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Pyrolysis volatiles and the environmental impact of printing paper, newspaper, and silk were investigated to identify suitable materials for heat-induced eco-printing (HIEP) using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Furthermore, the printing effects of simulated HIEP and the material microstructures were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the toxicity of pyrolysis volatiles is highest for newspaper, followed by silk and then printing paper, whereas environmental friendliness follows the opposite trend. A high concentration of lignin, the basic structural element of which is phenyl propane, and the presence of halogens in the newspaper led to the generation of more toxic substances during the pyrolysis process. The benzene compounds and heterocyclic compounds in silk also produced high levels of toxic substances. Based on these findings and the higher color permeability of newspaper, printing paper was the most suitable material for HIEP and newspaper was the least suitable. Additionally, silk may still be used in HIEP in small amounts for the production of art, name cards, and clothing tags. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biomaterials and new processes (3D printing and flexible hybrid electronics) offer opportunities to break free from a 2D paper world by allowing for the development of smart multi-dimensional structures. While there has been recent progress reported in each of these areas of technology, to date, the merger of these technologies has been very limited. We believe that their merger offers boundless opportunities and an opportunity for the paper industry to innovate a low cost, sustainable housing solution capable of promoting the well-being of its occupants while minimizing the environmental impact of its daily use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cellulose-based solutions can improve environmental performance of food packaging. • Food products require specific barrier functions from cellulose-based packaging. • Eco-design enables quantifying environmental performance and identifying trade-offs. • Fulfilling the barrier requirements for food product packaging is crucial. This short communication describes the climate change impacts of using cellulose, and more precisely cellulosic fiber-based materials, in food packaging, representing current and emerging industrial state of the art technology, without specific reference to current scientific advances. First, the different types of cellulosic fiber-based packaging materials, which can be used to replace fossil-based packaging materials, are presented for flexible and rigid applications. The focus is on technological solutions with packaging properties that enable the protection of commonly sold food products. The manufacturing processes associated with these cellulosic fiber-based materials is described and the environmental impact assessment of 4 selected case studies presented: stand-up pouches, flexible flow wraps, frozen or chilled food trays, and molded pulp lids. A simplified eco-design Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was then performed to compare each solution with its fossil-based counterpart. Differences and similarities between the various cellulosic solutions have been identified. Furthermore, the assessment confirms that cellulosic fiber-based materials have reduced environmental impacts as compared to fossil-based counterparts, if a similar packaging weight is obtained. Indeed, all impacts of plastics are between 3 and 5 kg CO 2 eq/kg, while all impacts of cellulosic fiber-based materials are below 1.5 kg CO 2 eq/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]