Food migration issues have arisen as a result of packaging materials containing recycled fibres for which one of the primary raw materials is newspapers. Newspaper printing inks contain mineral oil as solvents, as do many commercial printing inks. During the recycling process only 90% of the printing ink components can be removed.  If these substrates are used for food packaging applications, the mineral oil compounds can migrate from the cardboard into the foodstuffs, even when an inner bag is used. Especially dry and greasy foods such as rice, pasta, cereal and chocolate products are affected.

Developed in partnership with BASF and Eurofins, the innovative flexpack substrate received very positive market feedback following its introduction at Fachpack 2013. Brand owners are now able to use their current recycled fibre based folding boxes, shelf ready packs and transport boxes.  The food inside will be protected by inner bags, pouches and sachets made from Sappi mineral oil barrier papers such as:

• Leine Guard M for inner bags combines Machine Glazed Bleached Kraft (MGBK) paper with the mineral oil barrier on the reverse side. It is available in 80 g/m²  to 120 g/m².
• Algro Guard M has been designed for gravure printed primary packaging such as pouches, sachets, bags and wrappers, and is available in 90 g/m² to 140 g/m². This grade incorporates a blade coating on the top side for gravure printability with the mineral oil barrier on the reverse side.

AlgroGuard M and Leine Guard M protect packaged food from mineral oil compounds that are a complex mixture of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and unsaturated hydrocarbons (MOAH). This new mineral oil barrier functionality protect food for minimum 15 months; and as there is no use of PET or aluminium, it is a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost effective material.

Efficient and sustainable substrate

“The integrated solution of mineral oil barrier functionality combined with excellent heat sealing properties minimise converting process steps and considerably reduce costs in the supply chain.” comments René Köhler, Product Group Manager Flexpack Sappi Fine Paper Europe.  In addition the integrated and recyclable paper grade solution is providing superior converting properties. Test have shown that the grades offering also a barrier against aroma and grease. As a result, Algro Guard M and Leine Guard M are highly efficient and sustainable mineral oil barrier packaging solutions for the food industry. Sappi Algro^® Guard M and Leine^® Guard M, will become commercially available beginning of June of 2014.

The post Sappi’s New Barrier Substrates Address Migration Concerns Mineral Oil first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Despite increased awareness, large amounts of recoverable paper and board packaging are still unnecessarily dumped in landfill sites. According to the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (RecyclePaperZA), only 5% of homes actively recycle their paper and board.

Paper, one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable products, is made from farmed trees, just as your bread or cereal is made from farmed wheat or corn.

In South Africa, 600 million trees across 762,000 hectares are specifically grown for use in pulp and paper manufacture and the industry plants in excess of 260,000 trees every single day. South Africa’s timber plantations, which cater for pulp and paper, furniture and other wood based-products, lock up 900 million tons of carbon dioxide and release life-giving oxygen through the natural process of photosynthesis.

Because trees, wood and paper products store carbon as solid matter, paper recycling is one of the simplest ways that we can green our future as we can help keep this carbon out of the atmosphere for longer.

“If we do not recycle, paper will rot among other rubbish and emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide,” says Ursula Henneberry, operations director for RecyclePaperZA.

Did you know?

• A tonne of recycled paper can save up to three cubic metres of landfill space and subsequently reduce transport costs for local municipalities.
• By recycling paper, milk and juice cartons, glass, aluminium and plastic, we contribute to less pollution and litter, and create a healthier, greener and cleaner society.
• Paper can be recycled up to seven times. Some virgin or new wood fibre is required to make recycled paper possible in the first place and is always needed to keep the global fibre cycle going.
• Recycling creates jobs for many in the informal and formal sector.

Top tips for aspiring recyclers

• Do your research and find out which companies collect paper in your area. Visit www.mywaste.co.za for these details.
• Do not mix your paper with other recyclables.
• Do not let your paper get wet or soiled by other rubbish. Keep it under cover or in a closed plastic container.
• Get to know what is recyclable and what is not. The following paper types cannot be recycled:
  • Foil gift wrapping and foil lined boxes
  • Wax coated or laminated boxes such as frozen food boxes
  • Empty cement and dog food bags
  • Disposable nappies
  • Carbon paper
  • Sticky notes

For more information about paper recycling, visit, www.mywaste.co.za or www.thepaperstory.co.za.

The post Pick paper for your presents and recycle it for your future first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).