Silicone papers used for recycling are ordinary papers that are coated with silicone on either side. Covering the surface of the paper with silicone adds certain properties to the paper, including increasing the glossiness and smoothness of the paper’s surface. If the paper surface is covered with these materials, the paper will have less absorption in contact with liquids and will perform better in high humidity environments. It is worth mentioning that adding more silicone layers will not add more features and quality. Thus, thinner silicone coated papers are better choice compare to thicker ones. Considering the wide use of silicone papers, the formulation, thickness, baking temperature, and number of silicone layers on paper can vary depending on the specific application.
Followings are some benefits of silicone paper recycling new technology:
• The whole production process is performed at ambient temperature and air pressure.
• The production process does not require complex procedures and is very simple.
• There is no need to sort the silicone paper waste as the first step in this process.
• All types of silicone sheets are recyclable in this production process.
• The whole process is operating through one simple line and there is no need to transfer materials or papers from one machine to another manually.
• The water used in the recycling process is treated and reused within the system, so there is no need for a separate water treatment system.
Recycled paper produces fewer polluting emissions to air and water. Recycled paper is not usually re-bleached and, when it is, oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. This reduces the amount of dioxins that are released into the environment as a by-product of the chlorine bleaching processes.
• High-grade papers can be recycled several times, providing environmental savings every time.
• Producing recycled paper actually generates between 20% and 50% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than paper produced from virgin fibers.
• Because used paper is usually collected fairly near to recycling
plants, manufacturing recycled paper reduces transport and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Recycling paper reduces the volume of waste while helping to boost the local economy through the collection and sorting of waste paper.
• Waste paper pulp requires less refining than virgin pulp and may be co-refined with hardwood pulp or combined hardwood/softwood pulps without significant damage
• In some cases, paper recycling has real environmental and economic benefits. Depending on the circumstances, paper recycling may use more resources than it saves. Because wood and recovered paper are excellent fiber sources and because advanced recycling technology allows paper makers to use recycled fiber in new ways, the possibilities for using recycled fiber in today’s paper products are greater than ever. About 38% of the raw material used in US paper mills is recovered paper. In many cases, the quality of recycled paper products is very close to the quality of those made from new fiber.
Recycling of waste paper has several benefits, both for humans and the earth.
• The process of recycling protects the environment. Using
recycled paper to make new paper reduces the number of trees that are cut down,conserving natural resources. Every ton of recycled fiber saves an average of 17 trees plus related pulping energy. In some instances, recycling services are cheaper than
trash-disposal services. Recycling paper saves landfill space and reduces the amount of pollution in the air from incineration. Businesses can promote a positive company and community image by starting and maintaining a paper-recycling program. Parents can promote a clean environment and a healthy lifestyle to their children by teaching them about the benefits of recycling paper.
• By using waste paper to produce new paper, disposal problems are reduced. The savings are at least 30,000 Lit of water, 3000– 4000 kW h of electricity and 95% of air pollution for every ton of paper used for recycling. Also, 3 yd3 of landfill space are saved. And in many cases, recovering paper for recycling can save communities money that they would otherwise have to spend for disposal.
• Compared with virgin paper, producing recycled paper involves between 28% and 70% less energy consumption. Also, less water is used. This is because most of the energy used in paper making is the pulping needed to turn wood into paper.