Mineral oil in board and paper recycling

Abstract

Paper for recycling is the most important fibre raw material of the German paper industry. 16.3 Mio t of paper for recycling was utilised in 2010 corresponding to 72% of the total fibre raw material input for paper and board production. In comparison to the used virgin fibre-based chemical and mechanical pulp, the utilised amount of paper for recycling is about 2.6 times higher. The utilisation of paper for recycling in the four major paper product categories is developed differently and reaches its highest utilisation rates traditionally in the production of packaging paper and board (100%). In absolute figures, the yearly usage of paper for recycling in this area is with 10.2 Mio t about twice as high as for the production of graphic papers (4.9 Mio t). Recycling creates places of employment and saves the resources raw material, energy and water. Wood is a very important renewable raw material which is used in many fields of application. Also, the paper industry requires wood for the production of virgin fibres to ensure the multiple use of the construction material paper. It is necessary to upright the paper recycling loop to cover the tremendous demand of paper in Europe. In the final consequence, it means that the problem of mineral oil migration from board to foodstuff – mainly discussed in Germany – has to be treated and solved on a European level. The possible solutions and drawbacks for the folding boxboard production as packaging material discussed in this chapter include: The substitution of paper for recycling by virgin fibres.The utilisation of paper grades for recycling with lower newspaper content in comparison to the typically used mixed paper grades for recycling.The usage of mineral oil-free chemical additives in virgin fibre and paper production.The opportunities to remove mineral oil in processing of paper for recycling.The use of barrier coatings and bags in box systems.The conversion of the offset printing process for newspapers to other print systems.The substitution of mineral oil by vegetable oil in offset coldset inks.