| Types of Cartonboard | | | | chemical pulp, with selected recovered paper also |
| Solid Bleached Board | | | | used for the back layer. The overall content of |
| Solid Bleached Board (SBB) is made exclusively | | | | recycled pulp varies from about 80% to 100%. |
| from bleached chemical pulp. It usually has a white | | | | The top surface will, typically have two or three |
| pigment coated top surface, comprising two or | | | | layers of white pigment coating and it is now |
| three layers and some grades are also coated on | | | | usual for most WLC to have a layer of white |
| the reverse side. SBB has excellent printing, | | | | pigment coating on the reverse side and this is |
| structural design and embossing characteristics | | | | known as GT. WLC can be made with a white, |
| making it particularly suitable for luxury products | | | | grey or, sometimes brown reverse side. Plastic |
| and for contents where preservation of product | | | | extrusion coatings, paper and aluminium foil |
| aroma, flavour and hygiene are critical. Examples | | | | laminations, and other functional coatings may be |
| of carton manufacturings where SBB is often | | | | added. |
| used include perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, | | | | WLC is used in a wide range of applications which |
| pharmaceuticals, cigarettes and frozen food | | | | includes cereals, dry foods, frozen and chilled |
| packaging. The product is also referred to as SBS | | | | foods, detergent powders, confectionary outers, |
| or GZ. | | | | toiletries, household goods, electrical, engineering |
| Solid Unbleached Board | | | | products, car spares, DIY, gardening, toys and |
| Solid Unbleached Board (SUB) is typically made | | | | games. Special treatments are available to provide |
| entirely from unbleached chemical pulp and is | | | | fat resistance and other barrier properties for |
| brown in colour. It is also referred to as SUS or | | | | uses in fast food, pet food and soap packaging. |
| UZ. For many carton applications the printing | | | | What other boards are used for cartons? |
| surface of this product has either a white pigment | | | | A small number of cartons are made with 100% |
| coating or a bleached chemical pulp top layer plus | | | | recycled unlined chipboard. This has a grey |
| coating. | | | | appearance on both sides. Cartons can also be |
| Folding Box Board | | | | manufactured using microflute corrugated board. |
| Folding Box Board (FBB) comprises middle layers | | | | This is often used to provide additional protection |
| of mechanical pulp sandwiched between layers of | | | | for fragile products such as glass, porcelain, and |
| bleached chemical pulp. The top layer, or, liner, is | | | | sensitive electronic and electrical goods, whilst at |
| usually white pigment coated in two or three | | | | the same time providing a high standard of print |
| layers. The reverse side is typically cream or | | | | and varnish appearance. |
| manilla in appearance as the back layer of | | | | What developments have there been recently in |
| chemical pulp is translucent allowing the colour of | | | | carton manufacturing? |
| the middle layers to show through. Where the | | | | Investment continues in computer controlled |
| reverse side or back layer of chemical pulp is | | | | processing and on-machine quality monitoring, both |
| thicker and/or white pigment coated, so that the | | | | of which have lead to productivity improvements |
| appearance of both sides is white, the FBB is | | | | and even more consistent quality. New forming |
| described as a White Black Folding Box Board or | | | | and press section techniques have resulted in |
| GC1. | | | | improved strength characteristics with the |
| FBB can be plastic extrusion coated, laminated | | | | possibility of grammage reduction and less |
| with other materials, and given other treatments | | | | packaging overall. |
| to enhance its appearance and functional | | | | The industry has eliminated the use of pulp |
| properties. A wide range of applications for this | | | | bleached with chlorine gas. This has resulted in |
| product include cosmetics, chocolate, sugar | | | | reducing the environmental impact of bleaching in |
| confectionary, medical, healthcare, toiletries, dry | | | | lakes, rivers and estuaries in the vicinity of pulp |
| foods, chilled foods, coffee, tea, biscuits, baked | | | | mills. |
| goods, clothing, toys, games, photographic | | | | There have been developments in surface coating |
| products and frozen food packaging. | | | | methods, coating formulations and board machine |
| White Lined Chipboard | | | | processing, using techniques such as surface |
| White Lined Chipboard (WLC), also known as GD, | | | | glazing and brushing, which have increased |
| has middle layers of recycled pulp made from | | | | smoothness, whiteness and sheet stability. This |
| mixed recovered papers or carton manufacturing | | | | has improved visual appearance and printing |
| waste. The top layer comprises either pulp made | | | | capability. |
| from selected recovered paper or bleached | | | | |