AkzoNobel creates paper Cup totally compostable and recyclable

11.08.2014 thanks to the new technology of AkzoNobel coatings-the EvCote ™ Water Barrier 3000-a pioneering product on the market made from vegetable oils and recycled PET bottles, establishments can now serve their cold drinks in a cup more sustainable. These glasses do not require any change in the recycling cycle or special treatment and are fully compostable and recyclable.
"This is an innovation that could generate a significant impact with regard to economic and environmental benefits for the entire value chain. The new technology of coatings will help owners of restaurants and producers of glasses to reduce their waste, "explained Conrad Keijzer ', Member of the Executive Committee of AkzoNobel responsible for Performance Coatings.
"There is already a strong interest in our products and we believe that he will unleash a great transformation in the production of paper cups, as the change about 40 years of wax-based products for the currently used polyethylene" added AB Ghosh, General Director of Industrial Coatings.
About 200 billion paper cups are used throughout the world annually, but nowadays none can be recycled without generating high costs or without diminishing quality of paper fiber. This makes this new technology is exceptional, since, when the paper coated with EvCote ™ is recycled paper fibre quality remains intact-so the paper can be reused in the production of other products of the same material. In some cases, on behalf of the fibres being reinforced with coating, the paper produced from waste can even become stronger than the original, which did not receive the product.
An additional advantage is that it allows paper mills reusem 100% of paper waste generated in the production process, which will generate significant cost savings. Currently, all this waste being sent to landfills. The amount of paper waste generated in the production process is so large that it would involve the entire Empire State Building 6300 times.
"The paper represents the largest cost for manufacturers of glasses, in this way, recycling of industrial surplus financial and environmental benefit," added Gil Sherman, Manager of market development of coatings for role of AkzoNobel. "With the growth of the bio-PET, the EvCote ™ becomes an option to turn it off completely from the oil supply chain, since now we can offer our clients a substitute for petroleum-based PE films".
Made with up to 95% of sustainable or renewable material, the EvCote ™ coatings protect paper surfaces against water, grease and moisture. They can be used in numerous products, including corrugated boxes, folding and packaging for transport of drinks and food packaging.
The development of innovations such as EvCote ™ finishes are part of the sustainability approach Planet Possible of AkzoNobel. They will contribute to the initiative of the company known as Human Cities (Human Towns), which aims to create cleaner and more livable cities.