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Efficient approach to high barrier packaging using microfibrillar cellulose and shellac

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Abstract

This paper presents an investigation on the enhancement of the barrier properties of paperboard and paper. Microfibrillar cellulose (MFC) and shellac were deposited on the fibre based substrates using a bar coater or a spray coating technique. The air, oxygen and water vapour permeability properties were measured to quantify the barrier effect of the applied coatings. In addition, the mechanical properties were determined and image analysis of the structure was performed to examine the coating adhesion. The air permeance of the paperboard and papers was substantially decreased with a multilayer coating of MFC and shellac. Furthermore, for the MFC and shellac coated papers, the oxygen transmission rate decreased several logarithmic units and the water vapour transmission rate reached values considered as high barrier in food packaging (6.5 g/m2 24 h). The analysis of mechanical and morphological properties indicated good adhesion between the coating and the base substrate.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Södra Cell, Dynea, Korsnäs Frövi, Peterson Linerboard, Elopak and the Research Council of Norway for funding. Furthermore, the authors wish to thank Gifu Shellac Co. Ltd. for the shellac and Nordic Paper Säffle for the base papers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paper and Fibre Research Institute, PFI, Høgskoleringen 6B, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Eva-Lena Hult & Marianne Lenes

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, NTNU, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Marco Iotti

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  1. Eva-Lena Hult
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  2. Marco Iotti
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  3. Marianne Lenes
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Correspondence to Marianne Lenes.

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Hult, EL., Iotti, M. & Lenes, M. Efficient approach to high barrier packaging using microfibrillar cellulose and shellac. Cellulose 17, 575–586 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-010-9408-8

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