Potential Use of Oil Palm Fronds for Papermaking and Application as Molded Pulp Trays for Fresh Product under Simulated Cold Chain Logistics

ABSTRACT

Waste paper from newsprint, a key feedstock for molded pulp trays, is globally deficient due to digital shifts. Hence, the alternative fiber source needs to be explored. The potential use of fiber from oil palm fronds for protective packaging under humid conditions was studied. Fibers were isolated from petioles by sulfate pulping with 30.72% yield. The high α-cellulose content (38%) showed valuable for papermaking. Runkle’s ratio (0.63), rigidity coefficient (38.46), and slenderness value (100) suggested that the paper would have excellent mechanical properties. Under cold chain logistics, packaging must withstand high humidity and low temperature (90%RH, 12°C). Addition of 1.4% cationic starch and 0.5% AKD significantly enhanced water absorption resistance from 59 to 23250 sec and improved the burst (6.68%) and tensile index (26.47%). The molded pulp trays fabricated from 70% sized frond fibers and 30% OCC fiber provided 7.71% higher compressive strength than neat OCC tray. All physical properties indicated that the as-prepared trays have potential use for protective material. A simulation with green apple demonstrated that the trays were impractical for use with soft-skinned fruit as the dense and rough surface of the packaging. Further study to evaluate cushioning performance for harder skin fruit is, therefore, necessary.

摘要

新闻纸的废纸是纸浆模塑托盘的主要原料, 由于数字化的转变, 全球范围内的废纸短缺. 因此, 需要探索替代纤维来源. 研究了油棕叶纤维在潮湿环境下用于防护包装的可能性. 用硫酸盐法从叶柄中分离出纤维, 得率为30.72%. 高α-纤维素含量 (38%) 对造纸有一定的应用价值. Runkle比 (0.63), 刚度系数 (38.46) 和长细比 (100) 表明, 该材料具有优良的力学性能. 在冷链物流下, 包装必须能承受高湿度和低温 (90%相对湿度, 12°C) . 添加1.4%的阳离子淀粉和0.5%的AKD可显著提高吸水性, 吸水时间从59秒提高到23250秒, 爆裂率 (6.68%) 和拉伸指数 (26.47%) 提高. 由70%的叶状纤维和30%的OCC纤维制成的纸浆模塑托盘的抗压强度比纯OCC托盘高7.71%. 所有的物理性能表明, 所制备的托盘有潜在的用途作为保护材料. 以青苹果为例进行的模拟表明, 托盘不适用于将软皮水果用作密集粗糙的包装表面. 因此, 有必要进一步研究硬皮水果的缓冲性能.

KEYWORDS:

• Oil palm frond
• molded pulp tray
• high humidity
• cold chain logistics
• protective material

关键词:

• 棕榈叶
• 纸浆模塑托盘
• 高湿度
• 冷链物流
• 防护材料

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Graduate School and the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute for financial support. Thanks are also due to the Department of Packaging and Materials Technology for support throughout this study. Constructive comments made by all the reviewers were also greatly appreciated.