Meta-Chem Paints & Adhesives Pvt. Ltd., Nasik, has developed Non Plastic, Bio-degradable, Food Grade Polymer based Paper Coating Materials for making waterproof paper, Oil & Grease resistant paper with heat sealing property. There are two different types of coating. Polycoat – 602 is a solvent based paper coating material for making waterproof paper for packaging purpose. Another product is Polycoat – 603 W which is also Non Plastic, Bio-degradable, Food Grade Polymer coating for making waterproof as well as oil & grease resistant paper. This grade is also having heat sealing property. So both the products have huge scope of application from environment protection angle. Both our products are conforming to IS 17071: 2019 which has the primary condition that the product should be based on Non Plastic, Bio-degradable material.
There is some confusion in the market about products which are Recyclable and Repulpable. In this connection we would like to give some clarification. We all know that plastic is recyclable. So if some body is using plastic coating or laminating on paper, they can very well claim that the plastic coated paper is Recyclable. Again some people are using water based plastic emulsion which once coated on paper it will be having waterproofing, Oil & Grease Resistance property as well as heat sealing property. Now this plastic emulsion coated paper can go for repulping and one can recycle the paper.
Here the problem is that the nano particles of plastics which were there on the paper will now again come out with the filtered water during the filtration of paper pulp. These plastic particles can not be separated from the filtered water and it will be drained out in the river or canal. Gradually this water will be polluting our ground water and river water beyond our control. Today we are trying to avoid plastic film on paper because gradually the plastic will degrade and particles will pollute our water but the water based plastic emulsion is much more dangerous than plastic film. Because the plastic in the film form is visible but the nano particles of plastics passed through the filtered water is not visible.
This is the main reason, BIS was searching for some product which is based on Non Plastic material and also Bio-degradable. IS 17071: 2019 is formulated for the protection of environment. Gradually we must try to avoid the use of plastics in packaging different products and Meta-Chem will definitely play an important role in this environment friendly upgradation.