What distinguishes corrugated packaging from other forms of packing, and why is it currently the most popular? In the article below, we'll learn more about this type of packaging and how your company may use it to its fullest potential.
What is corrugated packaging?
Corrugated packaging is made of corrugated paper. This material is made up of three or more paper layers layered on top of one another. The corrugated layer, which makes up the middle layer, is wavy in shape and gives the packaging good strength and bearing capacity. The two outside layers are known as liner, and they are constructed of tougher paper to protect the product inside.
Corrugated packaging is widely used in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, electronics, household appliances, furniture, and others.
Layers and Components What Making Corrugated Packaging Durable
Multiple layers of paper are piled on top of one another to create corrugated packaging. With its wavy structure, the middle layer—known as the corrugated layer—gives the packing excellent resilience and bearing strength. To safeguard what's within, the two outer layers are referred to as liners and are composed of tougher paper.
- Lineboard: The outside paper layer of corrugated packing is called a liner. During handling and transit, the lining shields the corrugated layer from harm. The lining is often constructed of kraft paper, which has a high sturdiness and weight capacity.
- Fluting: In corrugated packaging, the corrugated layer is the middle layer of paper. The wavy design of the corrugated layer gives the package considerable durability and carrying competence. Kraft paper is typically used to create the corrugated layer, however other forms of paper, like recycled paper, can also be used.
- Adhesive: This layer of glue is what holds the corrugated layer and the two lining layers together.
3 Types of Corrugated Packaging for Customer to Choose
Corrugated packing comes in three primary varieties: single wall, double wall, and triple wall for customer to choose.
- Single Wall: The lightest and least strong type of corrugated packaging is single wall. It consists of a wavy layer in the middle between two pieces of paper. It works well for packing lightweight products like cereal boxes and shoe boxes that don't require a lot of protection.
- Double Wall: Compared to single wall corrugated packaging, double wall packaging is more durable.. It is composed of two wavy layers in the middle of four layers of paper. It works well for packing bulkier, more protective things like furniture and appliances.
- Triple Wall: The toughest and most durable type of corrugated packaging. It is composed of three wavy layers in the middle of six layers of paper. Devices like electronics and medical equipment, which are both heavy and fragile, work well packaged in it.
Here is a table summarizing the three types of corrugated packaging:
Type |
Number of layers |
Strength |
Durability |
Applications |
Single Wall |
3 |
Light |
Low |
Lightweight and non-fragile items |
Double Wall |
5 |
Medium |
High |
Heavier and more delicate items, shipping and storage |
Triple Wall |
7 |
Heavy |
Very high |
Heaviest and most delicate items, shipping and storage of heavy products |
What is the difference between cardboard and corrugated sheets?
Sometimes people mix up the two varieties of cardboard and corrugated sheets since they are made of paper. The main differences between these two kinds of paper are as follows:
- Cardboard is a thick, stiff paper consisting of numerous layers of paper glued together.
- Corrugated sheets are comprised of three or more layers of pasted paper, with a wavy layer in the middle. Because of this, corrugated sheets are stronger and more durable than cardboard.
Here is the table to show more clearly:
Property |
Cardboard |
Corrugated sheets |
Structure |
Made from multiple layers of paper that are glued together |
Made up of three or more layers of paper that are glued together, with a wavy layer in the middle |
Strength |
Less strong and durable |
More strong and durable |
Weight |
Lighter |
Heavier |
Typical uses |
Packaging lightweight products |
Packaging heavier products |
Numerous Advantages of Corrugated Packaging
When it comes to packaging, corrugated packaging offers numerous benefits because of its sturdy construction and paper material, such as:
Strength and Durability
The structure of corrugated packaging is made up of numerous paper layers that alternate to form a solid block with a high bearing capacity and resistance to impact and falling objects.
For the packaging of big products like furniture, appliances, and machinery, corrugated packaging is also widely used. It helps preventing damage to these products during use, transportation, and storage.
Lightweight and Cost-Effective
Made from paper, this type of packaging is much lighter in weight than wooden, metal or plastic packaging. This helps reduce shipping and storage costs. It can be used to package lightweight products like as food, furniture, clothing, etc.
Eco-Friendly and Recyclable
Paper, the material used to make corrugated packaging, can be recycled after use. Reduce plastic waste after that. Furthermore, less energy and movement are needed due to the gentle nature of corrugated packaging, which reduces carbon emissions.
Customization and Printability
Corrugated packaging is easily customizable to meet consumer needs in a variety of industries, including food, cosmetics, toys, and more. Customizations can be made to size, shape, color, and logo. This makes it become a powerful tool for promoting brands.
Corrugated Cardboard Box in Food Packaging
In food packaging, corrugated paper is a common use for both primary and secondary packaging by its features.
Advantages of corrugated in food packaging
- Keeps food and drink goods safe from contamination and spoiling: Food and drink products are shielded from moisture, air, and pests by corrugated packaging, which acts as a barrier.
- Absorbs stress and vibration: The shock and vibration that corrugated packaging can withstand helps to prevent food and drink products from getting damaged during handling and transportation.
- Insulates temperature-sensitive products: Corrugated packaging can be used to insulate temperature-sensitive products during storage and shipping, such as frozen meals and chilled beverages.
Specific Examples of Corrugated in food packaging
Here are some examples of Corrugated Packaging used as primary and secondary packaging:
- Primary packaging: Individual food items, like cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, cookie boxes, and pizza boxes, are packaged in corrugated boxes.
- Secondary packaging: used to package together individual food items for shipping and storage. For example, a larger corrugated box may be used to convey a box of cereal boxes to a supermarket shop.
Learn more about 3 types of packaging
Which food business need corrugated cardboard box?
For food products, corrugated cardboard boxes offer a flexible and environmentally friendly packaging option. Corrugated boxes can be useful for food distributors, food retailers, food service business. Here are some typical food businesses that use corrugated cardboard boxes:
- Bakeries: With corrugated cardboard boxes, bakers package and distribute baked items such as bread, cakes, and pastries.
- Produce suppliers: Fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, are packaged and shipped using corrugated cardboard boxes by producers.
- Meat and poultry processors: To package and transport fresh meat, poultry, and processed meat products, meat and poultry processors use corrugated cardboard boxes.
- Manufacturers of frozen food: Manufacturers of frozen food package and distribute frozen meals, veggies, and other frozen food products using corrugated cardboard boxes.
- Snack food makers package and ship chips, candies, cookies, and other snack food goods in corrugated cardboard boxes.
- Beverage business package and ship bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine in corrugated cardboard boxes.
So, corrugated packaging is popular in many various industries, including the food business, because of its strong structure and numerous advantages. Whether you are a food distributor or store, knowing how corrugated packaging works will help you make your packaging far more efficient.