PTS and Fraunhofer ISC Develop Bio-Based Wet-Strength Agent for Corrugated Cardboard

According to the project partners, this development opens up the possibility of replacing wet-strength agents—which have thus far been predominantly fossil-based—in corrugated cardboard production with bio-based alternatives in the future. The wet strengths achieved reach up to 85% of the values of conventional reference products.

Wet-strength agents are added to starch-based adhesives to ensure that the bond in corrugated cardboard remains stable even when exposed to moisture. As part of “BioWellKleb,” various bio-based components were investigated, and the developed systems were tested under real-world conditions. The formulations achieved a bio-content of 10%. Recyclability was not compromised by the newly developed wet-strength agents.

However, further development is still needed for industrial application. Among other things, the systems must be further optimized in terms of their molecular structure and the quantities used. The Fraunhofer ISC offers companies technology transfer for further-developed bioORMOCER® wet-strength agents. This is intended to enable companies to produce the required quantities—for example, 50 metric tons per year—themselves.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMLEH) provided funding for “BioWellKleb” through the project management agency Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR). The final report was published under grant numbers 2221HV095A and 2221HV095B.