Experimental investigation of the de-inking of recycled newspaper using plastic particles

The effect of the type of plastic particles, its average diameter, and its total surface area on the de-inking of recycled newspaper was investigated. It was found that plastics vary in their ability to remove ink. Among the various types of plastics examined, low density polyethylene (QAPCO) was found to have the largest capacity of ink removal. Ink removal versus plastic particle size was found to go through a maximum. Studying the effect of the total surface area of plastic particles on de-inking shows that a limiting surface area exists above which no more ink can be separated.