Wetlaid material for oral pouched product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wetlaid material comprising cellulose and thermoplastic fibers for use in a pouched product in order to enclose a filling composition. The present invention also relates to the pouched product.

Description

DescriptionTitle: WETLAID MATERIAL FOR ORAL POUCHED PRODUCTTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure pertains to the field of wetlaid material for use in a pouched product for oral use in order to enclose a filing material. The present invention also relates to a pouched product for oral use comprising such a wetlaid material.Background Art

[0002] Pouched product for oral use comprises a pouch enclosing a composition, in particular a powder or a fibrous support such as for instance tobacco, a plant, microcrystalline cellulose, containing an active ingredient such as nicotine, caffeine and / or ascorbic acid. The pouch is a small, soft, flexible packet designed to be placed in the mouth of the user and delivers the active ingredient into the saliva.

[0003] The experience provided by a pouched product for oral use to the consumer must be satisfying. Therefore, the pouch must be soft and flexible enough to be comfortable when placed in the mouth of the user and not tear in the mouth so that powder loss through the wrapper material and the seals of the pouch is avoided. Indeed, if a pouch leaks, the powder inside the pouch can come into direct contact with the user's gums, cheeks, or tongue. This can cause discomfort, irritation and unwanted swallowing. Also, powder loss must be avoided when the pouch is stored before use since it leads to wasted product, which contributes to user’s dissatisfaction. Moreover, powder loss can lead to an inconsistent delivery of active ingredient. Some portions might contain more active ingredient than others due to the powder loss, which can impact the user's experience.

[0004] Moreover, the wrapper material used to form the pouch must allow the pouch manufacturing. It must also avoid powder loss from the pouch during manufacturing. Indeed, powder loss may lead to the presence of powder within the seal thereby reducing the seal strength and the manufacture of poor-quality pouch that cannot be sold. Additionally, powder might accumulate within the production machinery requiring frequent maintenance shutdowns. In other words, powder loss has a negative impact on the productivity. Moreover, powder might have adverse implications for the working environment, as it might disperse in the air, posing risks.

[0005] There is a need for a pouched product that meets the above requirements, being manufactured without tearing while being soft and flexible enough to be comfortable when placed in the user’s mouth.

[0006] The inventors have developed a wetlaid material that can be used to produce a pouched product that fulfils these needs.Summary

[0007] It is proposed a wetlaid material comprising:- at least 65 wt %, preferably at least 70 wt %, more preferably at least 75 wt % of cellulose fibers;- from 10 to 30 wt %, preferably from 15 to 25 wt %, more preferably from 18 to 22 wt % of thermoplastic fibers, in particular biobased thermoplastic fibers;- from 0.05 to 4 wt %, preferably from 0.1 to 2.5 wt %, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.5 wt % of a consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups, and- from 0.3 to 1 wt %, preferably from 0.4 to 0.6 wt %, more preferably from 0.45 to 0.55 wt % of a wet strength agent, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material and wherein said wetlaid material is saliva-permeable.

[0008] A pouched product comprising a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention has very satisfactory mechanical properties. In particular, the wetlaid material has improved dry strength and wet strength so that:- the pouched product is very resistant to powder loss while maintaining flexibility when placed in the user’s mouth, making its experience particularly comfortable, and- the productivity of the pouched product manufacturing process is high and the quality of the pouched product is good.

[0009] Without wishing to be bound to any theory, the inventors are of the opinion that these unexpected properties may be explained by the combination of the consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups and the wet strength agent that unexpectedly enhances the properties of the wet strength agent. In particular, the consolidation agent may form covalent bonds with the wet strength agent that is covalently bonded to the cellulose fibers, and thus reinforce the network of fibers and the overall strength of the wetlaid material.

[0010] Moreover, the wetlaid material according to the invention may be free of latex binder thanks to the combination of the consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups and the wet strength agent. The biodegradability of the wetlaid material according to the invention is improved.

[0011] In another aspect, it is proposed a pouched product comprising:- a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention with an inner volume, and- a composition contained in the inner volume of the pouch.

[0012] In another aspect, it is proposed a method for manufacturing the wetlaid material of the present invention comprising the step of wet-laying a mixture comprising cellulose fibers, thermoplastic fibers, in particular biobased thermoplastic fibers, the consolidation agent comprising carboxylic groups and the wet strength agent.

