Hansol Paper announced on the 9th that its microplastics-free release paper for stickers, 'CCK (Clay Coated Kraft),' will be introduced to the Korean language textbooks for all grades in elementary school.
Release paper is the paper used on the back of stickers (the side that is peeled off), which typically uses polyethylene (PE) coating, a type of plastic, to create a smooth surface. However, this method has the drawback of potentially generating microplastics after use and being difficult to recycle.
Hansol Paper's CCK uses clay coating instead of PE coating, achieving sufficient smoothness for use as sticker release paper, and it is a product that poses no concerns about microplastics and can be separated and recycled with paper waste.
This product was first applied in the 1st semester Korean language textbook for 4th grade published by MiraeN, the largest publisher of government textbooks in Korea, and due to its excellent environmental and functional performance, it is expected to be expanded to all grades of Korean language textbooks beginning in the 2nd semester.
Although the part where CCK is applied is only about 3 to 5 pages per book, due to the nature of stickers, it can help with children's sensory development and stimulate interest in learning, and it has been evaluated to have a positive impact on learning effectiveness and immersion.
A representative from Hansol Paper said, “As social concerns about microplastics have increased, the demand from parents for safe products is continuously rising,” and noted, “We expect that this application to textbooks could also be expanded to various reference books and educational materials.”