What is the production process of biodegradable paper cups?

The production process of biodegradable paper cups can be summarized in the following main steps:

Raw Material Preparation
Material Selection: The main materials include pulp, plant fibers, starch additives, etc. These materials are sourced from renewable resources, such as bamboo pulp and bagasse.
Ingredient Proportioning: Typically, pulp constitutes the main component, supplemented by plant fibers and starch additives to enhance the strength and degradability of the paper cups. The specific proportions may vary depending on product requirements and production processes.

Paper Production
Pulp Processing: The pulp undergoes processes such as washing, screening, and bleaching to remove impurities and improve paper quality. During processing, eco-friendly additives like bioenzymes may be added to enhance the paper's properties and degradability.
Papermaking Process: The treated pulp is processed through a papermaking machine to form continuous sheets of paper. During the papermaking process, parameters such as paper thickness, density, and uniformity need to be strictly controlled to ensure the quality of the paper cups.

Cup Forming
Paper Cup Forming Machine: A specialized paper cup forming machine is used to shape the paper into cups.
Forming Process: The forming machine shapes the paper through heating and stamping, and controls the cup’s diameter, height, and other dimensions.
Lamination Treatment (if applicable): To improve the water and oil resistance of the paper cups, a layer of biodegradable lamination material can be applied to the inner wall of the cups. Lamination materials typically include biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which can completely degrade over time.

Inner Wall Treatment
Coating Material: A layer of biodegradable coating material is applied to the inner wall to enhance the water and oil resistance of the paper cups. The coating material must meet environmental standards and bond well with the cup’s main material.
Coating Process: The coating material is uniformly applied to the inner wall of the cups through spraying or rolling. The thickness and uniformity of the coating need to be controlled to ensure the cups’ water and oil resistance.

Cutting and Finishing
Cutting Process: A cutting machine is used to trim the formed paper cups, removing excess edges and uneven parts. During the cutting process, the dimensions and shape of the cups must meet the required standards.
Finishing Process: The trimmed paper cups are finished, including steps such as deburring and surface cleaning. The finished cups must meet quality standards before proceeding to the next step.

Inspection and Packaging
Quality Inspection: The produced paper cups undergo quality inspections, including checks for appearance quality, dimensional accuracy, and water and oil resistance. The inspection process must follow relevant standards and regulations to ensure that the cups meet quality requirements.
Packaging Process: The qualified paper cups are packaged for transportation and sale. The packaging materials must meet environmental requirements and effectively protect the cups during transportation.

Sterilization (if applicable)
Sterilization Process: To ensure the sanitary safety of the paper cups, sterilization treatment can be performed before packaging. Sterilization methods include ultraviolet (UV) sterilization and ozone sterilization, which can eliminate bacteria and viruses on the surface of the paper cups.