acceptable moisture content in corrugated boxes
However, once the corrugated is manufactured, moisture regulation is critical, so the corrugated board is dried to achieve a moisture content of 10-12% to optimize it for strength and prevent box manufacturing issues, such as: Maintaining the moisture content of the corrugated box plays a critical role in its performance. Not only do you need to provide strong, durable corrugated boxes that can withstand drops and movement during transportation, but they must also be able to withstand various weather conditions including snow and rain. Store boxes flat from the time they are received until they are ready for use. By not making a selection you will be agreeing to the use of our cookies. The boxes they need for shipping represent, on average, less than 1% of the value of their contents. The ideal temperature and humidity are 72 F, 50% RH1. That way, the oldest inventory is used rather than remaining around and becoming more compromised. <>/XObject<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 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. They also provide sales and marketing benefits. Corrugated boxes stored under ideal conditions will remain usable for a long period of time. The result is known as moisture resistant adhesive (MRA). Check out our self-paced learning resources and tools including books, accreditation manuals and newsletters. EPA based its generation estimates on data supplied by the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI). In very humid environments, such as a warehouse with an uncontrolled climate in the summertime, stacking strength is greatly reduced. High-humidity conditions can weaken the adhesive that bonds the fluted medium to the liners, enough, in fact, that the corrugated can delaminate. This too can cause significant compression losses in the unit load. While the recycling of corrugated boxes is by far the largest component of paper packaging recycling, smaller amounts of other paper packaging products also enter the recycling stream (estimated at about 1.8 million tons in 2018). View them by specific areas by clicking here. The purpose is to ensure that from the purchase of raw material through the delivery of the finished product to the customers' premises, all parameters of quality, hygiene and traceability are monitored. Higher humidity levels can drastically affect corrugate strength. Wandering around hoping to find treasuresor in this case, problemsisnt a strategy when so much money is on the line. Damage to. 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. Containers and packaging include products such as corrugated boxes, milk cartons, and bags and sacks (See the definitions of nondurable goods and containers and packaging for more information). If no, please comment on how we could improve this response. Manual operations are slowed and automated case erectors are jammed. Improper and fluctuations in relative humidity can be seen in: These can result in the box structure breaking down, leading to a reduction in strength and, eventually, failure. Despite its repetitive nature, this exercise presupposes a certain level of risk for product damage. Sources: USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Loading decisions must seek to balance productivity, safety, transportation and equipment costs, and product protection. You may also want to look at reconfiguring the box dimensions to fit the pallet. In this free ebook, learn how to leverage the strengths of each generation in your packaging department. A dash in the table means that data is not available. 1. Source: Paper and Paperboard information is from the American Forest & Paper Association. All rights reserved. We help you measure, assess and improve your performance. Boxes under stress from a load, such as stacked on a pallet, are even further impacted by increased humidity. EPA used data on resin sales from the American Chemistry Council to estimate the generation of plastic containers and packaging in 2018. Palletizing boxes so that they are columnar, or vertically stacked (stacking one box directly on top of the other) is the preferred method. FEFCO has updated the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) document in March 2020. Conveying, Feeding, and Handling Playbook, Packaging World News Roundup: Bottles and Cans, Packaging World News Roundup: Co-Packing and Manufacturing, Packaging World News Roundup: Contract Packaging. The type of dunnage selected depends on the type of shipment and the other packaging materials being used, as well as convenience and price. Before putting together a plan to reduce package damage during distribution and transportation through the supply chain, you need to examine how damage occurs and ponder these questions. Find evidence-based sources on preventing infections in clinical settings. Corrugated cardboard boxes are no exception. Optical/ Laser measuring device: Bahmller FEFCO members can download the document here OR please contact FEFCO at Houriet.lefebvre@fefco.org At FlexPAC, we take a customer-first approach through creative insights and data collection to create turnkey solutions in the areas of packaging products, package design, facility equipment & products, safety equipment, and training. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Other paper and paperboard packaging in MSW includes milk and juice cartons and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons, folding cartons (e.g., cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, some department store boxes), bags and sacks, wrapping papers, and other paper and paperboard packaging (primarily set-up boxes such as shoe, cosmetic and candy boxes). The tear-resistant qualities of corrugated cardboard are hard to beat and they have the added advantage of guarding against moisture, so food items are kept fresh. The moisture content of corrugated materials prefers a state of equilibrium with atmospheric humidity. endobj Wrong! 