Why is the plastic used as a coating on paper cups?
The paper cup has to be waterproof, otherwise, it won't be able to handle what's being poured in. The earliest paper cups were waterproof with a thin layer of clay, but as you can imagine, this made the drink taste pretty disgusting! Waxes were also used for a while, with unsatisfactory results, and then someone invented PE. Polyethylene is an amazing solution because it makes the cup strong and waterproof, and it doesn't have any flavor yet.
Today's disposable paper tableware is basically made of PE-coated cupstock. However, plastic incineration will produce a large number of harmful gases, which will cause greater harm to the environment and organisms. Because it is not easy to decompose, it can cause secondary pollution of groundwater resources.
According to the Biodegradable Materials Research Institute, the packaging industry has become a major source of "white pollution". Therefore, in recent years, the packaging industry has vigorously advocated the 3R1D principles of packaging reduction, Reuse, Recycling and DETERIORATION, and encouraged research on Degradable packaging materials.
The earth and the environment urgently need biodegradable paper to alleviate the growing plastic pollution.
PLA(Polylactic acid) is a new biodegradable, eco-friendly material made from the refined starch of renewable plants (like corn.) The raw starch is converted into glucose first, then to high purity lactic acid, and finally compounded Polylactic acid by a chemical. It is 100% biodegradable, under a compostable environment, it can be resolved into CO2 and water by the microorganism.
So, does PLA work as well as PE?
Compared with the traditional packaging material PE, PLA has high transparency, good processability, and good printing suitability.
With all of the benefits of traditional plastic coated paper, but in a plastic-free product. Food grade cupstock coated with 100% biodegradable material PLA and food grade ink printing could be widely used for cups and bowls. It has advantages when used as packaging material, and can be made into films, foaming materials, and containers, such as flexible packaging bags, plastic bottles, buffer materials, disposable tableware, etc.
Post time: May-09-2022