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Kemira receives patent for packaging strength and lightweighting solution

Kemira has patented strength and lightweighting chemical technology for fibre-based packaging grades.

Lightweighting of packaging grades is a key focus area for paper and board companies, impacting the overall sustainability, cost-efficiency and quality performance, says the company.

Kemira has invested in R&D and manufacturing capabilities to help customers achieve their lightweighting initiatives with chemistries.

On Mar. 23, Kemira was granted a new patent in the United States, relating to the application of highly structured and effective silica sols together with glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM) strength technologies in recycled fibre–containing board grades.

In addition to this new U.S patent, there are additional patents in the same product family issued in other countries, including Canada.

“A considerable amount of time, effort and resources have gone into developing this technologically leading approach for recycled liner machines,” says Michael Wallace, marketing and applications manager at Kemira.

“The approach is unique: it provides higher quality linerboard and also significantly improves paper machine stability and runnability. Lightweighting can produce huge benefits for paper and board makers in packaging performance, fibre optimization and energy consumption. It is an excellent example of doing more with less.”

Wallace says it takes more than a strength additive to achieve board strength. “You need to understand the full process of proper chemical injection, wet-end charge balance, colloidal retention, on-line whitewater solids measurement, former drainage, press section water release, sheet consolidation and surface starch control to reach the best results.”