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. This was 11.8percent of MSW landfilled in 2018. Box 43176; Detroit, MI 48243; 313-531-1875 office; 313-531-1972 fax; sterlinganthony1@sbcglobal.net; www.pkgconsultant. But are they cognizant of the tremendous cost and waste that result from this practice? Paperboards were subjected to WVTR test for 7 days at 22C temperature, 55% humidity and 42C temperature, 85%humidity values using Thwing-Al-bert EZ-Cup Vapometer Permeability Cups. x[oH |EX,NC$NCw?R' -%k(;=! Can retailers really afford to do this? 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. In 2018, the estimated amount of generated wood pallets and other wood packaging was 11.5 million tons, totaling 3.9 percent of total MSW generation. endobj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> How can we arrive at the optimal packaging solutions that strike the right balance between cost, environmental impact, and safety, while allocating costs appropriately? Additionally, about 13 percent of the aluminum containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (52.1 percent) was landfilled. How to ensure your best conveying project yet. Wood packaging includes mostly wood pallets, as well as wood crates. 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 We also collaborate with our supply chain partners to develop the optimal packaging materials for your specific needs. Containers and packaging make up a major portion ofmunicipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018 (28.1 percent of total generation). Looking for other information? | 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. Moisture and temperature are important considerations when discussing the strength and longevity of corrugated boxes. PCR Content Popularity Gains on the Horizon, unPACKed podcast: MRFs & Flexible Packaging Need to Coexist, Food Lion Brand Demos Advanced Recycling-Based Circular System. NEW: Auditors need to renew certification documents every 5 years. If corrugated cardboard becomes wet, it becomes a source for bacterial growth. producers, packers or suppliers) are responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, and hygiene not only of food, but also of packaging. 1 0 obj In 2018, the recycling rate of generated packaging and containers was 53.9 percent. Cardboard too much water, will affect its normal use. Read our latest Playbook to discover how to ensure efficient product handling, best practices In very humid environments, such as a warehouse with an uncontrolled climate in the summertime, stacking strength is greatly reduced. Learn about the "gold standard" in quality. However, once the . The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of containers and packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Therefore, any discussion about improving the sustainability of production and consumption must always address packaging as an essential part of the supply chain. Approximately 46million tons of paper and paperboard were recycled in 2018for a recycling rate of 68.2percent, which was the highest compared to other materials in MSW. Acceptance Conditions and Procedure for Certifying Bodies, World standards - Comparison testing methods FEFCO / EN / ISO / TAPPI, FEFCO Technical Specifications for Converting Equipment_V1.2, The updated document is now available here, this plant can guarantee that the product delivered to the customer fulfils all. EPA also estimated the recycling of plastic products based on data published annually by the American Chemistry Council, as well as additional industry data. Get a deep dive into our standards, chapter-by-chapter, individually or as a team. Excessive moisture or water can soften or even dissolve the corrugating adhesive, causing delamination; a box that literally falls apart won't offer much protection. EPA defines containers and packaging as products that are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased. And unfortunately, humidity is one factor that cannot always be controlled. Pepsi and Fantas respective new visual identities are optimized for both analog, physical spaceslike packagingand for the online and digital worlds. For this analysis, EPA classified products made of paper and paperboard materials as either nondurable goods or as containers and packaging. EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of paper and paperboard products. % For example, at 50% relative humidity (RH) a corrugated box is at 80% of its potential stacking strength. This may be avoided by choosing pallets with deckboards that are strategically positioned so all of the vertical edges of the box (corners) are being supported. When building pallet loads of flat boxes, use deck boards to distribute weight evenly. Still have a question about the data? Is there a viable solution? Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. x=Fr?n[A]8)J$e;C`Dr6+W].yz}uw\|n=o+1WLyVY)Ww|n{_|zhz Phone: 317-872-0097 The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of plastic containers and packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. OW8lF0Bd9n?DL0C S\E vmi]L'E`f ur4Z{.+};pf K@i%LEwpX9hH In 2018, approximately 32.1 million tons of corrugated boxes were recycled out of 33.9 million tons of total paper and paperboard recycling. the moisture content of box board paper is (12 4)% moisture content is the moisture content in the paperboard, expressed in percentage, and the calculation formula is: moisture content = (original weight of sample - weight of sample after drying) 100% /original weight of sample Nondurable goods include products such as office papers, newspapers, tissue paper, and paper plates and cups. