Technoeconomic Analysis for Biodegradable and Recyclable Paper Coated with Synthetic Ionic PBAT for Packaging...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Sustainability Studies

Background:

• Conventional paper coatings often rely on non-biodegradable materials like polyethylene, posing environmental challenges.
• Developing sustainable and high-performance alternatives for paper coatings is crucial for reducing environmental impact.
• Ionic polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (CPBAT) has emerged as a promising material for advanced paper coating applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of a novel ionic polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (CPBAT) as a paper coating material.
• To determine the minimum selling prices (MSPs) for CPBAT-coated paper products (CPBAT-K and CPBAT-S).
• To assess the economic viability and market competitiveness of CPBAT-based coated papers compared to existing solutions.

Main Methods:

• Technoeconomic analysis (TEA) including total capital investment and operating cost estimation.
• Sensitivity analysis to identify key factors influencing production costs and selling prices.
• Comparative economic evaluation against commercial polyethylene-coated paper prices.

Main Results:

• The initial estimated minimum selling prices for CPBAT-K and CPBAT-S were $1.327/m² and $1.864/m², respectively.
• Production capacity, raw material costs, and energy efficiency significantly impact CPBAT-K and CPBAT-S pricing.
• Optimized production scenarios could reduce prices to $0.588/m² (CPBAT-K) and $0.914/m² (CPBAT-S), making them competitive.

Conclusions:

• CPBAT demonstrates excellent water and oil resistance, positioning it as a viable paper coating material.
• CPBAT-based coated papers offer a sustainable alternative to polyethylene-coated papers due to biodegradability and recyclability.
• With optimized production, CPBAT-coated papers are economically competitive and environmentally favorable in the market.