acceptable moisture content in corrugated boxes

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. There are three main causes of compression-loss when palletizing boxes: Pallet Overhang, Wooden Pallets, and Interlocked Stacking Patterns. Official websites use .gov Moisture Content testing measures the moisture content currently contained in corrugated board. Heat can reduce the moisture content of corrugated boxes, making them brittle. Containers that are contaminated should be removed based upon the cleanliness requirements of the storage area. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. 1. On average, the figure is around 2%. The Joint Commission is a registered trademark of the Joint Commission enterprise. For this analysis, EPA classified products made of paper and paperboard materials as either nondurable goods or as containers and packaging. Recycling of aluminum beverage cans was 670,000 tons, or 50.4 percent of generation in 2018. First, its important to ensure compatibility between the film used and the stretch-wrap machinery. For example, at 50% relative humidity (RH) a corrugated box is at 80% of its potential stacking strength. This web page contains material-specific information and data on paper and paperboard. Stack boxes only on smooth, clean surfaces. Keywords: Relative humidity, Moisture, Scumming, Ink peeling, Crisp, Temperature, Flute, Liner, Curling. Incidentally, superimposed weight should be like-on-like, meaning, weights other than corrugated should not be superimposed on unit loads of corrugated. 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. Still have a question about the data? 3 0 obj Gene Bodenheimer, senior vice president, retail logistics damage research at Genco,leads the companys team responsible for investigating solutions for unsaleable products as well assupply chain solutions within Genco's retail vertical. rAbuZrVI4*S~BA/9xd)0u Virtually eliminates load crushing by distributing the force of the film over the entire load, without the use of corner boards, Can take a shock or vibration and still maintain the load in its original unitized configuration, Material cost per pallet is less than shrink wrapping or strapping, Equipment is less expensive than shrink wrapping, bagging or automatic strapping equipment, Provides lower operating and maintenance costs, Provides a large energy saving over shrink wrapping, May be produced tinted or opaque for product identification or pilferage prevention, Provides less resistance to moisture than shrink wrap, Cannot be used to (vertically) compress a pallet load because its primary holding force is in the horizontal direction. Aluminum recycling represents aluminum cans only. This can be done by using a stretch wrap machine, or by simply spiral wrapping the load by hand. 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. <> Still have a question about the data? However, over time, cases can shift, creating a gap that can lead to product damage. Data on the production of wood packaging are derived from purchased market research and research from the Center for Forest Products at Virginia Tech and the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Southern Research Station. Learn how working with the Joint Commission benefits your organization and community. Too dry, and the corrugated and glue can crack. Some easy-to-overlook culprits are storage and handling practices. How can we arrive at the optimal packaging solutions that strike the right balance between cost, environmental impact, and safety, while allocating costs appropriately? Gain an understanding of the development of electronic clinical quality measures to improve quality of care. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. }]'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) Wood packaging includes mostly wood pallets, as well as wood crates. (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). Surprisingly, the top tier is third on the vulnerability scale. Wandering around hoping to find treasuresor in this case, problemsisnt a strategy when so much money is on the line. EPA also estimated the recycling of plastic products based on data published annually by the American Chemistry Council, as well as additional industry data. Throughout its time in storage and up to the time its erected into a box, corrugated should remain flat and never stored on its edge. corrugated boxes. 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 Source: American Forest and Paper Association. The aim of this study was to develop a model to predict spatio-temporal moisture content distribution in corrugated fibreboard cartons under standard RFC shipping conditions. for specifying conveyor and container handling equipment, and top tips for a successful pack Ensure that pallets are free of nails, large splinters, and other sharp objects that can damage corrugated boxes. These estimates include recycling from residential sources, pre-combustion and post-combustion magnetic separation of steel cans and other ferrous products at MSW combustion facilities, and recycling of drums and barrels not suitable for reconditioning. In a more recent publication,The Fundamentals of Packaging Technology(c.2013), an increase in RH from 40% to 90% can result in a loss of about 50% of a corrugated containers stack strength. Therefore a corrugated shipping case headed for humid conditions will need to be much stronger in order to compensate for this loss. 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. Containers and packaging products in MSW are made of several materials: paper and paperboard, glass, steel, aluminum, plastics, wood, and small amounts of other materials. BRC/IOP, MCAS) and therefore multi-audits are superfluous. Corrugated boxes can protect even the most fragile items, including glass and chemical liquids. annual review). Storing & Handling Guidelines - Corrugated & Cardboard Box Damage to. The corrugated paper, the properties of the base material of the base paper directly to the final quality of the fine in a package is assembled. Cardboard - Cargo Handbook - the world's largest cargo transport EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of paper and paperboard products. After the manufacturing process, the corrugated board is cut into sheets and stored in a stack until optimum moisture content has been reached in order to A very small percentagetypically less than 1%of the products within the cartons are damaged. How to test the moisture of Corrugated Boxes? - prestogroup A dash in the table means that data is not available. The new national standard states that the moisture content of the paper should not be above 14%, which means that the paperboard has an . On the other hand, there is the potential for a significant amount of undamaged product being rejected. Find the exact resources you need to succeed in your accreditation journey. Standards & Guidelines relating to the corrugated industry - Fefco Typical accuracy is about 0.1% moisture. 