The role of Bayern Innovativ and BayPapier
Bayern Innovativ, in cooperation with the Bavarian Paper Associations, also wants to support the paper and film converting industry in its goals regarding market introduction, quality, safety, availability and reliability. When introducing new technologies, the benefits for the key points should also always be demonstrated. To this end, Bayern Innovativ and the BayPapier industry association are organizing, among other things, a series of regional network meetings with the aim of interdisciplinary networking of sectors and technologies relating to new high-tech products made from the components paper and film. This is also confirmed by Dr. Thorsten Arl, Chief Executive Officer BayPapier [2]: "Paper and the paper industry as a whole have the opportunity to set standards for industrial production in the future." He added that the network meetings are intended to provide a platform for new solutions and networking on the subject of paper. With social change in the area of digitization , sustainability, logistics or even consumer behavior, there is potential for entirely new applications in industries such as construction , the medical technology , the mobility to the agriculture . [3]
Current Developments and Trends
That cross-industry collaboration is urgently needed is evident from current developments. [4] For example, the markets for graphic and printable papers have been declining for some time. Essential to this is the trend towards digitization . It is seen as the trend with the most pervasive impact on the industry's business. Added to this is the corona pandemic. It has further exacerbated this decline and, in effect, led to a temporary market collapse.
In contrast, the markets for packaging and sanitary paper are currently growing - also due to the pandemic. But here, too, new challenges must be faced. In addition to issues such as sustainability and reducing energy consumption , the aim is to increase the company's own added value. The way to achieve this is to make more from less! The steps to this end lead through continuous progress in the efficient use of resources via high recycling rates to the development of new material properties.
New functions and technologies with paper
Whether lower weight, better conductivity, heavier flammability or higher formability - if we succeed in expanding the property profile of components and systems with new innovative papers and films, the door is open to new growth markets.
By using new technologies, paper and film can be equipped with innovative properties in such a way that, for example, conductivity or barrier function can be optimized and corresponding novel application possibilities can be realized. Thus, new functionalities also make it possible to open up new applications. The spectrum ranges from lightweight construction , e.g. lightweight packaging for logistics, the replacement of films by papers with similar properties, conductive papers to integrated sensors as well as barrier effects, e.g. by means of new and sustainable film and paper structures.
Important here is the cross-linking of the paper and film processing industry to sectors such as the construction industry, medical technology as well as electronics, the sports and textile industry to biotechnology . Thus, network work can become an accelerator of innovation. [5]
Lightweight materials are heavy
Transport planes made of components and systems with new innovative papers and films, or houses with rods and sheets made of paper - the low weight of these materials opens up entirely new technologies. These include lightweight materials or construction methods, as well as shaping technologies. A fine example is the freeforms made from lightweight frame constructions by Georg Ackermann GmbH of Wiesenbronn, Germany. The creative company supplies elements for exhibition stand construction, store fitting, interior fittings, dry construction consisting of paper and wood materials. In aircraft construction, too, the use of paper as a lightweight material is increasingly becoming the focus of development work. The aim is to save weight and thus energy and CO2.
Powerful through electrical conductivity
In the paper industry, people are looking for inexpensive ways to implement applications of flexible electronics. The conductive papers are suitable, for example, in intelligent building technology or security technology.
One possible way to increase the electrical capability of paper is to coat it with ionic gels. [6] Scientists have coated renewable and biodegradable paper with a soft ionic gel using a conventional printing process. With a manufacturing price of about 1.20 euros per square meter, industrial mass production is economically feasible. According to the researchers, the conductive paper could become the basic component of flexible electronics, such as roll-up displays. Experiments are also being conducted with the use of carbon fiber papers. Possible applications range from use as surface heating to lightweight caravan construction, to shielding electromagnetic radiation.
