Relative Humidity Effects on the Compression Strength of Corrugated Boxes Restated: what can compromise virgin corrugated can compromise recycled-content corrugated more easily. When a corrugated board is produced, the liners and fluted mediums are held together with a starch adhesive, typically food grade corn starch. Higher humidity levels can drastically affect corrugate strength. In cool and dry areas, consider using lamination as a finish. Our sensor calibrations, measurement wavelengths, algorithms and sensor optical requirements are pre-set at the factory. Source: American Forest and Paper Association. Those unit loads can be unstable and therefore hazardous, since they can collapse on their own and more probably under a superimposed load. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Heat and humidity are the two biggest enemies of packaging strength. 1 0 obj Official websites use .gov At 85% RH, a box has 50% of its potential stacking strength. Another area to examine is the force-to-load measurement, or the amount (in lbs.) The overall recycling rate for paper and paperboard packaging was 80.9 percent in 2018. Additionally, 16.9 percent of the plastic containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (over 69 percent) was landfilled. 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. Wandering around hoping to find treasuresor in this case, problemsisnt a strategy when so much money is on the line. When building pallet loads of flat boxes, use deck boards to distribute weight evenly. Check out our self-paced learning resources and tools including books, accreditation manuals and newsletters. How Environmental Conditions Impact Corrugated Boxes When it is impossible to avoid extremes or fluctuations, bring the boxes to the packing line or another area for a period of time to condition them to a more normal atmosphere before using them. Faced with the manufacturing-industry standard of a two-hour unload window or risk hefty detention charges, retailers frequently reject entire unit loads at the dockeven if only one or two cartons are damaged. Moisture Resistant Adhesives (MRA) of 0.5%-1.0% liquid resin (assuming 50% solids content) shall be used in the converting process for boxes manufactured in Europe, North America, and Australia. Simply stated, unusable boxes can result in unsold products. 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. Copyright 2022 FlexPAC Web Design by Roundpeg, To get all the tips on corrugated boxes, read our blog on, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). From travel distance to changes in road conditions and elevation, transportation can have wide-ranging effects on the level of product damage. Packaging is the product used to wrap or protect goods, including food, beverages, medications and cosmetic products. 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). Source: Paper and Paperboard information is from the American Forest & Paper Association. It reduces the chance of moisture damage as well as cracks and creases due to dryness.