[0013] It is also proposed a method for manufacturing the pouched product comprising following steps:a) providing a tube made of the wetlaid material of the invention wrapping the composition between two open ends thereof, and b) sealing the open end(s) of the tube to manufacture the pouched product.

[0014] Advantageously, the methods for manufacturing the wetlaid material and the pouched products is easy to implement since it only requires simple production tools which are also well- known by the person skilled in the art.Detailed Description

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, it is proposed a wetlaid material comprising:- at least 65 wt %, preferably at least 70 wt %, more preferably at least 75 wt % of cellulose fibers;- from 10 to 30 wt %, preferably from 15 to 25 wt %, more preferably from 18 to 22 wt % of thermoplastic fibers, in particular biobased thermoplastic fibers;- from 0.05 to 4 wt %, preferably from 0.1 to 2.5 wt %, more preferably from 0.15 to 0.5 wt % of a consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups, and- from 0.3 to 1 wt %, preferably from 0.4 to 0.6 wt %, more preferably from 0.45 to 0.55 wt % of a wet strength agent, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material and wherein said wetlaid material is saliva-permeable.

[0016] The term "thermoplastic fibers", as used herein, denotes fibers that soften and / or partly and / or fully melt when exposed to heat and are capable to bind with each other orto other non-thermoplastic fibers, such as cellulose fibers, upon cooling and resolidifying.

[0017] The term “consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups”, as used herein, denotes a compound comprising carboxyl groups that can form covalent bonds with the wet strength agent.

[0018] The term “wet strength agent”, as used herein, denotes a polymer that is added to a paper product to improve its strength and dimensional stability in the presence of moisture by making crosslinking bonds between the paper fibers forming a strong network increasing the resistance of the paper when contacted with water.

[0019] The expression “based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material”, as used herein, denotes the percentage of inclusion of component in the dry wetlaid material (commonly known as dry matter content).

[0020] Examples of cellulose fibers which are present in the wetlaid material of the invention can be hardwood pulp, bleached hardwood pulp, softwood pulp, bleached softwood pulp, softwood fluff pulp, hemp fiber, Indian hemp fiber, abaca fiber, jute fiber, kenaf fiber, kudzu fiber, coin vine fiber, flax fiber, okra fiber, nettle fiber, papyrus fiber, ramie fiber, sisal fiber, esparto fiber or mixtures thereof, in particular softwood pulp, softwood fluff pulp, hemp fiber, abaca fiber, sisal fiber, flax fiber or mixtures thereof, more particularly softwood pulp.

[0021] Typically, the length of the cellulose fibers may be from 1 to 5 mm, preferably from 1 .5 to 4.5 mm, more preferably from 2 to 3 mm.

[0022] The wetlaid material according to the invention comprising cellulose fibers having a length in these ranges of values has advantageously a tensile strength that allows the pouched product to have resistance to tearing when manufacturing the pouch.

[0023] Typically, the melting point of the thermoplastic fibers may be from 100°C to 230°C, preferably from 130°C to 200°C, more preferably from 160°C to 190°C.

[0024] The wetlaid material comprising thermoplastic fibers having a melting point within these ranges of values has the advantage of being sealable while not being degraded during the sealing process thereby allowing the manufacturing of pouched products with good quality and good productivity.

[0025] For instance, the thermoplastic fibers may be polybutylene succinate (PBS) fibers, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) fibers, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers, copolymers of PHA fibers or mixtures thereof, in particular polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers or mixtures thereof.

[0026] The PHA fibers may be poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fibers, poly(3- hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) fibers, poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (P3HV) fibers, poly(5-hydroxyvalerate) (P5HV) fibers or mixtures thereof, in particular PLA fibers or mixtures thereof.

[0027] Advantageously, PBS fibers, PLA fibers, P3HB fibers, P3HV fibers and P5HV fibers are biobased thermoplastic fibers.

[0028] Accordingly, the pouched product of the present invention comprising a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention comprising these biobased thermoplastic fibers has an improved sustainability.

[0029] Moreover, the inventors are of the opinion that the wetlaid material comprising these biobased thermoplastic fibers would be considered as biodegradable according to the EN 13432:2000.

