Up-scaling hot-pressing systems to manufacture strong and water-resistant products from biobased raw materials

Purpose and goal:

In the project, the hot-pressing technology has been scaled up by go from sheet feeding to a continuous path from a paper roll and by implementing an online humidification system. Valuable fundamental knowledge has been deepened in the area of fiber properties and barriers utilizing hot pressing. The hot-pressing technique has clearly been shown to provide wet stability and strength for both 2D and 3D shaped materials.

Together with environmentally friendly barriers, these can replace many of today´s plastic-based products. Expected results and effects:

The result is a clear up-scaling of the hot pressing technique. The effect of this is increased productivity by introducing continuous paper web, online humidification and surface treatment with spray systems and by reducing adhesion problems. Fundamental studies on fiber morphology and barriers contribute to the development of resource-efficient and environmentally friendly materials.

The results from the wet and dry 3D forming processes provided important knowledge, such as how fiber morphology, temperature, pressing time and moisture content affect a 3D shaped material. Approach and implementation:

The division of the project into 2D and 3D shaping processes was natural. Within 2D forming there were several sub-areas: scale-up, operability, fundamental fiber knowledge, environmentally friendly barriers. The 3D molding consisted of 2 parts: wet-molding and dry-molding.

The participation of industrial partners was important in all areas. The summary analysis is that the work has gone beyond expectations, that objective have been achieved and that we see new opportunities for continued collaborations and new projects.