PapIR

The PapIR project investigates the impact of infrared (IR) drying on the performance of barrier coating layers on papers. The trend of substituting plastic packaging with paper, cardboard, or carton packaging (PPK) is supported by political measures and increasing consumer preferences for sustainable packaging. However, the low barrier properties of paper against oxygen and water vapor limit its use as primary packaging, leading to the necessity of laminations or coatings. The coating process enables improved recyclability but poses risks to the quality of the coatings, particularly due to the choice of drying method. IR drying offers significant advantages by ensuring homogeneous heating of the coating layer, thereby improving defect density and barrier performance.

The project aims to evaluate the benefits of IR drying for barrier coatings on paper to create a scientifically grounded decision-making basis for industrial application. Various coatings with differing solid contents and types will be selected, and their drying parameters will be evaluated. Subsequently, coating trials will be conducted, and the produced samples will be characterized in terms of their barrier properties and surface structure.

The economic significance of the project is high, as the market for functional and barrier coatings is experiencing strong growth. Legal requirements and financial incentives further promote the demand for coated papers. IR drying provides an efficient and economical solution to reduce manufacturing costs and increase production speed. The goal is to establish a solid decision-making foundation for enterprises to facilitate the transition to sustainable packaging systems.