Furthermore, such a transparent standard, adapted to the material, also respects all its specific qualities . Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Typical analog range is 0-10% moisture and up to as much as 40%, subject to . Wrong! The new national standard states that the moisture content of the paper should not be above 14%, which means that the paperboard has an . Excessive moisture or water can soften or dissolve the corrugating adhesive, causing delamination; a box that literally falls apart wont offer much protection. As much as can be said about the benefits of using mechanical means to get corrugated in and out of storage, there are times when corrugated is handled manually, for example, a worker carrying a bundle (perhaps held together by plastic straps). Optical/ Laser measuring device: Bahmller In establishing practices meant to assure that corrugated is fit for its intended purposes, the guidelines are, Keep out of reach of hazardous conditions, and, Handle with care., _____________________________________________________________________________________________, Sterling Anthony is a consultant, specializing in the strategic use of marketing, logistics, and packaging. Moisture Content testing measures the moisture content currently contained in corrugated board. Continue your learning with a deeper dive into our standards, chapter by-chapter, individually or as a team. BRC/IOP, MCAS) and therefore multi-audits are superfluous. As much as 11% of unit loads arriving at a distribution center have some level of case damage. Storing & Handling Guidelines - Corrugated & Cardboard Box Incredibly, it has been found that improper palletization can result in boxes losing up to 50% of their compression strength! This situation can be much like a double-edged sword. Corrugate is 71% weaker at 95% humidity vs. 50% humidity. Thats bad under all circumstances but worse when the corrugated serves as a retail unit, sold from shelves or from pallets. It is useful and instructive for box design considerations to quantify the expected strength loss as a function of the equilibrated moisture content of corrugated board and so minimize box failure in high humidity . Molded fiber A complete line of innovative fiber-based solutions that protect your products. The heartbreak of gaposis frequently threatens case integrity. Another option would be to use corrugated pallet liners to cover the bottom of the pallet (pallet deck) to make it a solid surface. Most plants are now checking their combined board's total moisture content, measuring it off of the dry end of the corrugator with an automatic weighing and drying oven (see Special Note). Returning to the 95% statistic that opened this article, its division among the versions of corrugated might vary; however, corrugated, as an overall category, will retain its dominance. Its important to monitor whether the recommended pre-stretchage is being adhered to in the process. Paper and Paperboard: Material-Specific Data | US EPA In this free ebook, learn how to leverage the strengths of each generation in your packaging department. Whereas too much moisture is problematic, so too is too little. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of aluminum containers and packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Check out our Frequent Questions page. It combines loading pallets straight and turned. Learn about the development and implementation of standardized performance measures. In other words, this cannot be a needle in a haystack approach. Sources: American Chemistry Council and National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). Source: American Forest and Paper Association. <> In general it is observed in paper, corrugated sheet board and boxes that have optimum combined properties are obtained at moisture content level at 7-8% and hence moisture content of 7-8% may be the ideal value for corrugated sheet paper used in corrugated packaging industry. Whether the unit load is columnar or interlocking, whats desired is that the boxes stack in aligned fashion, something made less probable by boxes that are out-of-square. The degree of moisture resistance varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and also depends on the conditions where the boxes will be used. Recycling of aluminum beverage cans was 670,000 tons, or 50.4 percent of generation in 2018. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. This web page provides an overview of data on containers and packaging in municipal solid waste (MSW). Moisture Content Testing | Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design Functionally, corrugated becomes brittle and crinkly. annual review). Gene Bodenheimer, senior vice president, retail logistics damage research at Genco,leads the companys team responsible for investigating solutions for unsaleable products as well assupply chain solutions within Genco's retail vertical. If your boxes are crushing while stacked in your facility, or if you are planning to send product to areas where high humidity is prevalent, please contact us and allow FlexPAC to help you find the right solutions to your problems. Water is used in the corrugated board production and aids in creating the liner board, forming the flute structure, and as part of the starch adhesive that combines them. The stacking of unit loads saves space; however, some type of flat cover should be placed on the top of a unit load in order to evenly distribute the superimposed weight. Sources: USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Were all familiar with how easily paper can soak up liquids. The new national standard "corrugated board" GB/T6544-2008 stipulates that the moisture content of paperboard should be no more than 14%, that is, an upper limit for the moisture content of cardboard. If no, please