Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVVNews
Topics of the current newsletter 2/2019
New developments in the sterilization and disinfection of surfaces
The Fraunhofer IVV invites you to attend a seminar on "Recent Advances in Surface Sterilization and Disinfection" on 28/29 November 2019 to learn about new developments in the sterilization of packaging materials, machine parts, and foods. The six seminar sessions will be particularly relevant for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The program will include presentations on various physical methods for the sterilization or disinfection of surfaces such as gas plasma, UVC radiation, and electron beam technology. There will also be presentations on antimicrobial packaging systems, guidelines for the validation of industrial cleaning and sterilization processes, and process monitoring using advanced sensor technologies.
So please make use of this opportunity to have dialog with experts from industry and R&D organizations. The seminar will be held at the Fraunhofer IVV in Freising. The presentations will be given in English.
Contact:
Dr.-Ing. Peter Muranyi
Phone: +49 8161 491-629
Breakthrough in packaging recycling using the CreaSolv® process
The CreaSolv® process developed by the Fraunhofer IVV has made a decisive contribution to the recycling of plastic packaging materials. Up until now so-called multilayer packaging and sachets have not been recyclable. The construction and commissioning of a recycling plant by Unilever now marks a further breakthrough. This plant has been operating since the end of 2018 in Indonesia using the CreaSolv® process and is able to process post-consumer packaging waste on a tonnage scale. The high-quality recyclates are subsequently used for packaging materials for non-food items such as detergents. The CreaSolv® process enables the recycling of plastic packaging materials in a closed loop under economically viable conditions.
Contact:
Dr. Andreas Mäurer
Phone: +49 8161 491-330
Evaluation of the efficiency of odor decontamination of HDPE recyclates
HDPE absorbs substances during its use as a packaging material. For example, it absorbs odorants from detergents. HDPE recyclates contain pleasant flower-like odorants such as β-ionone, but also unpleasant odors such as p-cresol that smells like a horse's stable. HDPE recyclate users do, however, demand sensory neutral HDPE granulate. Using a combination of analytical and human-sensory methods we evaluate decontamination processes for their odor-removing efficiency. By treating the regranulates in a decontamination reactor, whereby heating the HDPE recyclate causes volatile odorants to diffuse into the ambient air, the concentration of odorants is considerably reduced and the quality and value of the HDPE recyclates are increased. The identification and quantification of odorants before and after the decontamination allows optimization of the process. In addition, the odor intensity of the regranulate as a function of the residence time in the reactor was evaluated by a panel in order to get insight into the quality of the recyclate from the perspective of the end customers. Our analyses make an important contribution to improving the quality of polymer recyclates and to realizing the legal targets for mechanical recycling laid down in the new German Packaging Act.
To learn more, visit us at the FachPack fair in Nuremberg from 24-26 September 2019 in Hall 7, Stand 7-440!
Contact:
Miriam Strangl
Phone: +49 9131 8524-132
Barrier papers for printed electronics
Digitalization, "the Internet of things", and Industry 4.0 are putting new requirements on smooth paper surfaces and barrier layers on paper. Smooth surfaces are a requirement for the application of printed electronics to paper. The barrier layers protect the printed electronics from oxygen and water vapor. We are working on these matters as part of the SUPERSMART project being carried out within the "eit RawMaterials" program and in collaboration with industry and R&D organizations. ORMOCERs® developed by the Fraunhofer ISC are being applied to paper in the pilot coating plant at the Fraunhofer IVV. This layer synergistically improves the barrier due to an inorganic coating. An excellent water vapor barrier of 1.8 g / (m² Tag) at 23°C and 85% relative humidity can be achieved. This means that water vapor sensitive printed electronics can be applied to paper. The R&D services of the Fraunhofer IVV in this technical area are available to customers.
Contact:
Dr. Klaus Noller
Phone: +49 8161 491-500
"Pack Peel Scan" - intelligent measuring device
Visit us from 16-23 October 2019 at K 2019, the international fair for the plastics and rubber industry in Düsseldorf. There we will be presenting our new "Pack Peel Scan" device for effective measurement of the force required to open easy-opening packaging. The opening forces for peelable, thermofomed packaging are measured and tested in accordance with the relevant standards. "Pack Peel Scan" possesses artificial intelligence which provides prognoses and prevents process errors via machine learning. For example, relevant information can be passed to the process control system or to the machine operator for performing specific actions. Flexible adaptation of the packaging contour and packaging height enable any desired formed packaging to be used and effectively and reliably measured and tested.
We can be found in Hall 7 at Stand 70SC01. You are welcome to arrange an appointment with us before this event.
Contact:
Roland Kiese
Phone: +49 351 43614-52
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