Utilization of side streams from paper industry as fillers in polypropylene composites

Sustainable, low-cost composite materials with improved performance typically contain, in addition to plastics, mineral fillers and fibers. Similar composite materials can also be produced by replacing fillers and fibers with side streams from paper mills using paper for recycling as their raw material. These side streams can be of different qualities and thus various end uses exist. The strength and water adsorption properties of such composites provide many opportunities for their application. Further, their environmental benefits are clear, since the use of these side streams reduces the need to landfill them. The study was also supported by chemical analysis of the side streams. This approach can also bring in additional revenue from the same raw material stream, improving overall resource and economic efficiency.