Paper Coating Symposium (PTS) EU 2023- September 13-14 2023

With MFC it is possible to coat in the paper machine wet-end

Presented by Per Svending

FiberLean Technologies’ microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is produced at industrial scale through mechanical fibrillation of wood pulp. The FiberLean process utilizes robust milling equipment without the need for chemical additives. The process has been developed to enable cost-effective MFC production from a broad variety of pulp types, including those from recycled sources. MFC is increasingly becoming a vital tool in the paper makers toolkit; users of this technology can reduce costs, improve product quality, develop new products and reach their sustainability targets.

At the 2017 PTS Coating Symposium, FiberLean Technologies presented early development work on applying MFC-mineral coatings as a wet-in-wet coating in pilot-scale. The development work has intensified since then, particularly with the aim of overcoming challenges associated with operation at high speed. The work has been successful, and the wet-end coating concept has now been proven in full scale on several paper machines.

Applying MFC-mineral composite as a wet-end coating allows production of a two-layer paper product on a single layer paper machine. With mineral content as high as about 80%, the unique top ply has excellent ability to optically cover a dark base and is still strong and flexible enough to be viable as a replacement for conventional White Top Liner.

Surface application of MFC, without mineral, onto paper and board grades has exciting potential in the specialties/barrier market. When MFC is formed into layers and dried onto the surface, the fibrils bind tightly, resulting in very smooth and low porosity films which exhibit barrier properties towards oil and grease, oxygen, aroma, and mineral oils. The layer also serves as an ideal substrate to combine with subsequent coatings to achieve additional barrier properties.

The presentation will show how MFC wet-end coating can be managed on standard paper machines and what products can be made, highlighting how MFC can be used to cost-effectively make more sustainable paper and fibre-based packaging products.

To View Per’s Presentation: Click Here