Turn an ordinary mobile phone or tablet into an instant microscope by attaching a thin, magnetic microscope module in front of the camera’s normal lens. The device fits easily in the user’s pocket, unlike conventional tubular microscopes. It’s accurate to one hundredth of a millimeter. Among those who will benefit from the device are printing industry professionals, consumers, those in the security business and even health care professions. Not to mention that it’s just fun to take microscopic images!

Web tension variations and web’s instability decrease the productivity. VTT has a long experience and means to improve the runnability in printing presses as well as in paper making.

EXPERTISE

• Modelling and simulations
Problems in production can be effectively
solved by simulating the process and by
studying the interaction mechanisms of paper and press

• Measurements
On-line measurements are the key to finding
and solving production problems

• Data mining
Data mining is an efficient tool for finding the key parameters affecting productivity

• Process and product development

• Trouble-shooting in press-rooms and paper mills

ACTIVITIES

• Runnability and productivity of printing presses

• Modelling and simulating the interactions of paper and printing press

• Web handling and development work in printed electronics

• Runnability in paper mill

SPECIAL MEASUREMENTS

• Web tension profile (on-line)

• Nip load distribution

• Web width and movements (on-line)

• Colour register errors (on-line)

OUR CLIENTS

• Printers, paper makers, printing press manufacturers, paper machine manufacturers, automation suppliers

BENEFITS TO OUR CLIENTS

• More stable web through the printing press

• Less web breaks and paper waste

• Less colour/cut register problems

• Better machine performance in the paper mill

Contact:

Katja Jokiaho
Key Account Manager
Tel +358 20 722 7429
Katja.jokiaho@vtt.fi

The invention

The new VTT process utilizes a novel starch-based formulation and a hot-press process for producing defined transparent areas in paper products. The technology is based on impregnation of the fiber web with a thermoplastic polymer formulation that dispels air within the fiber web producing transparent areas. A suitable formulation is selected from VTT's bio-polymeric formulations including starch esters, cellulose esters and/or PLA according to the application.

The benefits

Cost-efficiency due to easy one-step methodPossibility to integrate with existing production processesEasy application: liquid low molecular weight components can be distributed with conventional printing equipmentPossibility to apply multiple windows or decorative patterns on the same product with a single stepProvides transparency, increased strength and barrier properties with minimum amount of materialAll materials bio-based and completely recyclableNo need to assemble separate strip windows

Application and market areas

High-volume manufacturing of envelopes, paper and cardboard packagingDecorative fiber products

Intellectual property

WO 2010/046534 pending

VTT works closely with customers to tailor the IP for the customer end use to ensure successful technology transfer.

Inka Orko
Business development manager
+358 20 722 6630

VTT introduces an ecological light scattering film for brand protection, packages and consumer products

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed printable holographic-like film technology for plastic-based and fibre-based packages, enabling cost-effective and environmentally friendly dynamic printing. This allows wrappings, mobile phones, CD jewel cases and laptops to be given an attractive new look. The technology is suitable for mass production and can be integrated into existing printing presses. Iscent Oy, a new Finnish enterprise, is commercialising the technology jointly with VTT.

Applications of the technology include the ability to label genuine brand products with a technical solution that is difficult to counterfeit. Printers can reduce the use of inks with this method, and advertising agencies can create striking packages that are environmentally friendly. Applications further include transparent films and gift wrappings, which can be made more decorative without compromising transparency. The technology is also suitable for injection-moulded plastic products such as mobile phone shells, CD jewel cases and laptops, and for laminate solutions such as interior design elements and sports equipment.

Commercial holograms in the printing industry are almost without exception printed on narrow-web lines. Iscent is investing in the capacity to produce end product up to 1,200 mm wide, which will open up a completely new range of business opportunities, enabling large-volume product lines thanks to minimised raw material costs.

Commercial holographic technologies are based on metal foiling or coatings, laminated structures and UV curable varnishes. With the new light scattering method, none of these will be needed, nor will any other extra materials: the rainbow colours are generated simply by altering the topography of the plastic or paper surface being treated.

The new method is based on a hot embossing technology where a pair of rollers similar to a calender exerts nip pressure on the plastic or paper web run through them. The lattice design on the main roller is copied to the web by the heat and pressure.

Iscent Oy, based in Tampere, Finland, is commercialising a new, high-quality optical effect film material. Iscent supplies film materials to Finnish and foreign companies and licenses its technology to converting industry of film materials. The new method enables cost-effective production and has a potential worldwide market. The technology can be licensed internationally for a scalable business opportunity.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed biobased polymer and hybrid materials to provide competitive biobased alternatives for synthetic barrier materials in packaging applications. The VTT biobarriers are either dispersions or solutions of agro- & forest-based biomass, and can be applied as coatings, or as varnishes, on paper, board, corrugates or plastic film. Suitable application is via traditional coating methods, including flexographic printing.

Barrier coatings play a vital role in a vast spectrum of applications ranging from daily consumer products to advanced microelectronics. Where applied, barrier coatings have been designed to protect and preserve the product from harmful external influences. Low grease, oxygen, water and water vapour permeability are the most common properties sought after. There is a trend to replace petroleum-based barrier materials with more sustainable alternatives.

