Development of Kraft Paper Type of Liner Board from Pineapple Leaves to Suitable for Printing of Packaging

Handmade modified Pineapple-Pine pulp paper hand sheets were prepared by combining pine pulp with pineapple pulp in different proportions, such as 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. The physical and mechanical properties, such as tensile index, burst index and brightness of the paper made have been tested under laboratory conditions. It is observed that the best blending percentage is 50:50 having a tensile index of 21.34 ± 0.07 MPa, a burst index of 2.18 ± 0.01 Nm/g, water absorption index 185.13 ± 0.05 g/m2, brightness 66.60 ± 0.04 °Elrepho. This ratio exhibits the most suitable compromise for mechanical strength, absorbency and visual level needed for paper use. For printing suitable coating materials, five formulations were tested by adjusting the AKD: Cationic polymeric blend ratio from about 1:1 to 5:1 and holding silica constant at 2.5 mL. The best formulation according to TIS 170-2550 was found in a ratio of AKD:Cationic polymer blend is 3:1 with standard weight equals 127.31 ± 0.06%, moisture of value 4.40 ± 0.1% and lowest water absorption (Sekkad side = 30.20 ± 0.08 g/m2; gravure side = 36.42 ± 0.21 g/m2). Further, the ring crush strength and edge crush strength were 1.53 ± 0.02 kN/m and 1,417.61 ± 0.53 N/mm and tensile strength was 3.82 ± 0.17 MPa for this new formulation respectively. These properties balance water resistance, printability and mechanical properties together and it is fit for high quality packaging and printing paper. HIGHLIGHTS The best pineapple fiber extraction result was obtained by using 4% sodium hydroxide decoction for 1 h with pulp efficiency of 95.58 ± 0.63% cellulose-rich fibers in cosmetic packaging applications. Sample made up of 50:50 pineapple and pine pulp were observed to give optimum tensile strength (21.34 ± 0.07 MPa), burst index (2.18 ± 0.01 Nm/g) water absorption (185.13 ± 0.05 g/m2), brightness (66.6 ± 0.04 °Elrepho). Optimum ratio of AKD to cationic polymer for print quality was 3:1 leading to good GSM with low Moisture and uniform Strength values for Printing and packaging. In the case of rub-off printability, the best ink adhesion was obtained at an AKD: Cationic polymer ratio range between 1:1 and 4:1, particularly below 200 rub cycles with a 5:1 ratio showing rapid degradation in print quality. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT