Paper Technology International 2020 - Journal - Page 18

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Figure 3: Folding boxboard rolls at Metsä Board
Husum mill.
Energy/emissions
From the perspective of paperboard’s climate impact
and carbon footprint, the energy used in production carries the
most relevance. Paper and paperboard companies mostly use
renewable bioenergy produced from the wood-based side streams
of their processes, such as black liquor, bark, and logging residue.
Companies in this industry have begun setting targets for reducing
their fossil fuel use. Metsä Board has committed to fossil-free
production and energy purchases by 2030.
It is relevant to note that wood is a renewable raw material,
so fibre-based packaging materials offer a more ecological
alternative to fossil-based packaging materials (e.g., plastic). At
Metsä Board, we have made significant efforts to reduce our carbon
footprint and environmental impact.
Lightweighting
The product, paper or paperboard, should be produced using
the minimal amount of renewable raw materials in its composition
without compromising quality. Using the minimal amount of
materials means less energy, water, and raw material consumed
during production, reducing both scope 1 and 2 emissions. The
product will also be lighter in weight. Enabling light-weighting
allows both financial as well as environmental benefits to the
packaging producers, and it also reduces transportation emissions
which positively influences our scope 3 emissions. Lighter weight
packaging reduces emissions across the entire value chain.
Metsä Board’s folding boxboard production capacity is 1.3 million
tonnes annually. If all of that were used to produce pharmaceutical
packages weighing seven grams each, it would be enough to make
430 million packages a day. Cutting the paperboard weight by just
1% would save the amount of natural resources needed to produce
4.3 million packages a day. It also results in the generation of
less waste once the product is disposed. By further optimising the
materials and design structure of packaging, the packaging industry
can provide its customers with even more sustainable and high
performing packaging solutions.
Fresh Fibres
In many countries around the world, recycled paperboard
is considered the more ecological choice when compared to fresh
fibres. The thought process is that utilising recycled paperboard
for new products mitigates deforestation and reduces waste. While
this sounds logical, it does not take into account many important
factors. Recycled fibres contain traces of ink and other impurities
that may end up in the packaged product and be harmful to human
health. Fresh fibre paperboards are the safest choice of fibre
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packaging for sensitive end uses like direct food
contact. Fresh fibres also contribute to the circular
economy because they provide a good starting point
for the recycling of packaging materials. To keep
recycling loops ongoing, new, pure fibre is needed
for recycling. Wood fibre is estimated to circulate,
on average, 3.6 times in a year in Europe, but it
deteriorates with each recycling round. Injecting
fresh fibre into the recycling loop provides much
needed, strong fibres that can be used to produce
quality recycled paper and paperboard products.
Many studies show that fresh fibre
paperboard yields a lower carbon footprint than
recycled board. A primary reason being that fresh
fibre paperboards are usually produced using
renewable energy. The carbon footprint of packaging made from
Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboard can be more than 50% smaller
than that of packaging of an equivalent stiffness made from recycled
fibre board.
Recyclability/compostability
Paper/paperboard is also very easy to recycle after product
use. Fibre-based packaging materials have the highest recycling
rates of all packaging materials. The recycling rate of paper and
paperboard packaging is 83% in the European Union (EU28 –2018)
and 81% in the US (EPA) which keeps the wood fibres in circulation
as long as possible. Biodegradability of the paper/paperboard is also
very beneficial – especially in the case of contamination (by food,
drink, chemicals, etc.), which rules out recyclability.
Sustainable products
An historical problem with food service board is that plastic
must be used as a barrier to insulate a cup, tray, or plate. For many
food packaging end-uses where barrier properties are required,
there are now fibre-based materials with barriers available to replace
plastics. The new recyclable and compostable barrier boards that
provide a barrier against grease and moisture are safe and can be
recycled in standard paper/paperboard waste streams. Dispersion
barrier coated paperboard, such as those produced at Metsä Board,
helps reduce the use of plastics in end uses such as food service,
fresh food, dry food, and frozen food.
Figure 4: New recyclable and compostable barrier boards are
perfect for food packaging and can help replace plastics.

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