fiber-based materials for strapping market pulp bales and carton boxes. New generation of cellulose paper straps are being developed for more challenging applications with superior strength properties and repulpability.