SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING 101: UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAPERBOARD OPTIONS
In today’s rapidly evolving packaging industry, material choice goes beyond mere production—it’s a strategic decision impacting brand identity, sustainability goals, and product performance. Among the spectrum of paperboard options, three stand out for their distinctive properties: Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS), Folding Box Board (FBB), and Solid Unbleached Board (SUB). Each offers a unique balance of strength, printability, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. This guide explores their characteristics, applications, and trade-offs while highlighting emerging alternatives in the paperboard landscape.
SOLID BLEACHED SULPHATE (SBS): THE EPITOME OF PURITY AND PRINTABILITY
SBS, or Solid Bleached Board (SBB), is manufactured from 100% virgin bleached chemical pulp, resulting in a bright white, ultra-smooth surface perfect for high-resolution printing. Its flawless finish accommodates sophisticated embellishments like embossing, foil stamping, and spot varnishes. The material’s inherent hygiene makes it ideal for sensitive applications, and it’s typically available in coated one-side (C1S) or both sides (C2S) variants, with weights ranging from 150 to 400+ GSM for versatility across packaging formats.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
SBS dominates premium packaging sectors where aesthetics are paramount. It’s the go-to material for luxury cosmetic cartons, high-end chocolate boxes, and pharmaceutical blister packs, where its pristine white base enhances brand perception. The board also excels in greeting cards, premium stationery, and high-value retail packaging, where tactile and visual appeal directly influence purchasing decisions.
ADVANTAGES
SBS delivers unparalleled visual sophistication, offering brands a blank canvas for vibrant colors and intricate designs. Its smooth surface ensures consistent print results, while its compatibility with advanced finishing techniques allows for creative differentiation. As a virgin fiber product, it meets strict hygiene standards for food and medical packaging without compromising on shelf impact.
CHALLENGES
The premium qualities of SBS come at a cost—literally. It’s pricier than recycled or mixed-material boards, which may deter budget-conscious projects. While its surface is perfect for printing, it lacks the inherent stiffness of FBB or SUB, making it less suitable for structural applications requiring rigid support.
FOLDING BOX BOARD (FBB): BALANCING STRENGTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
FBB strikes a strategic balance through its multi-layer construction: a mechanical pulp core sandwiched between bleached chemical pulp outer layers. This architecture provides exceptional stiffness relative to weight, while the bleached top layer ensures strong printability. The reverse side typically has a creamy hue, and weights span 150–400 GSM, with options for coated or uncoated finishes depending on application needs.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
FBB’s versatility shines across mass-market packaging. It’s widely used for cereal boxes, frozen food cartons, and pharmaceutical secondary packaging, where structural integrity matters. The board also appears in cosmetic cartons, beverage multipacks, and retail displays, offering a cost-effective middle ground between premium SBS and utilitarian SUB.
ADVANTAGES
FBB’s lightweight yet rigid structure reduces shipping costs while protecting contents. The bleached outer layers support vibrant graphics, and its mixed pulp composition makes it more sustainable than pure virgin fiber boards. Manufacturers appreciate its high yield per ton, optimizing material usage without sacrificing performance.
CHALLENGES
While FBB is more affordable than SBS, its off-white interior and slightly rougher texture lack the premium feel of bleached boards. The mechanical pulp core can also absorb moisture more readily, requiring additional barriers for humid environments. Brands targeting luxury markets may find it visually underwhelming compared to SBS.
SOLID UNBLEACHED BOARD (SUB): THE DURABLE AND ECOCONSCIOUS CHOICE
SUB (or Coated Unbleached Kraft, CUK) is crafted from unbleached chemical pulp, giving it a natural brown color that telegraphs eco-consciousness. The board boasts superior tear resistance and wet strength, often incorporating recycled content. Available in 175–450 GSM, it can be coated for improved printability or left uncoated for a raw, sustainable aesthetic.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
SUB thrives in heavy-duty and industrial packaging. It’s the material of choice for beverage carriers, detergent boxes, and toy packaging, where durability is critical. Its moisture resistance makes it ideal for chemical product containers, while brands leveraging “natural” branding use it for organic food packaging and eco-friendly retail boxes.
ADVANTAGES
SUB’s kraft brown appearance aligns with sustainability narratives, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Its recycled content options support circular economy goals, while its structural strength outperforms bleached boards in demanding supply chains. The board also resists grease and moisture, reducing the need for additional laminates.
CHALLENGES
The natural color limits vibrant printing; dark hues and metallics may require opaque undercoating. While rugged, SUB’s industrial look isn’t suited for luxury markets unless intentionally leveraged for rustic branding. Brands must also verify coating compatibility if high-end graphics are needed.
What truly differentiates these substrates, beyond their material composition, is how they align with a brand’s specific needs. SBS brings unmatched purity and visual appeal, making it indispensable in luxury segments.
The future of paperboard is undoubtedly multi-faceted. Innovation continues in areas like barrier coatings, lightweight structures, and fibre recovery. With this evolving landscape, it’s not about choosing the “best” paperboard, but rather selecting the right one. At Coniferous, we help navigate these choices, ensuring your packaging aligns with your product’s needs, values, and market positioning.