Paper as a digital and electronic carrier of information
What role do papers and films play as information carriers in a networked world? This was discussed by 150 industry experts at the 2nd congress "Innovation+: Paper, Textile & Film" , conceived and organized by Bayern Innovativ GmbH in close cooperation with BayPapier. [7] In particular, the integration of new functionalities is seen as the key to developing novel products for future markets. Because one thing is clear: Surfaces are becoming intelligent. They acquire new properties by integrating functional materials into their coating. [8] The spectrum ranges from electrically conductive coatings, electrical resistance heaters, printed large-area sensor technology to technologies for real interaction between man and machine by means of printed sensor technology.
Digital paper is not new, even if it has not yet been able to establish itself on the market across the board. Yet its realization is simple and has one major advantage: direct interaction with the user. For example, an interactive paper [9] that reacts to touch was presented at Mid Sweden University as early as 2007. Convincing arguments for the use of the paper are on the one hand the cheap production and the recyclability of the material. In addition, the technology to print circuits on various substrates has already been developed.
The potential applications of printed electronics are vast and are particularly in the medical and recreational fields, e.g. smart watches , wristbands, and even mobile monitoring systems for blood oxygen saturation or atherosclerotic vascular disease. [10] One Bavarian company specializing in printed electronics, for example, is Wolfgang Mildner's MSWtech. He has recognized the potential of electronics for paper, textile and film products and appreciates the advantages, such as the light weight, thin material and low manufacturing costs. [11]
Paper as an ecological helper in agriculture
In agriculture , the use of paper as a decomposable substrate is being discussed. Here, one focus of research is on how paper can be modified and functionalized to be used as biodegradable material . [12] Whether for light reflection in orchards, as packaging material for beneficial insect application, or as mulch paper, paper has been used rather sparingly in the agricultural sector to date. In particular, the use of biodegradable mulch film [13] has gained acceptance. The reasons are obvious: mulch film is produced on the basis of renewable raw materials. It is therefore already very environmentally friendly during production.
In the paper and pulp industry, enzymes are used as biocatalysts to better mechanically defiber wood . In addition, they are used in both the bleaching and recycling stages, helping to reduce energy and resource consumption.
Environmentally friendly thermal insulation and insulation
The manufacturing industry is increasingly turning to environmentally friendly filling and insulation materials made from cardboard and fibers. Natural materials perform similarly to mineral or synthetic materials, but have some key advantages: they are safe for health during installation and easier to handle. For good reason, paper-based products are increasingly used in construction, mobility and energy to be used.
Heating with paper
In the field of heating, the Braun CNT company, based in the Swabian town of Großengstingen, worked with Fraunhofer IPA Stuttgart to develop a paper [14] that relies on graphene as the two-dimensional manifestation of carbon. The honeycomb-like structure is strong yet flexible and converts electricity into infrared heat very efficiently. In combination with paper as a substrate, this has resulted in a unique technical paper. It can be used in many ways, for example as a layer in thin wooden panels. Here it radiates a constant 50 °C. The nanofine carbon layers need little tension to generate much heat.
Insulating with waste paper
Paper-based products [15] are also a good choice for insulating buildings. In loose cellulose insulation, waste paper is shredded and treated with boron salts or ammonium phosphate for fire protection. The latter ensures that the material remains compostable. In addition, it is also possible to press the cellulose flakes into boards using steam. Cellulose is an environmentally friendly produced insulating material with good insulating and heat protection properties.
Lightweight material - flame retardant
If papers and cardboard are used in the construction sector, one thing in particular is important in addition to the light weight, sufficient insulating properties or even conductivity: the flame retardancy of the materials . In order to be installed, they must meet building material class B1 according to DIN 4102. This also applies to use at temporary events and in trade fair construction. Various technologies are used to implement flame-retardant materials. One possibility is subsequent impregnation.
Paper takes off
Paper-based composites in particular are also used as structural components in aircraft [16] due to their properties. Here, people like to use sandwich elements [17] for the interior due to their high weight reduction, reduced manufacturing costs, and easy handling and storage. They are among the most important composite structures in lightweight construction. When carbon fiber layers are used in sandwich elements, mainly paper-based honeycomb structures are used as connecting elements. Due to the low flammability of the material used and the very low density, sandwich elements are often used for parts in aircraft cabins as well as for external covers in aviation.
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