Poly‐Paper: Cellulosic‐Filled Eco‐composite Material with Innovative Properties for Packaging

Currently used materials for packaging present unresolved issues connected to environmental sustainability. A truly sustainable packaging must have a clear collection and recycling channel, and, at the same time, it should not pollute the environemt in case of wrong disposal. This chapter presents an innovative ecocomposite material appropriate for packaging applications. The new composite is called “Poly‐paper” because it brings together two familes of materials that play a key role in today's packaging: Polymers and paper. Poly‐paper is based on a biodegradable eco‐compatible polymer reinforced with cellulose fibers. It is a biodegradable and recyclable material that can be processed as a conventional thermoplastic polymer but can be also recycled into the paper and cardboard recycle chain. In the packaging industry, poly‐paper can replace various plastic components in a responsible way and it can be easily integrated and recycled with paper and cardboard packaging.