Paper waste is expected to become plastic products raw materials

In the manufacture of paper and paperboard, a great deal of fly ash and sludge are produced. Although some can be used as aggregate in concrete, most of the paper waste is eventually dumped into landfills. Today, paper waste is expected to treasure it. It is expected to be used as raw material for making plastic products.

However this may be about to change, because the Finland scientists have discovered that the plastic products can be used as raw materials. As part of the Reffibre project, researchers at Finland National Center for technology research has been carried out laboratory tests showed that ash particles and sludge can replace injection or extrusion plastic composite materials in 50% polypropylene.

This method can not only avoid the paper waste is poured into the landfill, but also reduce the cost of the production of plastic products, reduce the required amount of polypropylene. In addition, the strength, stiffness, heat resistance, appearance and surface texture of the plastic can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of the ash particle / sludge to polypropylene.

So far, the VTT team has created a plastic floor tile and storage containers, which consists of 30% paper-making waste. Paper waste is also expected to be used to make crates and pallets, the researchers said.