Biodegradable Cigarette Paper Composition With Strength Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable cigarette paper when cigarettes are discarded is a significant issue, and existing solutions for biodegradable cigarette materials have limitations in terms of physical properties and performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of biodegradable cigarette paper made from polymers like polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), optionally with additives like calcium carbonate, which provides improved biodegradability, tensile strength, and adhesiveness, and is applied to smoking articles to enhance atomization when heated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used for cigarette paper, then environmental pollution is reduced, but physical properties such as tensile strength and adhesiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidtensile strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBAT) with natural fibers (cellophane, rayon, cotton, hemp, or flax). This composite structure allows the cigarette paper to maintain adequate mechanical strength while preserving biodegradability, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and physical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used for cigarette paper, then environmental pollution is reduced, but adhesiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of biodegradable polymers with natural fibers enhances adhesiveness through the inherent bonding properties of these materials. The natural fibers provide surface characteristics that improve adhesive attachment, while the polymer matrix ensures cohesive strength, together maintaining reliable adhesion in an environmentally friendly format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If conventional cigarette paper is used, then physical properties are maintained, but environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by selecting specific biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBAT) and natural fibers with controlled properties. By adjusting the composition ratios and processing parameters, the cigarette paper achieves physical properties comparable to conventional paper while being environmentally benign, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable cigarette paper is used, then biodegradability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves homogeneity by using materials with compatible processing characteristics. The biodegradable polymers and natural fibers are selected to have similar melting points, viscosity ranges, and processing temperatures, allowing them to be manufactured using conventional paper-making equipment without requiring complex specialized manufacturing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The biodegradable cigarette paper ensures rapid decomposition in composting conditions, reduces environmental pollution, and enhances the performance of smoking articles by improving tensile strength, adhesiveness, and atomization without compromising on printability and smoothness.

Implementation Method 1

the biodegradable cigarette paper may be completely decomposed after 200 days in composting conditions of a temperature of 58°C and humidity of 70%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

a smoking article to which biodegradable cigarette paper is applied, according to the present disclosure may increase the amount of atomization when heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3939442B1Smoking article comprising biodegradable cigarette paper
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3939442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3939442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a smoking article including biodegradable cigarette paper.