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There is a need for sustainable and eco-friendly materials to drive innovation in the ever-evolving paper industry in producing high-quality paper. Conventional approaches use woody fibers for their better paper-forming properties and strength. However, with an increase in population and a ban on single-use plastics, a need exists to produce more paper at economical prices. This research aims to minimize the use of woody fibers in papermaking by blending miscanthus (non-woody) pulp in eucalyptus (woody) pulp, thereby achieving similar paper properties as virgin pulp. Cationic starch and sodium alginate were electrostatically deposited on fibers to enhance the strength of the paper produced. The addition of cationic starch and sodium alginate increased the water retention value while the freeness in terms of °SR remained constant. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of cationic starch and alginate which reduced the carboxyl peaks on bonding with hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibers. The developed paper sheets made from pulp blend after adding cationic starch and alginate were more remarkable than those made from virgin eucalyptus pulp in terms of mechanical properties, justifying their application in the packaging sector. Moreover, the handsheets were completely recyclable without any micro-stickies or flocs. The developed paper can be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for reducing the utilization of wood fibers in papermaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging for liquid products is mainly made from petroleum-based polymers, either rigid or flexible. The multilayer packaging provides small and handy packs available for the common masses. However, an alternative bio-sourced material for liquid products is urgently needed due to the limitation of fossil fuel, restrictions from environmental regulations, and its non-biodegradable nature. Paper is used as a packaging material that mainly provides structural strength to the package with some barrier properties if required after suitable surface treatment. Here we review the use of lignocellulosic pulp to produce paper-based sachets and paper bottles for liquid product packaging, emphasizing the detailed manufacturing process. The barrier properties of various conventional polymers and barriers required by a specific liquid product package are also discussed and detailed, as a barrier is required to increase further or maintain the product's shelf-life. Current research and new product development at an industrial scale and their materials are critically discussed. Suitable coating materials on paper sheets and paper bottles are detailed, as paper alone cannot be used for liquid products due to wettability in the hydrophilic region and poor barrier properties. The potential of biopolymers like polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and their nanocomposites are further explored to ensure the package's sustainability compared to conventional polymers. Moreover, the emerging biomaterial such as cellulose fatty ester, cellulose nanopaper, waterborne acrylic emulsion, and natural wax-based dispersion for coating on paper packaging is detailed. Furthermore, the barrier, mechanical properties, and finally, recyclability are a concept taken into account from the design phase onwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet-strength additives are vital in maintaining the structural integrity of paper and paper-based products in wet conditions. Most wet-strength additives are synthetically produced and pose environmental and human health risks. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing natural and environment-friendly wet-strength additives for paper. However, the unavoidable replacement of these harmful wet-strength additives with greener materials to achieve similar wet-strength without compromising product performance, with the added option of sustainability, is challenging. This review discusses up-to-date conventional synthetic, natural, and other wet-strength additives used in developing wet-strength in paper-based products. A detailed description of the additive's reaction mechanisms and working principles for achieving the required wet-strength is also analyzed. Moreover, a detailed comparative literature review of the physio-chemical properties of these wet-strength additives is also discussed. Finally, the paper also discusses the challenges associated with bio-based additives in improving the wet-strength of paper-based products, comparing the well-established synthetic wet-strength additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an environmentally friendly and more efficient pulping process is necessary to cope with the pollution issues created by the current pulp and paper mills. Although Organosolv pulping is considered environmentally friendly compared to kraft or soda pulping, the higher cost hindered the commercialization of the Organosolv process to pulp different raw materials. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the papermaking potential of three raw materials i.e., spruce, beech, and miscanthus, using Acetosolv pulping. This research also includes the determination of properties of the fibers influenced by refining and application potential that could arise for the fibers in terms of strength, barrier, and optical properties. Paper sheets showed excellent air barriers, which justifies their applications in the packaging sector. It was concluded that if the tensile index is the selection criteria, then even miscanthus (a nonwood material) Acetosolv pulp can replace the spruce softwood kraft pulp. Also, transparency and contact angle were found to be maximum for spruce which can facilitate its application as a substrate in green electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone paper is a relatively sustainable alternative to traditional fibre-based paper. Stone paper is made using resin such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and a mineral such calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Plasticizers, bulking agents, coupling reagents, dispersing agents, and inorganic fillers are added in the stone paper formulation for imparting different properties. However, the HDPE, used in stone paper formulation, is not biodegradable and can be replaced with biodegradable polymers to make stone paper more environment friendly. The biodegradable stone paper can be easily made using relatively cheaper blown film process. The stone paper can also be made from CaCO3 waste of traditional paper industry and recycled polymer waste. This review paper provides overview about the stone paper, the biodegradable polymeric materials which can be used instead of HDPE, information about the converting processes for stone paper; it's applications and comparison to the traditional paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chitosan film incorporating tulsi essential oil (TEO) with good antioxidant properties was solvent casted as an antioxidant packaging film. The antioxidant films were studied for the morphological, chemical, thermal, water barrier, mechanical, and antioxidant behaviors. The presence of TEO was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Thermal degradation study was also conducted to know the thermal stability of these films. TEO-containing films showed a decrement in moisture content, water absorption, water solubility, and water vapor transfer rate (WVTR). An increase in tensile and elongation was noted as TEO content increased, with the highest mechanical properties in T2 film (chitosan-to-oil ratio of 4:1), depicting better networking of chitosan chains and TEO components and the effect of plasticization of TEO on the chitosan. The films containing TEO showed better antioxidant activity than neat chitosan film, as confirmed by DPPH (2,2,-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and H2O2-scavenging assays. Finally, fried potato fingers were packed in the active chitosan packaging and compared with the neat chitosan. The T2 film showed better antioxidant activity against the oxidation of oil in fried potato fingers which was confirmed by the FTIR of the packed product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural waste residues (agro-waste) are the source of carbohydrates that generally go in vain or remain unused despite their interesting morphological, chemical, and mechanical properties. With rapid urbanization, there is a need to valorize this waste due to limited non-renewable resources. Utilizing agro-waste also prevents the problems like burning and inefficient disposal that otherwise lead to immense pollution worldwide. In addition, conversion of biomass to value-added products like earthen cups, weaving baskets, and bricks is equally beneficial for the rural population as it provides secondary income, creates jobs, and improves rural people's lifestyles. This review paper will discuss an overview of different applications utilizing agro-waste residues. In particular, agro-wastes used as construction material, bio-fertilizers, pulp and paper products, packaging products, tableware, heating applications, biocomposites, nano-cellulosic materials, soil stabilizers, bioplastics, fire-retardant additive, dye removal, and biofuels will be summarized. Finally, several commercially available agro-waste products will also be discussed, emphasizing the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in population compels the textile industry to expand production to fulfill the apparel requirement, resulting in huge textile waste. These wastes are managed either by landfilling or incineration processes, which negatively contribute to the environment. Converting waste into value-added products is essential to reducing environmental pollution and thereby achieving a circular economy through proper waste management practices. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of different categories and forms of textile waste, their source of generation, the reusing capability of the textile industry, other valorization potentials in different fields, and various challenges associated with their valorization practices. This review presents textile wastes as the raw material source for preparing different value-added products such as in manufacturing textiles, packaging materials, plastics, composites, construction applications, energy generation, chemical additives, composting, and several other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]