FPRDI takes on challenge amid a growing paper bag industry
May 24, 2012
As more and more municipalities across the country start using paper instead of plastics as packaging material, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI Philippines) organized last 20 April 2012 the “Seminar on Paper Bag Industry Outlook” to discuss the market prospects and challenges in paper bag manufacturing. FPRDI is a member of TAPPI Philippines, a non-profit organization that promotes the application of science in the manufacture of pulp and paper.
Attended by representatives from government agencies, pulp & paper and related industries, private sector and the academe among others, the seminar included discussions on government regulations, quality standards for packaging paper, state of Philippine paper manufacturing, paper chemistry, plastic-free society, and hybrid abaca fibers for paper manufacturing. Dr. Erlinda L. Mari, Scientist 1 at the FPRDI, discussed “Carbon Footprinting the Philippine Paper Industry?”
“People have become more aware of the environmental risks posed by the continued use of plastics after the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. Today, 27 towns already have in place local ordinances that regulate the use of plastic bags,” said Ms. Aimee Beatrix R. Habon, Science Research Specialist at FPRDI’s Technology Innovation Division. “Increased demand for pulp and paper means more challenges for the industry and for the Institute as well,” Habon added.
Ms. Adela S. Torres, Chief of FPRDI’s Pulp and Paper Products Development Section said, “The Institute has completed and on-going research studies on alternative raw materials such as low grade abaca fibers, banana fibers, and palm oils’ empty fruit bunch fibers for packaging paper. The UP Los Banos’ Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) is also interested in collaborating with us to study hybrid abaca as reinforcement fiber.” She added, “FPRDI is also part of the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards’ Technical Committee on Board, Paper, and Pulp which develops standards for packaging paper.”
FPRDI was likewise part of the initial stages when the “No to Plastic” campaign in Los Baños, Laguna was conceptualized. Los Baños was one of the first towns in the country to regulate the use of plastic bags for packaging. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin. 14 May 2012)
