Multiple Uses of Packaging Board

Packaging board is a very vague term used in the industry and externally to describe the segment. Packaging Board starts at 170 GSM and goes all the way to 1500 GSM! So through this series, we would like to inform you of the main grades prevailing as well as the uses of the same. 

Packaging grades are broadly classified into Virgin and Recycled grades. We aren’t going to be discussing Corrugated fibreboard, Kraft Liner or Test-liners, because these are part of another series that we will be touching upon! All packaging primarily is used for the protection and presentation of the product inside.

Packaging is never the product but is a part of the experience! If you are an Apple Fan or have used an Apple product in the past, you might have noticed that the box does not open easily. It takes more time for you to open the same! Apple has designed the same to enhance the experience by giving you a breather as you unravel to get to the main product!

Similarly, other companies have used packaging to give the user a fuss-free experience, using a minimalistic approach. This is why we believe that packaging is the brand’s attempt to weave it into the consumer experience! 

The main kind of boards are: 

1. Folding Box Board – Amongst the most popular packaging boards, FBB is generally 100% Virgin and is used to package everything from $1000 Cell phones to a $5 Cough syrup 
2. Solid Bleached Sulphate – Manufactured using Sulphate Pulp, SBS is generally used to package perfumes and more luxurious products 
3. Food Board – Part of the folding box boar, but food board is always food grade 
4. Greaseproof Board – Board used to package oily and greasy foods 
5. Cup Stock – Made from both virgin and recycled fibres, is a monolayer board and used to manufacture cups, salad bowls and lower strength trays 
6. Duplex Board – Is the most used packaging boards! Duplex is used in the packaging field for ample products, right from FMCG, Parma and Consumer goods
7. White back Board – Made of primarily recycled content with a small percentage of Virgin, White back board is used from Note book Covering to package consumer and FMCG goods, where the brand owner would like to give his product a more refined look 
8. Grey Board – Also known as Binding Board or Chip Board is used in Rigid packaging as well as in the manufacturing of toys, furniture and other consumables such as pen stands, name boards amongst others. 

Diverse Uses of Packaging Board

Keeping that in mind, let us explore two scenarios where we can show you how packaging is surrounding us! Let’s start from the Movie Halls: 

When we go to the movie hall, and we start ordering confectionaries the packaging that you would generally find would include the following boards used: 

1. Popcorn – 
   1. A popcorn tub is generally made from 280 – 320 GSM PE Coated cupstock 
   2. Smaller popcorn boxes are also made from 300 – 350 GSM Folding Box Board 
   3. Sometimes you might find a popcorn box made from 300 – 350  GSM Duplex Board 
2. Soft drinks – 
   1. Your Soft Drink cup uses 250 – 350 GSM PE Coated Cup stock again depending on the size 
3. Nacho / Momo Tray 
   1. A Nacho or Momo tray uses 280 – 350 GSM Folding Board or Duplex Board 
4. Confectionary 
   1. You would see finer chocolates being packaged in a 250 – 350 GSM Folding Box Board 
   2. You might find smaller chocolates or snacks packed in a 200 – 250 GSM Folding Box Board or SBS Board. Economical brands might opt to use Duplex for the said purpose 
5. Coffee/Tea: 
   1. The disposable cup given to you is made from 170 – 250 GSM PE Coated Cup stock dependent on the size of the beverage 
6. Sandwich and Fries : 
   1. Sandwich : Can be packed in a Folding Box Board or a duplex board 
   2. Fries: Greaseproof Board or Folding Box Board 
7. Salad: 
   1. Salads are packed in a bowl generally made using cupstock 
8. Washroom: 
   1. The facial tissue box is generally manufactured using duplex 

Whilst the theatre might use other substances such as plastics or other grades or substances of boards, the above is just generalised perspective on how we can see the use of packaging boards used in a movie hall! 

One of our Solution Provider went with her better half to the supermarket and saw how packaging was used there in some of the products that she added in her shopping cart: 

1. Juice and Milk Carton – Packed using aseptic packaging  – aseptic packaging is a multi-layered structure using a barrier board as its support structure 
2. Light bulb – packed in a Duplex Box 
3. Breakfast Cereal – Whilst some brands prefer using Folding box board a bulk of the brands continue to use Duplex Board 
4. Tea Boxes – Primarily packaged in Folding Box Board 
5. Potato Chips – Packed in cylindrical cones manufactured using Food Board and Kraft Paper 
6. Pharmaceutical Boxes – While the tertiary packaging is generally duplex board the primary/Secondary packaging is generally Folding Box Board 
7. Mobile Phone – Packaged using Grey Board and Folding Box Board 
8. Frozen Pizza – The box was made using a hard-sized Folding Box Board 

Whilst packaging is more explicit and implicit in the store, these are just some examples from what she added to her cart! 

Packaging is truly one of the most innovative fields in the paper industry. With the advents in technology, packaging is not only enhancing brand image, consumer experience but is also playing a vital hand in extending the shelf life of various products thereby reducing wastage across the paper supply chain, from logistics to the end customers home! 

Learn more about the types of packaging products here.

If you have any enquiries for packaging board please do get in touch with our Solution Providers at contact@theconiferous.com.