The secondary conversion of the Tetra Pak paperboard packaging

The presented paper is based on the experiments that were carried out in the paper mills. It shows the basic process of the secondary conversion of the paperboard packaging of Tetra Pak type beginning with the program of their collecting and sorting in the industrial scale. The mechanical characteristics revealed the excellent fibers to be used in various processes of paper products manufacturing. The packaging consists in 75% from paper, 20% of polyethylene and 5% of aluminium. The process of repulping lasts about 35 min. that separates the stock from aluminium and polyethylene layers. Aluminium and polyethylene are removed after completion of the repulping process or they can be recovered using three different methods: burning in order to generate the energy, aluminium is recovered in the way of the pyrolysis or in the plasma burner as well as making the plastic products in the way of thermic injection. From each ton of packaging introduced to the system it is possible to recover at least 650 kg of good quality fibres.