Waxpaper Sheets – Manufacturing Process | Chemical Components

The food processing business chooses the packaging material based on the needs of food products, taking into account elements such as strength, printability, processability, heat sealability, barrier qualities (oil, gas, and water), cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and legal requirements. 

Wax paper sheets are ordinary household and industrial products used mainly for food-related purposes. They offer a range of benefits, such as moisture resistance, non-stick properties, and a protective barrier for food storage and preparation due to their wax-coated surface. 

This article explores the manufacturing process of wax paper sheets, the chemical components involved, and the reasons behind their selection for this particular application. Let’s get started! 

What Are Wax Paper Sheets?

Waxed paper sheets are also named as wax paper, wax sheet or paraffin paper. It is very lightweight and thin paper. The top features of wax paper are stable, moisture-resistant and non-stick. Wax is naturally made from paraffin wax or soybean oil. The wax sheet prevents the food from sticking and keeps the items fresh. It is frequently used in food packaging, baking, cooking and storage. 

What is the Manufacturing Process of Wax Paper Sheets? 

The manufacturing process of dry wax paper sheets involves different steps that start from paper production to the coating process and then produce the final product. This paper is sustainable and best for the use of food purposes. Below is a guide to the entire manufacturing process.

Paper Production

The method of creating wax paper begins with the production of the base paper. Base paper is made from wood pulp, which is processed into kraft paper sheets through a traditional paper-making procedure. This involves the following procedure:

Wood Pulping: It is the process where wood is split into a fibrous mass. It can be used in making paper and other related products. Some chemicals that are used during the pulping process like neutral sulfite semi-chemical, sulfite, and soda.

Sheet Formation: In this phase, a flat sheet is used and the fibres are spread on the whole surface of the sheet. The quality of the paper depends on the pulp quality and fibre distribution. Finally, the paper is pressed to take out the excess water through large drying machines. 

Calendering: The dried paper is surpassed via rollers referred to as calendars, which smooth the floor and control the thickness of the paper. 

Wax Coating

Once the base paper is prepared, the next step involves the utility of wax to create the water-resistant and non-stick residue function of wax paper squares. The most generally used wax for this process is paraffin wax which is used through distinctive waxes like soybean wax and microcrystalline wax. Here’s how the wax is applied:

Melting the Wax: On a large scale, wax is melted through large heat-safe containers. To melt the wax, the required temperature is 120°C. So, the liquid wax is applied to the paper to create a thin layer of wax. Here are the three common methods of applying wax on custom food wrapping papers in a very smooth way. 

Roll Coating: In this technique, a roller is applied with the wax coating on the flat surface.  The rollers assist in applying a thin, even layer of wax to the paper.

Dipping: The paper sheets are dipped into a tub of melted wax, and extra wax is removed by allowing the paper to drip or by pressing it.

Drying and Cooling: After the wax is applied, the paper is passed via cooling chambers or conveyor belts. The wax hardens because it cools, bonding firmly to the paper floor. 

Cutting into Sheets

The third step is cutting where the large rolls of wax paper are cut into required size sheets. Large cutting machines cut the paper into the desired sizes demanded by the clients. The dimensions of the sheets range depending on the intended use, however, they may be regularly reduced into standardized sizes for meal carriers or patron packaging.

Packaging

Once the wax paper sheets are cut, they may be carefully stacked and packaged for shipment. The packaging procedure guarantees that the wax paper sheets stay intact and undamaged for the duration of the garage and transportation. The paper is usually stacked in rolls or sheets, and the final product is prepared for distribution to food producers, stores, or customers.

What Is The Chemical Composition Of Wax Paper Sheets? 

Many Chemicals are used in making wax paper roll sheets. Wax paper is typically made with different types of coatings. The choice of chemicals is necessary to ensure the utility of the wax paper, such as its moisture resistance, non-stick properties, and overall durability. The recyclable or compostable wax paper helps to meet your sustainability goals. Here is the chemical composition of wax paper sheets: 

Paraffin wax                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The main goal of paraffin wax is to create a wax layer on the paper. This wax is extracted from petroleum that has the properties to protect the food from moisture. It is best for meal packaging and garages. It is odourless, tasteless, and non-reactive. The reason why we use paraffin wax: 

• Non-toxicity
• Moisture Resistance
• Non-stick Properties

Soybean Wax

Soybean wax is extracted from soybeans. It is a herbal and plant-based wax. It is becoming more and more famous because of its green nature and renewable supply. Soybean wax has the properties of moisture resistance and non-stick capacity. It is a greater sustainable option for wax paper. Here are the reasons why we need to choose soybean wax for the food packaging: 

• Environmental Benefits
• Non-toxic and Safe
• Lower Melting Point

Microcrystalline Wax

It is a petroleum-based wax with a fine crystalline network. This wax helps in the production of wax paper because of its flexibility and higher resistance to cracking. Here is the reason why microcrystalline wax: 

• Flexibility
• Viscosity
• Oil retention
• Higher Melting Point

Final Thoughts! 

The production of wax paper sheets for restaurants involves a cautious and specific method of papermaking, wax coating, and cutting. Paraffin wax is used as a chemical for coating due to its non-toxicity, moisture resistance, and non-stick residues. 

Many options like soybean wax and microcrystalline wax offer precise benefits in terms of sustainability and versatility. By combining paper production with a specialised wax coating, wax paper turns into a versatile and critical tool in meal education, garages, and packaging.

Its effectiveness is a perfect chemical system used to create the wax coating, which ensures that the paper plays properly in diverse food-related packages.