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Is this practical? The overall recycling rate for paper and paperboard packaging was 80.9 percent in 2018. The more in-depth information you uncover and the more precisely you can identify the sources of the issues, the better youll be able to develop and execute a corrective action plan. }]'YfN U zQnh)=nozo3gip&I|-5S|G~x?SAYY?\YX5~Z0oE8f6:34cw& XvZ-r) 4xB*vtlZsvq{ s8eSp|GcS*=hX f+*Pga!,#`~PT(9Ux]Ep|%P?>/+|xI 2$J[sASSt!X%PE$tC]a =J@5.F2` q p-"Aw;q^0rDNQNdS0Z"'Szt#c7Fz{DTm+p?iKB0)i:,3bJA41) Furthermore, such a transparent standard, adapted to the material, also respects all its specific qualities . Box users make major investments in the development, production and promotion of their products. In fact, up to 15% of compression strength may be destroyed. 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). Whenever possible, they should be handled only with tools like pallet jacks, forklifts and hand trucks rather than manually. 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). Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report page, Paper and Paperboard Containers and Packaging. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Some easy-to-overlook culprits are storage and handling practices. EPA estimated the generation of aluminum packaging at 1.9 million tons in 2018, or 0.7 percent of MSW generation. Seas the day with our quick guide to corrugated seafood shippers! 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. Corrugated is an engineered material, specified by paper grade, flute, style, manufacturers joint, and adhesivemainly. | for specifying conveyor and container handling equipment, and top tips for a successful pack Moisture not only affects corrugated functionally, it also diminishes the appearance of the container. CORRUGATED BOXES CS19.0.5 Issued: 2017AUG10 CORPORATE STANDARD File No. Engineering, however, does not solve every problem that can be encountered with corrugated. But is there an optimal balance between overpackaging and underpackaging? Better yet is to select a location close to where the corrugated is set up and filled. SRI also provided recycling data for steel containers and packaging. Types of changes and an explanation of change type: An official website of the United States government. Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap or pallet wrap, is one of the most popular unitization materials on the market. Pallets should be of quality construction; otherwise, splinters, protruding nails, and other defects can inflict damage. 0k2d% u:EN0xIueRf/#:{TM,IVV Uf=x(O'*X* %il _3DF=QF w(&TzSy%*ty{v9b Odt~lcgAUV\? Are incidence rates being observed, captured and tracked? Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. On the other hand, there is the potential for a significant amount of undamaged product being rejected. The generation of steel food cans and other cans, and other steel packaging (e.g., strapping, and steel barrels and drums), totaled 2.2 million tons in 2018 (0.8 percent of total MSW generation), with most of that amount representing cans for food products. This web page is a brief summary of paper and paperboard material-specific data. <> Still have a question about the data? Heat can reduce the moisture content of corrugated boxes, making them brittle. All rights reserved. annual review). Container and packaging products, especially corrugated boxes, are among frequently recycled products. Experience has demonstrated that a target moisture from 5.8 to 7.5% total combined board moisture works well throughout the year. Introduction Additionally, about five percent of the steel containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (21.2 percent) was landfilled. 4 0 obj At 85% RH, a box has 50% of its potential stacking strength. Nondurable goods made of paper, excluding newspapers, had a recycling rate of 43.1 percent, while newspapers had a recycling rate of 64.8 percent. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. This means that the cases are doing their job to protect whats inside. 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). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Moisture and temperature are important considerations when discussing the strength and longevity of corrugated boxes. Packaging is the product used to wrap or protect goods, including food, beverages, medications and cosmetic products. 4 Zesty Trends in Food and Beverage Packaging, 2023 Heralds Useful Ideas for Packaging Progress. That doesnt automatically mean that a company needs to go an energy-intensive route via ambient-control devices. We know, boxes are not rocket science. The degree of moisture resistance varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and also depends on the conditions where the boxes will be used. The heartbreak of gaposis frequently threatens case integrity. Restated: what can compromise virgin corrugated can compromise recycled-content corrugated more easily. (Plastic packaging as a category in this analysis does not include single-service plates and cups, and trash bags, both of which are classified as nondurable goods). Pallets should be of quality construction; otherwise, splinters, protruding nails, and other defects can inflict damage. endobj 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. In cool and dry areas, consider using lamination as a finish. On average, the figure is around 2%. Alternate bundle direction, or alternate loose boxes at intervals for greater stability. 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. The boxes are usable, and dont end up ready for recycling before they can fulfill their purpose; The boxes will run smoothly on automatic setup, filling and closing equipment, avoiding costly jam-ups, repacking and lost time; The boxes will stack squarely, avoiding costly accidents during palletization, storage and shipment; and. %PDF-1.5 endobj Over his 25-year career Bodenheimer has spoken on a wide variety of topics includingreverse logistics, health and beauty accessories and damage research. Less-than-ideal or fluctuating climate conditions reduce corrugate effectiveness and shorten its useful life. 