SUPERVISOR: Thomas ROSENAU and Hubert HETTEGGER

PROJECT ASSIGNED TO: Johanna ZIEHER

Whether reading a book, writing on a notepad, or filtering tea or coffee – most of us have probably not spent a day without being confronted with paper and paper products. Considering its high demand, it seems inevitable to not pay closer attention to this indispensable cellulose-based material. The proposed project aims at the improvement of paper properties while withstanding a sustainable and environmentally friendly path. The paper must meet specific quality requirements depending on the intended application field. Mechanical properties such as strength and durability represent decisive criteria for product quality and the purpose of use, hence the focus of this work is on strengthening strategies for specialty papers.

Different paper-strengthening strategies should be developed and investigated, including the development of suitable, stable coatings or printing inks based on degradable natural components. The formulations are supposed to be applied superficially after papermaking. Particular attention should be paid to nanocellulose, which, among other biopolymer derivatives, represents an already well-known reinforcing agent in paper production, owing to the increase of the bonding area of the paper sheets and fiber-to-fiber interaction.

An important aspect is compliance with legal requirements when selecting additives, coating materials etc., and thus the exclusive use of environmentally friendly and safe substances.