Linerboard Weights Continue to Drop Sept. 16, 2016
(Alexandria, USA, Sept. 16, 2017) Right weighting of corrugated is happening every day. Some combiners and converters have discovered containerboards, more effective corrugators, converting equipment with less degradation, and improved designs to produce the “same” carton with less basis weight.
Not everyone is on this adventure, but those who have led the charge have been reaping the rewards. While these newer containerboards are not necessarily for conventional applications such as industrial packaging, food applications, or U.N. hazmat packaging, there are open opportunities every day.
In 1991, when the industry made the move to include edge crush tests as an alternative measure for shipping containers, more than 50 percent of all linerboard production was 42# linerboard. Then, most of the production was virgin kraft pulp. Now, 42# linerboard, both recycled and kraft combined, represent less than 30 percent of all linerboard production. The whole scale of linerboard production has shifted down (see chart). Now, 13.5 percent — or about 2.8 million tons — of linerboard are at 32#/MSF or below.
The full story is available on Association of Independent Corrugated Converters’ (AICC) website:
www.aiccboxscore.org/2016/08/linerboard-weights-continue-to-drop (Source: Association of Independent Corrugated Converters’ (AICC))
Pictured Above: Greenpac Linerboard Mill