[0030] Typically, the fineness of the thermoplastic fibers, in particular the PLA fibers, may be from 0.6 to 150 dtex, preferably from 0.8 to 5 dtex, more preferably from 1 to 3 dtex.

[0031] Typically, the length of the thermoplastic fibers, in particular the PLA fibers, may be from 1 to 10 mm, preferably from 3 to 8 mm, more preferably from 4 to 6 mm.

[0032] PLA fibers are particularly advantageous since, in addition to being biobased, their melting point may be easily adjusted to the properties of the wetlaid material of the present invention or to the parameters of the manufacturing process of the pouched product comprising a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention.

[0033] Indeed, it is known that PLA exists in two stereoisomeric forms, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA), and that the melting point of PLA depends on the ratio between the L- isomer poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and the D-isomer poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA) in the polymer chain.

[0034] The wetlaid material according to the invention may comprise from 10 to 30 wt %, preferably from 15 to 25 wt %, more preferably from 18 to 22 wt % of PLA fibers, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material.

[0035] The wet strength agent may be polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin (PAE), polyacrylamide, melamine-formaldehyde, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine, a starch derivative, a lignin derivative, a chitosan derivative or mixtures thereof, in particular PAE, polyacrylamide, melamine-formaldehyde, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine or mixtures thereof, more particularly PAE.

[0036] The wet strength agent may be a natural or a synthetic wet strength agent.

[0037] PAE, polyacrylamide, melamine-formaldehyde, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, polyvinylamine, and polyethyleneimine are synthetic wet strength agents.

[0038] PAE and melamine-formaldehyde are advantageous wet strength agent since they are both resins. They provide resistance to moisture essentially through the two following mechanisms.Firstly, resin-fiber co-crosslinkings are formed, involving direct covalent bonding between cellulose fibers through a resin molecule; these linkages supplement and strengthen the natural cellulose hydrogen bonds in the dry sheet, adding to the overall strength of wet fibers. Since these bonds are covalent, they resist to wet conditions.And, secondly, resin-resin homo-crosslinkings are formed, involving crosslinking of the resin with itself without forming covalent bonds with cellulose. The crosslinked resin is dispersed onto the fibers and undergoes self-crosslinking to form an insoluble network that surrounds and penetrates the fiber contacts. This network impedes fiber separation when the paper is wetted, thereby preserving some of the original dry strength.

[0039] The natural wet strength agent is derived from natural sources and forms hydrogen bonds with cellulose fibers, enhancing the strength of the paper when wet. The starch derivative, the lignin derivative, the chitosan derivative are natural wet strength agents.

[0040] The consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups may be a carboxylated polysaccharide, in particular carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch, carboxymethyl chitosan, hemicellulose, carboxymethyl dextran, carboxymethyl pullulan or mixtures thereof, more particularly CMC.

[0041] The wetlaid material according to the invention may further comprise regenerated cellulose fibers.

[0042] The term "regenerated cellulose fibers", as used herein, denotes fibers manufactured by the conversion of natural cellulose to a soluble cellulosic derivative and subsequent regeneration into cellulose fibers. Regenerated cellulose fibers have the advantage that they can be produced from renewable cellulose sources, which contributes to the environmental sustainability of the wetlaid material of the present invention. Furthermore, regenerated cellulose fibers may improve theexperience of the user of a pouched product comprising a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention. Indeed, these fibers enhance the comfortability of the feel of the pouched products when placed in the oral cavity. Additionally, they significantly reduce powder loss.

[0043] The regenerated cellulose fibers may be lyocell fibers (cellulose fibers which are ground and dissolved in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide monohydrate for the purpose of obtaining fibers with a cross section of variable shape (round, oval, cross-shaped, circular, lamellar cross section) with calibrated length and mass per unit length, which the person skilled in the art can choose depending on the needs), viscose fibers (fibers obtained by dissolving cellulose by means of modification of its hydroxyl groups by carbon disulfide (CS2) and then its precipitation in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for the purpose of obtaining fibers with a cross section of variable shape (round, oval, crossshaped, circular, lamellar cross section) with calibrated length and mass per unit length, which the person skilled in the art can choose depending on the needs) or mixtures thereof, in particular viscose fibers.

[0044] Typically, the material may comprise from 1 to 10 wt %, preferably from 3 to 8 wt %, more preferably from 4 to 6 wt % of regenerated cellulose fibers, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material.

