What is the material of compostable paper cup?

The public is becoming more concerned each day about using environmentally friendly products away from home. Businesses must begin to use an assortment of compostable paper cup that will not cause harm to the environment. Normal paper cups are harmful to the environment but have water-proof. It is difficult for business to develop a compostable paper cup having the functions as same as normal paper cups.

What is the material of compostable paper cup?

How to make a compostable paper cup?

Can the compostable paper cups reduce waste?

What is the material of compostable paper cup?

Compostable paper cups can be biodegradable, which means that the degradation is caused by the action of microorganisms in nature, such as bacteria, molds and algae. The ideal compostable paper cup is a polymer material that has excellent performance, can be completely decomposed by environmental microorganisms after being discarded, and is finally organized to become a component of the carbon cycle in nature. The compostable paper cup can be divided into two parts, the layer of paperboard and the layer of plastic coating.

The raw material used for making the paperboard of compostable paper cups is virgin woods. The thinner section of the trunks is the part used to make pulp for paper and paperboard production. Usually, deciduous broadleaved trees would be used to make paperboard, like birch and oak. The reason is that they have short fibers. The other material required for making compostable paper cup is corn. The corn is the main material for the plastic coating of the cup.

There are two methods to make the pulp for paperboard of compostable paper cup, the chemical pulp and the mechanical pulp. The method used for producing compostable paper cup is chemical one, which can produce products with higher strength. The other kind of chemical is sizing agents, such as natural resin or synthetic sizes. They are used to increase the strength and also decrease absorbance of the paper.

Traditionally, the paperboard would be coated with polyethylene for containing liquid in high temperature with low water absorption. But compostable paper cup is coated in a new material that is called polylactic acid. It is a biodegradable thermoplastic aliphatic polyester.

How to make a compostable paper cup?

The life cycle of this compostable paper cup can be generally divided into five sections: gathering materials, making paperboards, coating the paperboard, shaping the paperboard, disposing the product.

The first step of making compostable paper cup is to gather raw materials. The raw material used for making the paperboard is virgin woods. The thinner section of the trunks is the part used to make pulp for paper and paperboard production. Deciduous broadleaved trees would be used to make paperboard. The other material required for making compostable paper cup is corn. The corn is the main material for the plastic coating of the cup.

The second section is to produce the paperboard of compostable paper cup. The first step to make the paperboard is to make pulp. There are two methods to make the pulp for paperboard, the chemical pulp and the mechanical pulp. The method used for producing compostable paper cup is chemical one, which can produce products with higher strength. Furthermore, before the pulp is dry, it should be bleached. The next step is to press the pulp. The pulp would be moved from the web and be compressed by two rolls, which is aimed to preliminary smoothen the surface and dehydration. Then the paperboard would be further dehydrated in next several sections and also be glazed the surface.

The next section is to shape the cup. The coated paperboard will be put into a machine. The machine would first print patterns on the paperboard if required. Then the paperboard would be cut into two shapes. One is fan-shaped, which is the cup wall, and the other one is circle, which is the bottom of the cup. Then the curved cup-fan-wall-paper would be sealed with the cup bottom. After that, the machine will knurl the cup bottom and the products to collectors. After this step, the manufacture of the compostable paper cup is finished.

Can the compostable paper cups reduce waste?

Yes! As we know, a compostable paper cup derives from corn starch and paper boards. Both materials are within reach of many manufacturers.

Corn starch is one of the most demanded food products. Its convenience as a food product and in manufacturing propels the high demand. The safety means it can get used in making sauces, sweeteners, gums, baking ingredients, and cups.

Plastic experiences mass demand, and replacing it right away isn’t possible. Upcoming alternatives need to be abundant to cater to the vast market. Most innovations are Inspiring. But they cannot cover the gap that may arise with plastic elimination.

Corn starch availability makes compostable paper cups the right candidate to zero waste. Go anywhere around the world, and you’ll find lush corn starch or sugarcane blossoming on the farms. Corn starch’s compostability removes one of the primary flaws of coffee cups. Most of the plastic waste arises because the material takes over 500 years to degrade. Plastic could stay in the oceans and landfills for years without breaking down.

With compostable paper cups, waste may no more. Be it in your home’s compost or an industrial one, compostable paper cup can decay into ordinary soil. The compostable paper cup only requires regulated temperatures to rot within 90 days.

Learn more something about compostable paper cups can know about the materials of compostable paper cups and how to make compostable paper cups. In the process of compostable paper cup development, it is wise to ANBAO PAPER PRODUCTS CO., LTD. as your business partner. Whether from quality or price, or delivery time, we can help customers to open up a further and larger market by offering high-quality compostable paper cups, as well as other types of paper cups.