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. In 2018, the recycling rate of generated packaging and containers was 53.9 percent. After recycling, the combustion of corrugated boxes was 230,000 tons, and landfills received 940,000 tons in 2018. 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. Engineering, however, does not solve every problem that can be encountered with corrugated. And just where do you start? And if there has to be an investment in storage racks, a favorable tradeoff is that the specified heights of unit loads can be increased, leading to increased storage densities, and later, increased handling efficiencies. Heat and humidity are the two biggest enemies of packaging strength. It reduces the chance of moisture damage as well as cracks and creases due to dryness. Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report page, Paper and Paperboard Containers and Packaging. But theres a way to maximize its space. Evidence of damage is heavy creasing to the corrugate, a punctured case or other tell-tale signs, such as tears and rips. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The total generation of paper and paperboard in MSW was 67.4 million tons in 2018, which was 23.1percent of total MSW generation that year. Introduction All of these cause problems as the corrugated is erected into boxes, whether the operation is manual or automated. zN.V``SY%`pz~QCl.tn.qsxCl.#/Wy p+Sfezaq~k{s4v CO=4=\{xz2>E)`gL'E&"J/_ Y(LtW2iwSJ,^NFivB='VXmdn&pSFgF$nrJefpUh^o_42qAP9*+zLQ9uqWZjDE5RSSRA)xj. During the day, the warmer air picks up moisture, and as the air cools in the evening, it releases it as dew. Recycling data for other aluminum packaging categories were not available for 2018. stream This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. 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). Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. Boxes and Shipping Containers | Hospital and Hospital Clinics Moisture Content Testing | Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design . Box users make major investments in the development, production and promotion of their products. endobj EPA defines containers and packaging as products that are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased. Copyright 2022 FlexPAC Web Design by Roundpeg, To get all the tips on corrugated boxes, read our blog on, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Is the product appropriately stabilized? The updated document is now available here. Water is used in the corrugated board production and aids in creating the liner board, forming the flute structure, and as part of the starch adhesive that combines them. 2023 PMMI Media Group. How Humidity Affects Corrugated Boxes - FlexPAC The net import of unfilled aluminum cans is estimated from data collected by the Department of Commerce. Set expectations for your organization's performance that are reasonable, achievable and survey-able. The document was updated in 2019, the major change wasthe new TS 702 on Fishtailing & Gap variation. EPA estimated that the generation of these glass containers was 9.8 million tons in 2018, or 3.3percent of MSW generation. Phone: 317-872-0097 Restated: what can compromise virgin corrugated can compromise recycled-content corrugated more easily. | PDF Modelling of heat and moisture transport in a corrugated board stack 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. Drive performance improvement using our new business intelligence tools. Solid fiber Offering versatility and durability, solid fiber is designed to be stronger and more moisture resistant than corrugated packaging. The estimated amount of glass containers recycled in 2018 was 3.1 million tons, or 31.3 percent of generation. SRI also provided recycling data for steel containers and packaging. Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap or pallet wrap, is one of the most popular unitization materials on the market. Alternate bundle direction, or alternate loose boxes at intervals for greater stability. Innovative / Sustainable Packaging Products & Solutions | International Find out about the current National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) for specific programs. Additionally, about 14.3 percent of the wood containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (58.8 percent) was landfilled. Looking for other information? Cardboard too much water, will affect its normal use. The moisture content of the box is determined by environmental relative humidity. 834. . Additionally, about 13.4 percent of the glass containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (55.4 percent) was landfilled. Leave the strapping, bundling or other unitizing device in place until boxes are ready for use. x[oH |EX,NC$NCw?R' -%k(;=! 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. Box 43176; Detroit, MI 48243; 313-531-1875 office; 313-531-1972 fax; sterlinganthony1@sbcglobal.net; www.pkgconsultant. Toll-free: 800-283-0097 The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of other miscellaneous packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Nondurable goods include products such as office papers, newspapers, tissue paper, and paper plates and cups. View them by specific areas by clicking here. Even stretching the limits of extreme accountability, its virtually impossible for an inanimate objectsay, a case of twenty-four 18oz cans of cornto heed a common warning: Travel at your own risk., Or even the caution Items may shift during loading.. Entire unit loads rejected at distribution centers can cost well over a thousand dollars each and create significant delays. Consequently, if a few boxes are unusable, the loss involved is relatively insignificant, right? One effective strategy is pinwheeling, in which the direction of every other pallet is altered. Loading decisions must seek to balance productivity, safety, transportation and equipment costs, and product protection. Packaging is the product used to wrap or protect goods, including food, beverages, medications and cosmetic products. Paper containers and packaging, excluding corrugated boxes, had a recycling rate of 20.8 percent, while corrugated boxes had a recycling rate of 96.5 percent in 2018. <> 2 0 obj EPA estimated the generation of aluminum packaging at 1.9 million tons in 2018, or 0.7 percent of MSW generation. In fact, its possible that damage waste has a greater adverse impact on the environment than the extra packaging itself. 