VTT biobarriers can especially be used as oxygen and grease and oil barriers for chilled and frozen food by e.g.:

Replacement of non-renewable coatings on packaging boardReplacement of inner plastic pouches/bags of dry foods by barrier coated boardReplacement of aluminium foil in pouches for e.g. spicesReplacement of fluorochemicals in fast food and greasy food applications

VTT will have two demonstrators (examples below) containing biobarriers at the fair, representing cereal and bakery packaging.

Cereal Packaging:

Inside Barrier: Wood xylan dispersion coating
Effective mineral oil barrier
High oil and grease resistance
80 – 35 Oxygen – Water vapour transmission
Heat sealable

Bakery Packaging:

Window: Wood xylan film
Inside Barrier: PLA dispersion coating
High oil and grease resistance
15 – 45 Oxygen – Water vapour transmission
Heat sealable

Business Development

Contact: jouni.lattu@vtt.fi

SUORA research environment is a unique and cost efficient research environment. Planning of the environment has been done together with industry and demands for different kind of research needs can be fulfilled.

Production of fibre based products is using lot of energy. This together with increasing quality demands of printed products and cost effective production is setting challenges for forest cluster. Development chain from laboratory to production for new products and processes should be much faster than it is today. SUORA-environment will dramatically improve possibilities to test new products, process concepts and new type of equipment as well as raw materials in realistic papermaking conditions. Since the environment is much smaller than the pilot machines, it enables more cost efficient and faster development of new products and processes. In SUORA new ideas towards the industrial solutions can be easily demonstrated. Possibility to effective co-operation between key actors and VTT’s multidisciplinary know how offer platform for fruit full innovations and new products in SUORA-environment. The development work of the companies can be fastened and intensified.

New process and product concepts

• Fundamentals of web forming
• Paper structure
• Dewatering
• Wet end process development
• Mixing, deaeration, screening
• Wet-pressing
• Sensor development
• Papermachine clothing development
• Chemical and raw material studies

Running concepts

• Once-through (no circulation)
• Small volume circulation (15 m3) – 500 kg pulp (abs dry)
• Large volume circulation (100 m3) – 3000 kg pulp (abs dry)

Technical specifications:

Forming unit
• Gap/Hybrid/Fourdrinier
• Web speed 2500 m/min
• Headbox flowrate 240 l/s/m
• Web width 300 mm
• Fabric width 500 mm

Press
• Max line load 2000 kN/m
• Web width ~210 mm
• Belt width 700 mm

For further information on laboratory and pilot-scale research and trial services, please contact

Harri Kiiskinen Senior Research Scientist
Tel. +358 40 527 3853
harri.kiiskinen@vtt.fi

Terhi Saari, Key Account Manager
Tel. + 358 40 061 5396
terhi.saari@vtt.fi

VTT has created a roll to roll surface treatment concept that can be used to coating and surface treatment of fiber based webs and plastics. The concept includes several coating methods, pre-treatments and curing options.

Forest industry manufacturing fiber based bulk products is going through changes. Companies are craving for innovations for example in the area of printed intelligence to achieve added value for their products. Products aimed at intelligence solutions can be expensive to test and material amounts of base substrates and coatings small and variable.

Surface treatment line offers a possibility to trial new surface treatments for special applications with small material demands for fiber based and also plastic materials compared to traditional pilot machines.

Surface treatment line delivered by Coatema is unique, versatile surface treatment concept where idea of fixed process is discarded. Individual components can be connected as desired and the line set up according to customer needs. The main benefits of the surface treatment concept are low cost, low coating material demand and testing for broad base material selection including all plastics, paper and carton board. The sealable coating unit followed by exhaust air removal during drying makes it possible to test coatings containing harmful volatile substances possible. Coating methods include flexo-type roll coating, soft bar coating, curtain coating and spray coating. All three first mentioned methods can be followed be spray coating to make wet on wet coatings.

Surface treatments can be cured using cold or hot air drying, IR-drying or UV-curing.

For further information on surface treatment co-operation possibilities in research and trial services, please contact

Katja Jokiaho
Customer Manager
Tel. + 358 40 512 3608
katja.jokiaho@vtt.fi

Active Paper technology makes graphics appear on a seemingly blank sheet of paper! A drop of liquid activates a rapid and controlled color change effect and enables immediate interaction between the brand, its products and consumers. The Active Paper technology is a platform for both paper-based products for interactive brand/product advertising and for simple everyday diagnostics tests based on visual indication. We can show tangible demonstrators at our booth!

