Starch Alternatives for Paper Packaging
No Starch? No Problem: Starch Alternatives with Added Benefits
Welcome to the first post of the Buckman Blog. We’ve introduced this space to share insights and information based on Buckman’s 77-year history of innovation in the paper industry and to share ways that can help bring your pulp, packaging and tissue operations to the next level.
Our first post is focused on a topic that anyone who works in the paper industry is familiar with: the industrywide starch shortage.
Starch can make products stronger, lighter or give them certain surface properties. But while starch has been an easily accessible and affordable commodity for decades, for anyone looking to procure starch now, the current environment is virtually unrecognizable.
A more complex procurement process
Gone are the days of buying inexpensive starch without giving it a second thought. Not only have starch prices doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled, in some cases there is simply no starch to be had at any price.
This has forced companies worldwide to shift to starch alternatives–an adjustment that has fundamentally altered the procurement process. In the past, those in charge of buying starch focused on finding the best price. Mill managers, superintendents and other mill personnel had little to no involvement in the process.
In this new environment, those same procurement people are required to work in close consultation with mill managers, superintendents and others familiar with the specifics of the equipment and processes in their operation in order to understand what is needed when introducing starch alternatives to maintain process and product performance.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s worth inviting a company like Buckman to be a part of those discussions. Knowing all your options can provide efficiencies and increased performance in ways that you may not be aware.
Built-in ROI and ROE
Starch alternatives have many special properties that starch does not which, when properly applied, can reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and enhance sustainability efforts.
If your operation is moving to starch alternatives, instead of looking at the situation as a compromise, think of it as an opportunity to improve your processes. These alternative products can lead to increased Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Environment (ROE).
For example, unlike starch, these products do not need to be cooked, which can save money on energy, water use and treatment, while also improving the mill’s environmental footprint. Since starch is a food product, over time its usage leads to fungal and bacterial buildup on equipment requiring downtime for cleaning. The alternatives can reduce or even eliminate that problem. Additionally, some solutions employ the use of natural enzymes, reducing the amount of inorganic chemicals needed for your processes.
Removing guesswork is the key to optimization
There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution in this industry. Every operation is different and has a unique set of challenges. For example, in certain cases moving to a starch alternative might require other changes to the wet end of your process. Or perhaps, since you are switching, you’d also like to benefit from improved drainage, increased strength, faster machine speed or reduced use of spray starch.
To remove the guesswork from such complex challenges, your first step should be finding a company with the expertise to execute a thorough audit of your equipment, processes, and chemicals. It should be someone who understands the nuances of the chemistry involved in papermaking processes, the possible solutions that can solve your unique challenges, and the potential efficiencies and synergies that are available when properly implemented.
Buckman’s starch alternatives
Buckman offers our customers comprehensive audits, free of charge, to quickly identify precise solutions to your most pressing challenges. We have also developed several product lines that can boost starch’s performance or replace it completely.
Maximyze® uses enzymatic technology to improve drainage, strength and machine speeds on lines using Kraft or recycled fiber.
Visit the Maximyze® webpage | Watch the video | Read the brochure
Bubond® dry strength chemistry can decrease energy costs, increase machine speed, as well as improve drainage and dry strength.
Read the brochure
Precision® FX are polymer-based production and strength aids. One example is a liquid ply-bond agent that can help you reduce the amount of spray starch needed by up to 50%.
Visit the Precision® webpage | Read the brochure | Learn about Precision FX 804
Learn more about Buckman’s process solutions for reducing starch use in paper packaging on our website. Or for additional information, click on the links above or fill out the contact form on this page.
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