Abstract

In recent years, constantly changing global conditions and the increasing use of digital media have significantly impacted the printing industry, causing almost a complete transformation in this field. Newspaper circulations are declining, a trend substantially accelerated by the pandemic. On the other hand, the demand for paper or cardboard packaging increased during the pandemic, showing a promising future. The largest and fastest-growing market for corrugated cardboard is China, with its rapidly growing middle class and ecommerce giants. Prices of wood fibers, the primary raw material for paper production, have risen in recent years. This is due to various factors such as environmental regulations and so on. Rising energy prices have significantly contributed to the increase in production costs. Due to the rising prices of wood fibers, the APPLAUSE project was initiated, where papers and cardboards were made from invasive alien plants: Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), as well as waste tomato stems (Solanum lycopersicum). All produced materials were also practically tested with various prototype products.”