Contact
Tomi Erho, Principal Scientist
tel.+358 50 563 4126
tomi.erho@vtt.fi

Biobased, biodegradable and/or recyclable solutions are in increasing demand in packaging applications due to the growing concerns about environmental issues. VTT has world-class experience of developing paper and board all the way from fi bre composition to the fi nal printed product for multiple applications

Increasing demand for biobased substrates

A number of printed intelligence features, especially electronic features, require a stable, smooth and preferably non-absorbent substrate. For this reason, different kinds of synthetic plastics have been the substrates of choice for printed electronics developments. Plastics are also commonly used in a range of consumer goods packages, thus providing an easy base on which to print the functionalities directly. Due to the growing concerns about environmental issues together with the uncertainty an the prise of oil, the CPG companies, together with the packaging industry, are looking for new biobased, biodegradable or recyclable solutions. Paper wrapping and packaging board are selfevident examples of such solutions. The surfaces of these materials may need to be formed differently, however, in order for them to function well with printed electronic features.

VTT can develop and pilot from fi bre to the fi nal product VTT has world-class experience in developing paper and board for multiple applications all the way from fi bre composition to the fi nal printed product. VTT has extensive development experience as well as on-going activities in the development of biobased materials to replace synthetic materials or minerals in, for example, paper and packaging solutions.

VTT also has the potential to perform all the steps in piloting roll-to-roll trials of printed intelligence on a fibre base starting from pulping, going through web forming into coating and printing paper or board rolls. The actual sample packages can also be formed with VTT's die-cutting and creasing equipment.

Contact:
Katja Jokiaho, Key Account Manager
+358 40 512 3608
katja.jokiaho@vtt.fi

For several years, VTT has concentrated its printed intelligence developments on roll-to-roll printing, and it has built its facilities to meet these requirements. The step from laboratory-scale to room-size pilot machines was taken at the beginning of the millennium, and the next step towards factory-scale roll-to-roll production is now about to be realised.

As one of the leading research and innovation centres in the field of printed intelligence, VTT has seen and is committed to addressing the future needs of developing larger production capabilities and associated machinery and processing equipment to meet the emerging needs of industry. The integration of several production technologies into one production line also makes it possible to produce the desired applications with fewer production runs, which enhances the understanding of in-line printing processes and decreases the risk of unwanted phenomena due to the added processing steps, e.g., with multiple rewinding and unwinding steps. With the valuable lessons learned from earlier machine set-ups, VTT continues to look forward and invest in these first of-their-kind R2R lines. In 2010, VTT built a new printing hall in close collaboration with and with financial support from the PrintoCent community, which enables the next major step toward full-scale pilot production printing. The new facility has been designed to provide the required surroundings and necessary support for state-of

–the-art printing of new roll-to-roll-printed components and systems. The new lines are designed to meet the needs for applications developed and demonstrated previously on a laboratory scale.

Proven parameters for upscaling production

With the new printing facilities at VTT it is possible to generate information and conduct research on a range of different applications, particularly from the production point of view of upscaling and optimisation. As the markets for printed intelligence are emerging and the first killer products are still in development, it is important to test different kinds of possibilities to produce each application. With interchangeable printing units and a variety of post-processing capabilities, it is possible to find the best way to produce each application as well as a commercially suitable solution for use in mass production. This information will eventually be valuable in further defining fixed production lines for the commercial production of high-volume products.

Contact:
Katja Jokiaho, Key Account Manager
+358 40 512 3608
katja.jokiaho@vtt.fi

Polymers compounded, milled or otherwise mixed with nano-metric size organic or inorganic filler materials enhance the performance of traditional plastic materials. With expertise and careful planning these polymeric materials can reach new desired combination of properties due to the tailored interaction of the individual material components at nanolevel.

Technical approaches for new polymer compounds:

• Highly conductive compounds, electrical and thermalconductivity for energy applications
• Dielectric compounds for electrical applications
• Gas and vapour barriers
• Optimize the overall performance profile of traditionally highly filled plastics e.g. fire retardance, UV-resistance and/or mechanical properties

• Sustained functionality even after recycling steps along the material's life cycle

Scientific interests in nanocompounding:

• Compatibility of nanoparticles in plastics
• Favourable dispersion of the nanoparticles
• Nanoparticle-matrice interfacial phenomena

Nanocomposites with improved performance

Filled impact resistant plastic composite for low temperature applications is worth mentioning as one successful research result. The PE composite with improved performance was achieved by developed processing where dry materials were mechanically treated for better bonding. The results indicate that mechanical milling of talc and polyethylene together has a significant effect on the impact strength, even three times better numerical values were measured.

Another interesting research result is a concept of a conductive nanofiller hybrid in PP consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and inherently conductive polymer, such as polyaniline (PANi). Chemical synthesis of CNT-PANi hybrid was performed with non-covalent lingake and controllable CNT/PANi concentrations. Low molecular weight dispersing agents were exploited with molecular recognition capability with PANi. The novel hybrid was compounded with PP. As a result high conductive injection moulded parts (>10 S/cm) were generated in which the conductivity fulfilsthe needs of EMI shielding.

With inorganic nanofillers better recyclability of plastics can be achieved while retaining the functionality at the same time. In this field for example fire retardancy, antibacterials and UV protection is studied at VTT.

Asko Ojala
Key Account Manager
Tel. +358 20 722 3024
asko.ojala@vtt.fi

Johanna Lampinen
Key Account Manager
Tel. +358 20 722 3537
johanna.lampinen@vtt.fi