Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

KLR Systems (KLR) is a company specialized in manufacturing packaging equipment and automating packaging processes, establishing itself as a pioneering force in the production of cardboard bag clips for bakery products. So far, the company sourced cardboard from a single supplier. However, variations in cardboard batches, observed in response to the demands of bagging and packaging processes, have compromised the quality of the bag clips. To enhance bag clips properties, KLR Systems wishes to collaborate with Innofibre to develop its own cardboard for bag clip production. The project is committed to adopting an eco-responsible approach by employing agricultural leftovers as raw materials for cardboard production. KLR has identified agricultural waste, such as wheat straw and switchgrass stalk, in proximity to its facilities and has secured a stable supply through established relationships with farmers in the Montérégie region. The pulp production will involve the investigation of two different pulping processes. To produce cardboard prototypes, the resulting cellulosic pulp must meet criteria for drainage, strength, and forming properties comparable to recycled fibers. Furthermore, the cardboard manufacturing process will be assessed using two technologies available at Innofibre: the pulp moulding/thermoforming and the traditional cardboard manufacturing process. The evaluation of cardboard produced through these technologies will be conducted at KLR facilities, at industrial bag clip manufacturing and bagging conditions to ensure the highest standards of quality and performance. Innofibre, with its extensive experience in the pulp and paper field and biomass transformation, will provide valuable support for the correct development of this project.