comment on how we could improve this response. By not making a selection you will be agreeing to the use of our cookies. Keywords: Relative humidity, Moisture, Scumming, Ink peeling, Crisp, Temperature, Flute, Liner, Curling. Corrugated should be stored on pallets, ideally, which avoids direct contact with the floor and retains the means for mechanical handling (caution: forklifts, if operated carelessly, can damage corrugated). Yet other factors outside the transportation and handling of these products contribute to damages. Editorial changes only: Format changes only. Aluminum recycling represents aluminum cans only. In 2018, approximately 32.1 million tons of corrugated boxes were recycled out of 33.9 million tons of total paper and paperboard recycling. How to Prevent Moisture in Sea Containers | Center for Packaging and Restated: what can compromise virgin corrugated can compromise recycled-content corrugated more easily. Pallets should be of quality construction; otherwise, splinters, protruding nails, and other defects can inflict damage. Nondurable goods include products such as office papers, newspapers, tissue paper, and paper plates and cups. The total amount of paper and paperboard combusted in 2018was 4.2million tons. Check out our Frequent Questions page. And unfortunately, humidity is one factor that cannot always be controlled. Too much moisture can lead to weakened cellulose fibers, delamination, and weakened glue bonds. To put it another way, dont treat damage research like an Easter egg hunt. A key element of this strategy is a root cause analysis, which reveals the where, what, why aspects of product damage, setting the stage for impactful, money-saving improvements throughout the supply chain. Much as it would be convenient to attribute dents, rips, and punctures to the products themselves, the inconvenient truth is the supply chain is an imperfect mover. Pinwheeling helps to more fully utilize the space in a trailer or container when there is inadequate width to permit loading two turned pallets side by side. The boxes provide the intended protection against damage, leakage or other loss. Aesthetically, corrugated takes on a faded, dried-out appearance, even through kraft-brown liners. Wood packaging includes mostly wood pallets, as well as wood crates. In addition to the structural design discussed in this article, printed bar codes, labels, and graphic . This may require storage away from doorways that are opened frequently. We know, boxes are not rocket science. Looking for other information? Corrugated cardboard boxes are no exception. Registered in England and Wales. PDF Effect of Environmental Conditions on Performance of Corrugated Sheet Less-than-ideal or fluctuating conditions reduce their effectiveness and shorten their useful life. Packaging products are comprised of different plastic resins. We should do our best to keep boxes relatively dry because humidity can have a huge impact on their performance. stream Heat can also reduce the moisture content of corrugated boxes, making them brittle. With the landscape of product damage defined, the path toward improvement must start with a robust system that helps pinpoint where efforts need to be focused. Ensure that pallets are free of nails, large splinters, and other sharp objects that can damage corrugated boxes. Corrugated boxes stored under ideal conditions will remain usable for a long period of time. Typical accuracy is about 0.1% moisture. Less-than-ideal or fluctuating climate conditions reduce corrugate effectiveness and shorten its useful life. Ultimate Guide to Corrugated Boxes: Corrugated Packaging 101 (2023) endobj Pallets made with green wood can have a moisture content (MC) ranging from 50-100% and can easily contain more than ten pounds of water. Avoid stacking boxes too high, whether loose or banded, because of slight instability. The converting machines play a major role in obtaining the required quality level of the finished products. Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap or pallet wrap, is one of the most popular unitization materials on the market. Corrugated packaging Custom solutions made from renewable resources that protect and promote your goods. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. And just where do you start? The most common culprit of compression-loss is boxes hanging over the edge of the pallet. 19-0 . Use good materials handling procedures; dont drop or throw bundles or pallet. Berry et al., 2019; Peleg, 1993), and thus the value of EMC (equilibrium moisture content, kg/m 3 ) is estimated by using the PFP model as shown in Equation (15 Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report page, Paper and Paperboard Containers and Packaging. This can be done by using a stretch wrap machine, or by simply spiral wrapping the load by hand. A very small percentagetypically less than 1%of the products within the cartons are damaged. Stack boxes only on smooth, clean surfaces. Mitigating packaging damage in the supply chain, Loop Industries, Garnier Recycle PET into rPET Bottles via Repolymerization, Street Art Designs Energize Jolly Rancher Gummies Packaging, Regulatory Agencies Medical Packaging Pros Should Know, Breaking News in Flexible Packaging April 2023, Looking Through the Recycling Lens for Sustainable Packaging, Packaging Operations Can Make Practical Use of Industry 4.0. The results clearly indicated that 8-12% moisture content is most suitable for corrugated board need to taken into consideration by manufacturers as well as printers. This was 11.8percent of MSW landfilled in 2018. Toll-free: 800-283-0097 | Find the exact resources you need to succeed in your accreditation journey. All rights reserved. The FEFCO GMP standard was launched at the end of 2003, renewed in 2006, to ensure that corrugated boxes meet all the