PAPERFLEX

PROJECT TITLE

PAPERFLEX: Research for the reduction of plastic in flexible structures and the development of repulpable PAPER structures for FLEXIBLE packaging.

GENERAL DATA:

Program: CIRCULAR ECONOMY DGA
Ref. No.: EC-10-2022
RESOLUTION Date: 11/16/2022
Execution date: 01/09/2022-31/08/2024

PRESENTATION AND OBJECTIVES:

SAICA and ITAINNOVA collaborate as partners in the PAPERFLEX project, in which they will undertake actions aimed at researching new paper-based structures with functionalities equivalent to plastics in the packaging process and product, maintaining or improving their circularity.
The main objective of the project is focused on the research and development of paper structures; circular and functional both with the packaged product and in the packer’s production lines, so that it is possible to obtain packaging with functionalities similar to plastics; associated with product protection and productivity of the packaging process, but being compatible with paper recycling processes, improving the level of paper recovery. The PaperFlex project is therefore aimed at redesigning the flexible packaging offer, with the objective of reducing the plastic content in SAICAFLEX’s portfolio by 20% by 2025.
The following specific research objectives are included within this general objective:
(1) Analysis of new types of base paper (origin, composition and production process) to achieve the necessary characteristics of mechanical functionality and machinability for the converting process.
(2) Investigation of new configurations of paper-based structures, virgin and/or recycled, aimed at reducing the plastic/non-repulpable material content in paper structures.
(3) Research and development of coatings that provide functional properties to base papers for packaging and product preservation.
(4) Research and design of new 100% repulpable and recyclable paper structures based on the application of coatings that provide mechanical, optical, barrier and product conservation functionalities.
(5) Study of the interaction between paper and functional coatings by molecular simulation processes, and their feedback for the design of new paper structures.
(6) Investigation of the extension of the recycling capabilities of new paper structures developed from ecodesign.

PARTICIPATING ENTITIES:

Saica Flexible SA
Aragon Institute of Technology

BUDGET:

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET: 648,196.50 €.
TOTAL BUDGET ITAINNOVA: 252,500 €.

FINANCING:

TOTAL PROJECT GRANT: 325,000 €.
TOTAL FINANCING ITAINNOVA: 120,835 €.

The PAPERFLEX project whose reference is EC-10-2022 has been financed by
Department of Economy, Planning and Employment of the Government of Aragon.