Paper and Packaging
It has been said that the paper industry is the world’s biggest producer of surfaces. Surfaces need to have a functional design for optimal performance in end-uses. YKI combines deep-going understanding of surface chemistry and surface functionalization with practical knowledge of papermaking, coating and packaging processes.
The research area of Paper and Packaging is of special interest to the pulp and paper industries and their chemical and machine suppliers, the graphic arts industry and their ink and machine suppliers and the converting and packaging industries and their customers.
Activities include
- Wetting, spreading and penetration of fluids on surfaces and in porous media
- Wet-end paper chemistry (flocculation, retention, drainage, deinking)
- Surface modification of fibers, including internal sizing
- Novel and sustainable materials based on nanotechnology, such as superhydrophobic and grease-resistant for improved barrier functionality
- Integration of new functionalities in future packaging
Projects within Paper and Packaging
We work in several publicly and industrially financed projects and centres such as Codirect and iPack with surface chemistry of deinking of paper and integration of new functionalities in future packaging. A recent VINNOVA-TEKES sponsored project called TAINA, "Tailored nanostabilisers for biopolymeric interfaces and biosensors in packaging and food emulsions", focused on novel renewable raw materials for barriers in cooperation with Swedish and Finnish partners and a new VINNOVA funded project "Renewable Functional Barriers" involves sixteen Swedish-based industrial companies and six other research groups.