Extending the use of fibre based substrates using novel surface treatment methods

Two different applications were created using novel pilot scale surface treatment equipment to extent the use of fibre based substrates beyond traditional thinking and paper making. First application was based on replacing traditional pigment in coatings by thermoplastic starch pigment to create smoother surface for printed electronics. Second application was based on oxidizing reaction between enzyme and substrate solution. Smooth surface was created replacing traditional coating pigment by thermoplastic starch pigment in coating colour. The pigment is bio-based pigment which was applied on fibre web using soft bar coating followed by drying. Thermoplastic starch was then plasticied in calendar nip at elevated nip pressure and high surface temperature of calendar rolls. Conductive patters were printed successfully on thermoplastic starch coated paper surface using silver containing conductive ink in lab scale rotogravure press. Enzyme - substrate combination was created using known and commercially available enzymes and substrate solution and applying them on fibre based, commercially available base paper. Enzyme was applied on pilot scale equipment using spray-application followed by careful drying avoiding the inactivation of the applied enzyme. Substrate solution added on the enzyme coated base paper caused an immediate local colour reaction o