Use of chitosan in the composition of paper packaging

Abstract

Demand of renewable natural and biodegradable polymers, which can improve the properties of paper and facilitate recycling, is connected with chitosan. Use of chitosan in production of paper is possible because of its structural similarity with pulp and thanks to the fact that it is biodegradable, non toxic and ecological. Experimental results from different kind of paper with 0, 2%, 1% and 2% chitosan in composition are presented in this work. Samples of paper from mixture of bleached softwood sulphate pulp (100%, 80% and 50%) and bleached hardwood sulphate pulp (50%, 80% and 100%) were prepared. The mechanical and optical properties of these paper sheets are tested.