The global contamination of waterways with microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 mm) is a major challenge. Microplastics destabilize aquatic ecosystems, contaminate groundwater, and accumulate in food – meaning that humans are constantly exposed to microplastics. Sources such as tire abrasion and paints are well known, but the trend toward coated paper packaging also poses a risk for the formation of microplastics. These coatings could enter the environment during fiber recycling – through the water used in the recycling process or the associated wastewater treatment plants, which cannot filter out small particles. In order to develop appropriate countermeasures for the food and packaging industry, research into the environmental distribution of these coatings is a high priority. Standardized analytical methods are needed to detect and monitor microplastics in various forms. This is exactly where the FiberCoat research project came in.
In this project, the Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology (OFI) and the Austrian Institute for Packaging (ÖIV) are developing methods for standardized sampling, sample preparation, microplastic measurement, and data evaluation. The ÖIV is drawing on its extensive expertise in fiber recycling to develop appropriate instructions for laboratory and industrial samples. The OFI brings many years of experience in microplastic analysis on polymer coatings in the fiber packaging sector, including through international research projects such as microplastic@food and MICROPLEXFOOD. Spectroscopic and mass-based methods are used to investigate which coatings enter the water during the recycling process and may be released into the environment.
In addition, case studies are being contributed by participating partners to test the recyclability of selected material solutions, enabling recommendations to be made for holistically sustainable packaging solutions.
Previous recycling compatibility tests, conducted in cooperation with the German institute cyclos-HTP, have investigated washing water contamination. These tests are now being adapted specifically to paper coatings as part of the project. In addition, sample preparation is being standardized depending on the structures to be researched. This will allow recycling and microplastic process water compatibility to be tested in parallel in the future.
Following the adaptation and standardization of methods for recycling compatibility testing and microplastic analysis, the specific processes of fiber processing and industrial coatings will be investigated under real-world conditions. The aim is to identify potential sources of microplastic contamination in paper fiber recycling and their risk to the aquatic environment. Selected coatings from industry partners will be analyzed for their recycling compatibility according to the cyclos-HTP standard, as well as for the presence of microplastics and their removability. Finally, the project will develop guidelines for measuring and classifying recycling-compatible and environmentally safe coatings, thereby supporting the industry in the introduction of sustainable fiber-based packaging.
Funding: FFG Collective Research
Co-financed by the partners
Project consortium:
Lead: ecoplus Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH
Scientific partners:
Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik (OFI)
Österreichisches Institut für Verpackungswesen (ÖIV)
Hufnagl Chemometrics