[0045] The basis weight of the wetlaid material may be from 14 to 30 g / m2, preferably from 15 to 22 g / m2, more preferably from 16 to 19 g / m2.

[0046] The pouched product manufactured with the wetlaid material of the invention having a basis weight in these ranges of values has advantageously more flexibility when placed into the mouth of the user and enables a fast release of the active ingredient into the saliva from the pouched product, making its experience more comfortable and satisfying.

[0047] The standard ISO 536:2012 is used to determine the basis weight of the wetlaid material. The wetlaid material is conditioned for at least 30 min at 23°C and 50% relative humidity before the measurement.

[0048] The thickness of the wetlaid material may be from 45 to 100 pm, preferably from 52 to 80 pm, more preferably from 55 to 65 pm.

[0049] Advantageously, the controlled release of flavors or active ingredients of a composition contained in a pouch made of the wetlaid material of the present invention having a thickness in these ranges of values is facilitated when the pouched product is placed in the mouth of a user. The integrity of said pouch is also maintained.

[0050] The standard ISO 534:2011 is used to determine the thickness of the wetlaid material. The measurements were performed on one layer. The wetlaid material is conditioned for at least 30 min at 23°C and 50% relative humidity before the measurement.

[0051] The air permeability of the wetlaid material may be from 1000 to 50000 CORESTA Unit (CU), preferably from 5000 to 45000 CU, more preferably from 15000 to 35000 CU.

[0052] The air permeability of the wetlaid material is determined by ISO 2965:2009. The wetlaid material is conditioned for at least 30 min at 23°C and 50% relative humidity before the measurement.

[0053] The wetlaid material according to the invention may be free of latex binder.

[0054] The wetlaid material may comprise- at least 75 wt % of cellulose fibers,- from 18 to 22 wt % of PLA fibers,- from 0.15 to 0.5 wt % of CMC,- from 0.4 to 1 wt % of PAE, and- from 4 to 6 wt % of viscose, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material.

[0055] The pouched products manufactured with this specific wetlaid material have an extremely reduced powder loss.

[0056] In another aspect of the invention, it is proposed a pouched product comprising:- a pouch made of the wetlaid material as described herein with an inner volume, and- a composition contained in the inner volume of the pouch.

[0057] For instance, the composition contained in the inner volume of the pouch may be a tobacco- derived product, a particulate material containing an active ingredient, a reconstituted plant sheet containing an active ingredient, cellulose containing an active ingredient, a cellulose derivative containing an active ingredient or mixtures thereof, in particular a tobacco-derived product, a cellulose derivative containing an active ingredient or mixtures thereof.

[0058] The tobacco-derived product may be a particulate tobacco material.

[0059] The particulate material may be a plant based particulate material.

[0060] The cellulose derivative may be microcrystalline cellulose.

[0061] In some embodiments, the active ingredient may be nicotine, cannabinoids, an antiaging ingredient, a stress / anxiety managing ingredient, a sleep managing ingredient, an immunity boosting ingredient, an energy boosting ingredient, a cognitive health ingredient, a sexual wellbeing ingredient, a digestion helping ingredient, an allergy handling ingredient or mixtures thereof, in particular nicotine.

[0062] The stress / anxiety managing ingredient can be theanine, vitamin B6, magnesium or mixtures thereof.

[0063] Melatonin is an example of sleep managing ingredient.

[0064] The antiaging ingredient may be taurine, resveratrol, selenium or mixtures thereof.

[0065] The immunity boosting ingredient may be glutathione, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc or mixtures thereof.

[0066] The energy boosting ingredient may be caffeine, theacrine, theophylline, theine or mixtures thereof.

[0067] The cognitive health ingredient may be citicoline, vitamin B3 or mixtures thereof.

[0068] Vitamin B16 may be an allergy handling ingredient.

[0069] It is also proposed a method for manufacturing the wetlaid material of the present invention comprising the step of wet-laying a mixture comprising cellulose fibers, thermoplastic fibers, the consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups, the wet strength agent and optionally regenerated cellulose fibers.

[0070] Typically, for manufacturing the wetlaid material of the invention, the first step is to refine the cellulose fibers. Then, thermoplastic fibers, the consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups, the wet strength agent and optionally regenerated cellulose fibers are added to the refined cellulose fibers. The wetlaid material is then manufactured on an inclined wire wet laid paper machine to form a sheet. Finally, the wetlaid material is dried.

