Sustainable: Paper fibres instead of petroleum
Paper injection moulding and the development of paper pearls have been advanced by ARBURG together with Model, a paper and cardboard packaging manufacturer. The technology combines the long tradition of paper with the latest injection moulding technology, significantly expanding the range of sustainable and environmentally friendly injection moulded products for a wide range of applications. The fibre content of the paper pearls is over 50 per cent. The main component is primary or secondary (i.e. new or recycled) paper fibres that are combined with biobased and biodegradable plastic to make them injection mouldable. There is no need at all for any petroleum-based plastics. Due to the high fibre content, the end products should have a minimum wall thickness of three millimetres. They can be easily disposed of in a garden compost heap after use because they contain no additives that could interfere with the composting process.