Why industrial cardboard is changing Company Logistics

Although we tend to think of cardboard as a simple material, its versatility and strength have made it the basis for many advanced industrial packaging solutions.

Known as the ‘beige gold’, cardboard stands out for being lightweight, strong, customizable and environmentally friendly. These qualities have positioned it as a key material in industrial logistics, where high-performance packaging is required for land, air and sea transport.

To understand how cardboard is changing the logistics of companies, we must begin by explaining what corrugated cardboard is, what its quality depends on, and most importantly, how to choose the most suitable cardboard packaging for our shipments.

What is Corrugated Cardboard?

To begin with, corrugated cardboard is composed of several layers of paper on top of each other. Generally, it has a three-layer structure: two flat outer layers (liner) and a corrugated middle layer (flute).

This arrangement gives the cardboard its capacity for shock absorption and weight distribution. It is therefore ideal for protecting products and optimizing space in the transport of goods.

This structure has been perfected over the years, adapting to different industry needs. Today, there are cardboard solutions that can support significant weights, withstand shocks and protect even sensitive products. From the traditional American box, to boxes for dangerous goods or cardboard pallets, with exceptional density and that do not require ISPM15 phytosanitary certification.

Types of Industrial Cardboard

We can classify industrial cardboard according to the number of paper sheets that make it up. Bearing in mind that the outer smooth sheets are called faces or covers; the intermediate sheets, smooth faces; and finally, the corrugated sheets that form the carcasses; corrugated, gut or “medium”; would result:

The simple-face (single face – SF)

The simplest, consisting of a smooth sheet (one face) and a corrugated sheet, joined together with glue. It is used, for example, as reinforcement in packaging.

The double-sided (SW – Simple Wall)

Consists of two sides and a corrugated board. This type of cardboard is ideal for industrial packaging of medium-sized products, as well as for long transport times.

If a second single-side module is added to the double-side, it constitutes the so-called double-double (DD).

Similarly, a triple corrugated results from a double-double with a third single-side. This type of cardboard is ideal in industrial packaging for heavy equipment and for long transport times. It is therefore preferred by companies shipping internationally by sea or air, where the risks of movement and compression are high.

On the other hand, we can classify corrugated cardboard according to its thickness, with different letters. The most common are:

The greater the thickness, the greater the cushioning capacity. This makes the board easier to stack.

Industrial board properties

The thickness and number of layers of industrial cardboard determine its level of strength and flexibility, adapting to the different packaging needs demanded by industry:

Compression Resistance

One of the most important properties of industrial cardboard is its ability to withstand vertical compression. This is because the corrugated structure distributes the force across the layers, preventing them from being crushed by the weight of other products. This property is critical for shipping in containers, where goods are often stacked.

Absorbs shock and vibration

Similarly, the board structure itself acts as a cushion, reducing the impact of drops and absorbing jolts during transit.

Lightweight and economical

Despite its strength, industrial paperboard is very light. This gives it an added advantage as it does not add significant weight to the final packaging or additional transportation costs.

Which box solution is best for my goods?

In summary, the most commonly used parameters to determine the type of board to use are:

• Consistency (ECT – Edge Crush Test).

• Vertical compression resistance (BCT – Box Compression Test).

As we have seen, this is the most important parameter, since it indicates the weight that a box will be able to support when subjected to a stacking load.

Taking both into account, it is possible to design cardboard packaging solutions for different industries and in a wide range of sizes. The most common are:

Cardboard pallets

The cardboard pallet has a stacking strength similar to that of a wooden pallet and can carry loads of more than 1,200 kilograms. It is also much lighter than wood or plastic pallets. It is primarily used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Pallet Box

When the nature of the load requires a folding solution of greater resistance, we can opt for the pallet box, a mixed packaging. In the pallet box, the cardboard box is reinforced with wooden slats on the bottom and sides to facilitate storage and picking.

Its main advantage, however, is its compatibility with standardized European and American palletizing systems, and since it is certified with the ISPM-15 phytosanitary seal, it is ideal for export.

At 360 Eco Packaging, we believe that cardboard will continue to be a fundamental pillar in the supply chain. We dedicate all our experience and know-how to develop new customized industrial packaging solutions, guaranteeing quality and safety. Contact us today!