Europe produces 64,4 million tons of plastic every year while 40 % is used for packaging (The European Commission, 2018). 1,5 % to 4 % of global plastics production, which is approximately 12,2 million tons (Sherrington, 2016), pollute the oceans every year (Jambeck, et. al., 2015). According to the European strategy, all petrochemical-based packaging on the EU market should be either reusable or recycled in a profitable manner by 2030 (The European Commission, 2018). Also, manufacturers need to account for the increasing environmental awareness of consumers in order to meet the consumer demands. Using wooden packaging with its sustainable and natural character provides a potential solution to these problems (Aviat, et. al., 2016).
Birch is commercially underutilized in the majority of its distribution compared to other softwood tree species nowadays. In Norway, there is no tradition, industry, or established value chains for utilization of birch. Some birch is used for firewood, pulp wood, and in very small volumes in furniture and cladding (Bunkholt & Eikenes, 1993) as well as plywood (Grosser & Teetz 1998). In 2016, birch constituted less than 2% of commercial roundwood removal in Norway (SSB, 2019).
Some wood species are already used for food packaging, but birch is hardly used. The objective of this study is to investigate new product applications for birch which can replace plastic packaging and single-use items and to evaluate the potential of birch in contact with food. The end of life uses of the products will be composting in the summer and fire-starters for ovens in the winter. Various bio-based adhesives are assessed for their compatibility with birch shavings and the strength and moisture resistance of the composite materials are tested.
Keywords: plastic packaging, birch, adhesive
Authors
Nicola Biedermann
University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, Schadenweilerhof
Greeley Beck
Katrin Zimmer
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