[0071] Wetlaid manufacturing offers several advantages, including precise control over fiber distribution, enabling the production of uniform, smooth and consistent paper web.

[0072] It is also proposed a method for manufacturing the pouched product comprising following steps: a) providing a tube made of the wetlaid material of the invention wrapping the composition between two open ends thereof, and b) sealing the open end(s) of the tube to manufacture the pouched product.

[0073] Typically, for manufacturing the pouched products of the invention, a bobbin of the wetlaid material of the present invention may be used. This bobbin may be loaded on a manufacturing equipment, which unwinds the paper, forms a tube, seals this tube longitudinally and seals one open end of the tube. Then the manufacturing equipment may inject the composition into the tube through the remaining open end of the tube. The tube may then be cut and sealed to form the pouched product.Brief Description of DrawingsFig. 1

[0074] Figure 1 is a photography of a pouch; (a) : extremity 1 ; (b) : extremity 2 ; (c) : longitudinal heat seal.Examples

[0075] Example 1 : Manufacturing of wetlaid material

[0076] Wetlaid material of Samples A and B according to the invention were manufactured by:1 / mixing refined cellulose fibers (°SR between 30 and 50) with CMC as consolidation agent comprising carboxyl groups to obtain a first mixture. Then, adding PLA fibers, PAE as wet strengthagent and optionally viscose fibers to this first mixture to obtain a second mixture, 2 / laying this second mixture over an inclined wire and forming it into a web, and then 3 / drying the web to a dry matter content around 96%.

[0077] Wetlaid material of Samples C and D, not according to the invention, were manufactured by: 1 / mixing refined cellulose fibers (°SR between 30 and 50) with PLA fibers and PAE as wet strength agent to obtain a mixture,2 / laying this mixture over an inclined wire and forming into a web, and then 3 / drying the web to a dry matter content around 96%.

[0078] The composition and some properties of each wetlaid material is presented in Table 1 below.

[0079] Table 1

[0080] Example 2: Manufacturing of pouched products

[0081] A pouched product is manufactured from the wetlaid material of Samples A to D with the following conventional process with a MERZ machine:1 / manufacturing a paper tube is done by unwinding and wrapping the wetlaid material around a first stainless-steel rod with a diameter of 26 mm + / - 0.02 mm,2 / forming a longitudinal heat seal on the tube by contacting the tube, during 300 to 360 ms at a pressure of 6 bars, with a stainless-steel hot plate heated at 240°C,3 / sealing one of the two open ends of the tube, by contacting the open end of the tube during 300 ms at a pressure of 6 bars with a stainless-steel hot plate heated at 250°C,4 / injecting the tobacco powder (400 mg / pouched product) through the remaining open end using pressurized air,5 / while sealing the remaining open end of the tube, by contacting the remaining open end of the tube during 300 ms at a pressure of 6 bars with a stainless-steel hot plate heated at 250°C, cutting the wetlaid material to produce a pouched product.

[0082] These 5 steps are repeated to obtain pouched products made from the wet material of Samples A to D at a rate up to 120 pouched products per minute.

[0083] Example 3: Assessment of powder loss.

[0084] In order to assess powder loss of pouched products manufactured from each wetlaid material of Samples A, C and D, the test is performed as follows:1 / Materials: a. Sieve shaker RETSCH AS200 digit (amplitude 100%), b. Precision balance ±0.01 mg, c. Plastic box (4.5cmX5.8cmX1 ,8cm), d. 20 pouched products.2 / Protocol: a. Weigh empty box (Pi), b. Fill the box with 20 pouched products, c. Weigh the box (P2), d. Submit the box to 2 X 5 minutes of sieving, e. Remove shaken pouched products (taking care to leave the remaining powder on the outer surface of the pouch in the box), f. Weigh the box (P3).3 / The lost weight result (Pp) is expressed as follows: Pp (%) = (P3-P1) I (P2-P1) *100

[0085] The results presented in Table 2 below highlight that the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material of the present invention (Samples A and B) show a reduced powder loss in comparison to the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material not according to the invention (Sample C).

[0086] The powder loss of the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material of the present invention comprising viscose (Sample B) is even reduced by about 97% compared the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material not according to the invention (Sample C).

