Ethan Clarke
Plastic-coated paper, also known as coated paper, enamel paper, gloss paper, or thin paper, is paper that has been coated with a thin layer of plastic to enhance qualities such as water resistance, tear strength, and heat sealability. This process is often used in the food and drink packaging industry, as well as for bookbinding and decorative boxes. While plastic coatings can protect paper products, they can also make recycling more difficult. In recent years, novel techniques have been developed to coat paper with silica resin to provide durability and water resistance without the use of plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Coated paper, coated cover stock, C1S (coated, 1 side), enamel paper, gloss paper, thin paper |
| Use Cases | Food and drink packaging, bookbinding, printing magazines, paper cups, photographic paper |
| Function | Enhances water resistance, tear strength, abrasion resistance, heat sealability, scuff resistance, gloss, smoothness, reduced ink absorbency |
| Composition | Mixture of materials or a polymer, polyethylene, polyolefin extrusion, silicone, wax, silica-resin, alkoxysilane, calcium carbonate, clay, biopolymer coatings, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), mylar, polyester |
| Application Methods | Lamination (heat and adhesives), adhesive encapsulation, dipping paper in low-viscosity liquid, vacuum filtration |
| Environmental Impact | Makes paper recycling more difficult, can be incinerated for heat, not suitable for composting, contributes to microplastics waste problem |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic-coated paper is hard to recycle
Some plastic-coated papers are incinerated or landfilled instead of being recycled. They are generally not suitable for composting, although they may sometimes end up in compost bins. The non-biodegradable plastic components contribute to the global microplastics waste problem.
The type of plastic coating and the recycling infrastructure available play a significant role in the recyclability of plastic-coated paper. For example, coated paper products like milk cartons and food containers are often categorized as "non-recyclables" by local recycling programs. On the other hand, there are mail-in recycling programs that specifically accept these cartons for recycling.
The presence of plastic coatings or laminations can hinder the recyclability of paper products. For instance, hardcovers with plastic coatings must have their pages removed and the coated cover discarded before recycling. Similarly, envelopes with plastic windows can be recycled, but it is preferable to remove the plastic components beforehand.
To enhance certain properties of paper, plastic coatings are applied. These coatings improve water resistance, tear strength, abrasion resistance, and heat sealability. Common plastic coatings include polyethylene, polyolefin extrusion, silicone, and wax. Plastic-coated paper is prevalent in products like paper cups and photographic paper.
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Plastic enhances paper's water resistance
Plastic-coated paper is often used in the food and drink packaging industry, as well as for products like paper cups and photographic paper. The coating enhances the paper's properties, such as water resistance, tear strength, and abrasion resistance.
There are several methods to coat paper with plastic. One common method is lamination, where paper is completely sealed between sheets of plastic with heat and low-grade adhesives. This process is irreversible and can damage the enclosed item. Another method is encapsulation, which is entirely reversible and does not use adhesives. Documents are enclosed between two clear sheets of uncoated polyester, which are sealed using various methods such as cloth stitching, double-sided tape, or welding.
An innovative coating technique involves dipping paper into a low-viscosity liquid composed mainly of an alkoxysilane and then drying it under ambient conditions. This results in a porous silica-resin layer that provides excellent durability, including water resistance, without compromising the paper's original texture and flexibility. This technique is particularly useful for paper products like straws, where the silica-coated paper prevents liquid from penetrating through the paper.
The printing industry also makes use of coated papers, often referred to as "C1S" (Coated, 1 Side). These papers are coated with a mixture of materials or a polymer to enhance qualities such as weight, surface gloss, smoothness, and reduced ink absorbency. The coating formulation may include chemical additives to impart water resistance and wet strength to the paper.
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$16.19 $17.99
Paper is coated in plastic via lamination or adhesives
Paper coated in plastic is commonly referred to as coated paper, coated cover stock, or C1S (coated, one side) in the printing industry. It is created by laminating or adhering plastic to paper. The lamination process involves sealing paper between sheets of plastic using heat and low-grade adhesives, while the adhesive process involves applying a melted plastic layer to the paper.
Lamination is an irreversible process that was once considered a conservation method to strengthen and protect fragile paper. However, it has been found to be destructive due to the high heat and pressure used, as well as the off-gassing of laminate plastics, which causes a chemical reaction with the enclosed materials. The adhesives used in lamination are typically acidic, which can cause ink to bleed and accelerate the deterioration of paper documents.
Adhesive lamination, on the other hand, involves applying a melted plastic layer to the paper. One common method is curtain coating, where paper is dipped into a low-viscosity liquid composed mainly of an alkoxysilane and then dried under ambient conditions, resulting in a porous silica-resin layer that provides durability, water resistance, and flexibility to the paper. Another method is vacuum filtration, where silica particles are used as the coating material and corn starch as the adhesive agent, resulting in a layer of silica particles on the top side of the paper.
Plastic coatings are often used to enhance properties such as water resistance, tear strength, abrasion resistance, and heat sealability. They are commonly found in the food and drink packaging industry, as well as in products like paper cups and photographic paper. However, plastic coatings can make paper recycling more difficult, and most plastic-coated papers are not suitable for composting.
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Coated paper is also known as enamel paper
Plastic is used to enhance paper properties such as water resistance, tear strength, abrasion resistance, and heat sealability. Some papers are laminated by heat or adhesive to a plastic film, while others are coated with a melted plastic layer. The most common method for coating paper with plastic is curtain coating. The most notable applications for plastic-coated paper are single-use disposable food packaging and liquid packaging board cartons.
Coated papers have been traditionally used for printing magazines. They are also one of the highest-quality printing papers and are used for illustrated books, calendars, and brochures. The grammage varies from 100 to 230 g/m2. These paper grades are triple-coated with 20–40 g/m2/side and have a matte or glossy finish. Higher qualities often contain cotton.
Plastic coatings or layers usually make paper recycling more difficult. Some plastic laminations can be separated from the paper during the recycling process, allowing the film to be filtered out. If the coated paper is shredded before recycling, the degree of separation depends on the particular process. Some plastic coatings are water-dispersible to aid recycling and repulping. Special recycling processes are available to help separate plastics.
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Coated paper is used for printing magazines
The coating on the paper also serves a protective function, providing some resistance to moisture and wear, and ensuring the magazine lasts longer. The coating also prevents the paper from fully absorbing the ink, which results in a more precise image replication. This is especially important for magazines with many images, as the presentation will be enhanced by the glossy finish.
Coated paper is also used because it is thin yet strong, allowing for lightweight magazines that are easier to transport and post. The coating adds smoothness and reduces ink absorbency, making the paper highly printable. The type of coating can vary, with some common materials being kaolin, calcium carbonate, and clay.
The choice between coated and uncoated paper depends on the content of the magazine. If the magazine contains a lot of text, uncoated paper might be preferable as it does not have a shiny surface, which makes it easier to read. Uncoated paper is also more ecologically friendly as it can be recycled. However, coated paper is generally preferred for magazines with a lot of images, as it provides a dynamic and shiny look.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic layer on paper is called a coating or lamination. It is usually used to enhance properties such as water resistance, tear strength, and heat sealability.
Plastic coatings are commonly made from polyethylene or polyolefin extrusion, silicone, and wax.
Plastic is used to coat paper to enhance certain qualities such as weight, surface gloss, smoothness, and reduced ink absorbency. It is also used to protect the paper from water damage and provide scuff resistance.
Plastic coatings usually make paper recycling more difficult. Special recycling processes are available to help separate plastics, and some plastic coatings are water dispersible to aid recycling.
