CPM Premium – a new look at the efficiency of corrugated production

Over the past decades, all over the world there has been a replacement of pulp-fiber containerboard with cardboard from waste paper. This is a reasonable trend, given the rising cost of pulp and its scarcity, as well as the environmental damage caused by its production.
However, it is much more difficult to produce high quality testliner and fluting from recycled paper than from pulp. This requires vast experience and years of technological research. We provide our customers with exceptionally high-quality recycled containerboard, which is as good as kraftliner in terms of key parameters. We know what is needed for the successful business of our partners – corrugated packaging manufacturers

What is high quality containerboard?

To be considered high quality, containerboard must have the following features:

  • High physical and mechanical properties -> reduction in corrugated cardboard weight -> reduction in the cost of production of 1 square meter
  • High processing speed -> obtaining maximum productivity on modern corrugators
  • No buckling on the corrugator -> reduction of losses from manufacturing defects

Compliance with these parameters can be quantified using two criteria:

  • The level of values ​​of physical and mechanical indicators (SCT-CD index, CMT, BST)
  • High level of stability of indicators. The stability of indicators determines the “manufacturability” of containerboard and directly affects the speed of processing at the corrugator and the percentage of losses from manufacturing defects.

One of the main indicators describing the strength characteristics of corrugated boxes is BCT (Box Crush Test). This value is derived from the ECT (Edge Crush Test) which is determined by the SCT-CD (Short Compression Test – kN/m) values of the liner and flute used. To determine the containerboard grade, the SCT-CD Index (kN*m/kg) is used, considering the grammage of containerboard. Thus, according to the CEPI classification, top liner 1 must have an SCT-CD Index of at least 17.5, and a Medium high performance fluting of at least 19. 

The manufacturability of container board allows to achieve high speeds of the corrugator and increase the stability of quality. There are two main indicators – the percentage of moisture variations and the percentage of variations in the mass of a square meter

Economic Benefits of Using High Quality Containerboard

Containerboard manufacturers sell by the ton, while corrugators charge buyers per square meter. Lower weight of a corrugated box of a given grade, fewer raw materials, less production costs – higher profits for the manufacturer.

SCT-CD are considered as important strength properties, while they are a good indicator of strength performance of a box, flexibility during converting and usage of the corrugated board.

To produce corrugated cardboard of a same grade, you can use containerboard with a high SCT-CD Index value, or with a lower value of SCT-CD Index, but with a significant increase in the mass per square meter. For example, if you replace the testliner and fluting with an SCT-CD Index of 17.5 with better ones with an SCT-CD index of 22, then in general you can get a savings in raw material weight of about 25%. 

In addition to direct savings on raw materials, you will benefit from cheaper transportation of corrugated packaging and lower storage costs for containerboard. Using high-tech containerboard will allow you to increase the amount of corrugated packaging produced, maximize profitability and reduce the unit of overhead costs per square meter.

Why CPM Premium?

According to the CEPI classification, the minimum SCT-CD Index for Testliner1 is 17.5, and Fluting HP is 19. Indeed, most containerboard produced in GCC region is at or below this level. For example, in the specifications for the products of the three largest containerboard manufacturers in GCC, the SCT-CD Index value for Testliner is 17, and for fluting 16.5. according to ISO9895 measurement method. According to CEPI, this only corresponds to Testliner2 and Fluting HP2 grade.

CPM Premium Testliner and CPM Premium Fluting have an exceptionally high SCT-CD Index of 22, which far exceeds even the requirements for pulp kraftliner by CEPI classification. CPM Premium is a real high-tech recycled containerboard with outstanding physical and mechanical characteristics and a very low level variability.

We are interested in the success of our partners. Our highly skilled technologists are ready to provide you with all possible support in adapting the settings of your equipment to work with maximum efficiency when using our containerboard. We always offer to carry out joint test runs on your corrugator to improve the technological proc