Deinkability Score Impact on EPR Eco Modulation Fees in Recycled Stock
Deinkability scores under INGEDE Method 11 directly determine EPR eco-modulation fee surcharges or discounts on printed recycled paperboard packaging.
ISO 5350
Laboratory Protocol
Standardized test methods for paper pulp establish the maximum allowable concentration of visible contaminants in raw cellulose. The procedure known as ISO 5350 determines the quantity and area of dirt specks and shives in pulp sheets. This standard applies to both bleached and unbleached chemical and semi-chemical pulps to ensure consistent raw material quality before papermaking begins.
It involves inspecting the sheet under transmitted light to identify contrasting spots. These contaminants are categorized based on their surface area compared to a standard reference chart. The final report lists the total area of specks per square meter to provide a clear index of pulp purity.
Visual Inspection
Quality control in paper mills requires the precise measurement of non-fibrous particles that escape the digesting and bleaching processes. During the execution of ISO 5350, operators examine wet or dry pulp sheets against a background of high intensity illumination. This inspection identifies dark bark fragments, metal shavings and plastic residues that would otherwise create weak points in the finished paper sheet.
Unwanted specks undermine the printability of high-grade boards and can cause premature web breaks during high-speed printing runs.
Counting Method
Quantitative analysis of pulp impurities depends on systematic calculation of the equivalent black area of each detected speck. Under the guidelines of ISO 5350, the total surface area of dirt per kilogram of oven-dry pulp is expressed in square millimeters. This measurement is compared against client specifications to determine if a pulp batch meets the criteria.