requirements of quality, safety and hygiene. The boxes they need for shipping represent, on average, less than 1% of the value of their contents. First, its important to ensure compatibility between the film used and the stretch-wrap machinery. The FEFCO GMP standard was launched at the end of 2003, renewed in 2006, to ensure that corrugated boxes meet all the requirements of quality, safety and hygiene. Ideally, store your boxes in a cool place. Learn how working with the Joint Commission benefits your organization and community. This can negatively impact the corrugated materials moisture content and the effectiveness of the glue used in manufacturing. FEFCO has updated the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) document in March 2020. Containers that are contaminated should be removed based upon the cleanliness requirements of the storage area. Remember, without the lowly corrugated box, the product cannot be shipped! This too can cause significant compression losses in the unit load. Solid fiber Offering versatility and durability, solid fiber is designed to be stronger and more moisture resistant than corrugated packaging. Alternate bundle direction, or alternate loose boxes at intervals for greater stability. Find evidence-based sources on preventing infections in clinical settings. x=Fr?n[A]8)J$e;C`Dr6+W].yz}uw\|n=o+1WLyVY)Ww|n{_|zhz In honour of #EarthDay, our amazing team shared 'One Thing I Do For Earth Day'. Seas the day with our quick guide to corrugated seafood shippers! Cardboard too much water, will affect its normal use. View them by specific areas by clicking here. Overall, the amount of recycled plastic containers and packaging in 2018 was almost 2 million tons or 13.6 percent of plastic containers and packaging generated. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. The ideal temperature and humidity are 72 F, 50% RH1. <> Corrugated box design is the process of matching design factors for corrugated fiberboard boxes with the functional physical, processing and end-use requirements. There are those owing to dimensional changes: the corrugated absorbs moisture causing it to swell, warp, or distort to whatever degree. Its fair to say that billions of productsall types, all sizes, all purposesmake the trip from the manufacturing plant to a distribution center to a retail store. EPA used data on resin sales from the American Chemistry Council to estimate the generation of plastic containers and packaging in 2018. The main purpose of packaging is to provide protection for products. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of paper and paperboard generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. You could also 'mist' your boxes with a spray to keep them slightly moist when folding them. Heat and humidity are the two biggest enemies of packaging strength. What is The Joint Commission's position on managing cardboard or corrugated boxes and shipping containers? The moisture content of corrugated materials prefers a state of equilibrium with atmospheric humidity. it meets the requirements of EU Regulation 1935/2004/EG and EU Regulation 2023/2006 concerning the GMP implementation during the manufacturing of packaging intended for food from corrugated board. The Joint Commission, (April 2019) Clarifying Infection Control Policy Requirements, This page was last updated on November 30, 2021. Workers have a couple options. Regardless of the percent of recycled content, the resulting corrugated is not as strong as its counterpart comprised of virgin material. Water is used in the corrugated board production and aids in creating the liner board, forming the flute structure, and as part of the starch adhesive that combines them. For more comprehensive information on this category of MSW, see the 2018 Data Tables on the Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report page. Kiln dried pallets have a much lower moisture content (~19%), and they will not release moisture when shipped because this MC is below the EMC in sea containers. No changes to content. shippers) accounting for the overwhelmingly majority of that volume. This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation, providing feedback, analyzing your use of our products and services, assisting with our promotional and marketing efforts, and provide content from third parties. EPA estimated that the generation of these glass containers was 9.8 million tons in 2018, or 3.3percent of MSW generation. In our latest case study, learn about NION Health's revolutionary "negative ion" supplement and how their luxurious NION Health has the distinction and the challenge of being the first of its kind on the market as producers of the first safely Upgrade your product's packaging game with GLBC's custom solutions. Before putting together a plan, lets examine how product damage occurs and some questions to ponder. EPA used statistics from the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) to estimate post-consumer paper and paperboard generation in 2018. Mitigating packaging damage in the supply chain Some of these include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink and water bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk and water jugs, film products (including bags and sacks) made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and other containers and packaging (including clamshells, trays, caps, lids, egg cartons, loose fill, produce baskets, coatings and closures) made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and other resins. The result is known as moisture resistant adhesive (MRA). Higher humidity levels can drastically affect corrugate strength. How can we arrive at the optimal packaging solutions that strike the right balance between cost, environmental impact, and safety, while allocating costs appropriately?