All-Cellulose Composite: Influence of Dissolution Time and Moisture Content of the Starting Material on Wet Strength and Barrier Properties

Packaging is essential for the global transport and storage of goods. However, due to the widespread use of non-biodegradable raw materials, it is a topic of environmental discussions. Paper plays an important role in the packaging sector due to the sustainability of the material, its outstanding flexibility and its high specific strength. But paper also has disadvantages. Paper does not possess wet strength and does not provide barrier properties. These disadvantages have so far been overcome by creating coated paper, paper laminates or through the addition of substances during production. An alternative solution could be All-Cellulose Composites (ACC), which are composites completely made of cellulosic materials.
Within the scope of this research short process times will be tested to determine if it is possible to achieve an increase in wet strength and barrier effect sufficient for packaging application. In addition, it will be investigated whether moist paper can be converted