[0087] Table 2

[0088] Example 4: Assessment of quality of pouched product.

[0089] Microscopic analyses were carried out on 100 pouched products manufactured from each of wetlaid material of Samples A, B and D to detect any defects of said pouched products. The three welded parts of each pouched product were examined: (a): extremity 1 , (b): extremity 2 and (c): longitudinal heat seal as represented in Figure 1. The integrity of the paper, except for the welded parts is also examined.

[0090] Using microscopic analyses, the pouched products were classified into 3 categories: good, medium and bad.

[0091] To be classified in the category “good”, the pouched product must have all heat seals perfectly closed, with no powder trapped inside the heat seal and no defects on the paper.

[0092] To be classified in the category “medium”, the pouched product presents minor defects such as powder in the heat seal (but no powder loss), but seals seam intact.

[0093] To be classified in the category “bad”, the pouched product presents major defects (with powder loss) such as: heat seal not complete, powder in the seal preventing it from closing completely, hole(s) in paper.

[0094] The results (%) are presented in Table 3.

[0095] Table 3

[0096] These results highlight that the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material of the present invention (Samples A and B) have less manufacturing defects than the pouched products manufactured with the wetlaid material not according to the invention (Sample D). The results are even more improved when the wetlaid material comprises viscose fibers (Sample B). The costeffectiveness of the pouched products of the present invention is improved.

Claims

Claims

1. A wetlaid material comprising:- at least 65 wt % of cellulose fibers;- from 10 to 30 wt % of thermoplastic fibers;- from 0.05 to 4 wt % of a consolidation agent comprising carboxylic groups, and- from 0.3 to 1 wt % of a wet strength agent, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material and wherein said wetlaid material is saliva-permeable.

2. The wetlaid material according to claim 1 wherein the wetlaid material further comprises from 1 to 10 wt % of regenerated cellulose fibers, based on a wt % of a total weight of solid of said wetlaid material.

3. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the basis weight of the wetlaid material is from 14 to 30 g / m2.

4. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the thickness of the wetlaid material is from 45 to 100 pm.

5. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the air permeability of the wetlaid material is from 1000 to 50000 CORESTA Unit.

6. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the melting point of the thermoplastic fibers is from 100°C to 230°C.

7. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the thermoplastic fibers are biobased.

8. The wetlaid material according to claim 7, wherein the biobased thermoplastic fibers are polybutylene succinate fibers, polylactic acid fibers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) fibers, poly(3- hydroxyvalerate) fibers, poly(5-hydroxyvalerate) fibers or mixtures thereof.

9. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the consolidation agent comprising a carboxylic group is a carboxylated polysaccharide.

10. The wetlaid material according to claim 9, wherein the carboxylated polysaccharide is a carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl starch, carboxymethyl chitosan, hemicellulose, carboxymethyl dextran, carboxymethyl pullulan or mixtures thereof.

11. The wetlaid material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wet strength agent is polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin, polyacrylamide, melamine-formaldehyde, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine, a starch derivative, a lignin derivative, a chitosan derivative or mixtures thereof.

12. A pouched product comprising:- a pouch made of a wetlaid material as defined in any one of the preceding claims with aninner volume, and- a composition contained in the inner volume of the pouch.

13. The pouched product according to claim 12, wherein the composition is a tobacco- derived product, a particulate material containing an active ingredient, a reconstituted plant sheet containing an active ingredient, cellulose containing an active ingredient, a cellulose derivative containing an active ingredient or mixtures thereof.

14. The pouched product according to claim 13, wherein the active ingredient is nicotine, cannabinoids, an antiaging ingredient, a stress / anxiety managing ingredient, a sleep managing ingredient, an immunity boosting ingredient, an energy boosting ingredient, a cognitive health ingredient, a sexual wellbeing ingredient, a digestion helping ingredient, an allergy handling ingredient or mixtures thereof.

15. A method for manufacturing a wetlaid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising the step of wet-laying a mixture comprising cellulose fibers, thermoplastic fibers, the consolidation agent, the wet strength agent and optionally regenerated cellulose fibers.

16. A method for manufacturing a pouched product as defined in any of claims 12 to 14 comprising the following steps: a) providing a tube made of a wetlaid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 wrapping a composition between two open ends thereof, and b) sealing the open end(s) of the tube to manufacture the pouched product.

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