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. This was 12.2 percent of all MSW combusted that year. The main purpose of packaging is to provide protection for products. Checkout our packaging and processing solutions finder, ProSource. Drive performance improvement using our new business intelligence tools. Simply stated, unusable boxes can result in unsold products. Logically, the more packaging there is, the more protection there should be. According to industry numbers, corrugated is utilized for 95% of packaged goods, with boxes (i.e. Another area to examine is the force-to-load measurement, or the amount (in lbs.) The solution here is to make sure you are using the proper pallet size or the proper palletizing pattern to avoid overhang. 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. To put it another way, dont treat damage research like an Easter egg hunt. The document was updated in 2019, the major change wasthe new TS 702 on Fishtailing & Gap variation. shippers) accounting for the overwhelmingly majority of that volume. Containers and packaging are used in the shipping, storage and protection of products. Stretch Wrapper + Film Cost and ROI Calculator, 6075 Lakeside Blvd Registered in England and Wales. His contact information is: 100 Renaissance Center- P.O. Incidentally, superimposed weight should be like-on-like, meaning, weights other than corrugated should not be superimposed on unit loads of corrugated. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Joint Commission, (April 2019) Clarifying Infection Control Policy Requirements, This page was last updated on November 30, 2021. The recycling rate for corrugated boxes was 96.5 percent. 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. Easy Way to Analyze Moisture Content of Corrugated Boxes During production of corrugated boards, manufacturers often face a unique problem caused by inaccurate control of moisture; if the moisture content of the corrugated box is higher, it may leads to collapsing of the box. Recycling data for other aluminum packaging categories were not available for 2018. Avoid stacking boxes too high, whether loose or banded, because of slight instability. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of wood packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. It is estimated that recycling of HDPE natural bottles (e.g., milk and water bottles) was 220,000 tons, or 29.3 percent of generation. He can be reached at[emailprotected]. 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. This web page contains product-specific information and data on Containers and Packaging. We have the experience to ask the right questions to ensure the boxes we provide you will meet your products needs and will remain structurally sound. Another set of problems relate to unitizing. What are some specific problems caused by moisture? At the single-facer, it is heated, moistened, and formed into a fluted pattern on geared wheels. And just where do you start? This can be done by using a stretch wrap machine, or by simply spiral wrapping the load by hand. stream Studies have shown that corrugated under a constant load with cycled moisture has experienced accelerated creep or deformation of the material, leading to premature box failure. A solution for avoiding direct contact with the floor and for avoiding superimposed weights is storage racks, especially if the facility already is so equipped. Gather the data you need to create insights that will help you reduce risk, increase efficiency, and improve performance across your organization. Carton box moisture control. Approximately 20.6 percent of the other miscellaneous packaging was combusted with energy recovery, while the majority was landfilled (79.4 percent). Access Packaging World's free educational content library! Editorial changes only: Format changes only. Additionally, the combustion of containers and packaging was 7.4 million tons (21.5 percent of total combustion with energy recovery) and landfills received 30.5 million tons (20.9 percent of total landfilling) in 2018. 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). In fact, its possible that damage waste has a greater adverse impact on the environment than the extra packaging itself. Implementing this GMP means having a total control system in place in each manufacturing plant. Stack boxes only on smooth, clean surfaces. 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. Easy Way to Analyze Moisture Content of Corrugated Boxes During production of corrugated boards, manufacturers often face a unique problem caused by inaccurate control of moisture; if the moisture content of the corrugated box is higher, it may leads to collapsing of the box. Leave the strapping, bundling or other unitizing device in place until boxes are ready for use. Once a box is formed, both before and after it is filled with product, maintaining its moisture content is critical to maintaining the boxs compression strength. 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. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Common sense dictates that old inventory be used before starting on the new. Get more information about cookies and how you can refuse them by clicking on the learn more button below. While having a certain amount of moisture in the air (around 6% 7%) will ensure proper creasing, avoid cracks, maintain good bending and impact resistance, as well as cushioning and shock absorption, higher humidity levels can actually have a negative impact on those characteristics of corrugated board that we value most.