The paper industry is increasing its investment in research and development to expand eco-friendly businesses. This is to boost related sales as the use of eco-friendly paper containers, which replace plastic, is on the rise.
According to the semi-annual reports of Hansol Paper, Moorim Paper, and Moorim P&P (Moorim) on the 6th, the two companies are conducting R&D for the development of eco-friendly new materials and eco-friendly packaging new products.
Hansol Paper invested 4.2 billion KRW in the first half of this year in ▲development of new eco-friendly thermal paper products ▲development of nanocellulose new material application technology ▲development of new eco-friendly packaging products.
Lotte Wellfood Joy product with Hansol Paper's packaging material 'Protego' applied. (Photo by Hansol Paper)
Hansol Paper is the world’s number one producer of thermal paper for receipts and delivery box labels, with an annual production volume of 320,000 tons. As demand for low-harm thermal paper is increasing in the US and Europe, the company is strengthening its related product lines to expand global sales.
Hansol Paper is particularly focusing on R&D to expand the eco-friendly packaging market. This is because it enables the creation of new revenue through building a sustainable resource circulation system as well as strengthening its portfolio.
To this end, Hansol Paper recently signed a multilateral business agreement with a traditional Korean medicine medical institution and a cosmetics development company. Going forward, Hansol Paper’s eco-friendly paper packaging will be used for herbal medicine ingredients and cosmetic containers. Additionally, Hansol Paper supplies eco-friendly paper packaging used in holiday gift sets such as those for Chuseok.
Moorim also strengthened R&D to expand its eco-friendly business. This year, it is working on ▲development of film additives with biomass content of over 90% ▲enhancement of physical properties and optimization of production technology for biodegradable food packaging. The R&D investment in the first half of the year was 1 billion KRW.
Wine & More eco-friendly pulp package jointly developed by Shinsegae L&B and Murim P&P. (Photo by Shinsegae L&B)
A field that Hansol Paper and Moorim are jointly focusing on is the manufacturing technology of nanocellulose fibers, which are attracting attention as an eco-friendly new material. This material is a polymer substance made by finely splitting cellulose, a component of wood, to one-billionth scale. It is an eco-friendly advanced material that is biodegradable, and the related global market is expected by the industry to grow at an average annual rate of 19% until 2030.
Moorim P&P participated in the ‘Nano Korea 2024’ technology exhibition last July and introduced eco-friendly new materials such as nanocellulose-based automotive interior materials, highly transparent gas barrier films for food packaging, and polyurethane foam with improved heat resistance and insulation. Moorim sees potential applications of nanocellulose in beauty, medical, and sports products as well.
An industry official from the paper sector said, "Developing eco-friendly paper products that surpass the performance of plastic or Styrofoam will be the breakthrough for the paper industry to overcome the decline of the traditional paper industry."
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