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. There are those owing to dimensional changes: the corrugated absorbs moisture causing it to swell, warp, or distort to whatever degree. What about column or interlocking stacking? 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. Ideally, store your boxes in a cool place. Its important to monitor whether the recommended pre-stretchage is being adhered to in the process. Furthermore, such a transparent standard, adapted to the material, also respects all its specific qualities . The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of glass containers generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Get a deep dive into our standards, chapter-by-chapter, individually or as a team. Carton box moisture control - Packmage OW8lF0Bd9n?DL0C S\E vmi]L'E`f ur4Z{.+};pf K@i%LEwpX9hH Touch points can become flash points for product damage. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll do our best to make it work! Implementing this GMP means having a total control system in place in each manufacturing plant. The construction of a box can become even more complicated for dangerous goods. 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. FEFCO has updated the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) document in March 2020. Whenever possible, they should be handled only with tools like pallet jacks, forklifts and hand trucks rather than manually. Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Although it would be difficult to calculate the reduction of strength under fluctuating conditions over time, the chart below (Protective Packaging for Distribution, 2010) is used to determine the compression strength loss over time under various environmental conditions. They are also larger, using more air volume to accommodate the greater weight of truck and load. At 85% RH, a box has 50% of its potential stacking strength. 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. The Reel Identification and Finishing Guidelines published in December 2017 has been developed by FEFCO together with Cepi ContainerBoard (CCB) and contains the principles for reels labelling as well as core requirements. But are they cognizant of the tremendous cost and waste that result from this practice? 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). Both cases can lead to failure. line startup. Kiln dried pallets have a much lower moisture content (~19%), and they will not release moisture when shipped because this MC is below the EMC in sea containers. Whereas too much moisture is problematic, so too is too little. Avoid stacking boxes too high, whether loose or banded, because of slight instability. From travel distance to changes in road conditions and elevation, transportation can have wide-ranging effects on the level of product damage. 3 0 obj High-humidity conditions can weaken the adhesive that bonds the fluted medium to the liners, enough, in fact, that the corrugated can delaminate. Higher humidity levels can drastically affect corrugate strength. Optical/ Laser measuring device: Bahmller Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. We know, boxes are not rocket science. The multipliers can be used to calculate compression loss for specific situations. How to ensure your best conveying project yet. 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. Pallets should be of quality construction; otherwise, splinters, protruding nails, and other defects can inflict damage. An official website of the United States government. You may also want to look at reconfiguring the box dimensions to fit the pallet. The material and strength of packaging, and even the design, can factor into damage. In 2018, the recycling rate of generated packaging and containers was 53.9 percent. All actors of the supply chain (e.g. It is useful and instructive for box design considerations to quantify the expected strength loss as a function of the equilibrated moisture content of corrugated board and so minimize box failure in high humidity . With the aim to contribute to the sustainability of packaging, the FEFCO Corrugated Packaging Recyclability Guidelinesprovide the industry with a practical set of tools to implement in the recycling of paper and board to ensure the optimal use of natural resources and minimise their environmental impact. Heat can reduce the moisture content of corrugated boxes, making them brittle. EPA estimated 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging were generated in 2018, approximately 5.0 percent of MSW generation. Climate and geography can be significant contributors to product damage. 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. 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. However, once the . A property of corrugated is flat-crush resistance; even so, that property should not be exceeded by superimposed weights. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of steel containers and packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Store boxes flat from the time they are received until they are ready for use. Too much moisture can lead to weakened cellulose fibers, delamination, and weakened glue bonds. 4dn2PE;o%jM ]oPk3x H7,9F;* F#u ghEIk*aMx\EV)lDPf!>%{ m sHq*XJmNl3p#N3)}X6uUWZWmH[7V{!+)HD?^M@=L`dTm.tVm$Ex7D`9X$W;$_4H+W+Qoj%H Follow first in, first out practices in using inventory. This Standards FAQ was first published on this date. By unitization, we simply mean the process of bundling and securing several individual packages together, often on a pallet. Simply stated, unusable boxes can result in unsold products. Obtain useful information in regards to patient safety, suicide prevention, infection control and many more. Corrugated boxes stored under ideal conditions will remain usable for a long period of time. Reactions . He can be reached at[emailprotected]. Other aluminum packaging is based on Aluminum Association data. Certifications from The Joint Commission represent the most stringent, comprehensive and evidence-based proof of the success of your program available. Consider: Is there overhang or underhang? 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. Sustainability has increased the popularity of corrugated comprising recycled content. producers, packers or suppliers) are responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, and hygiene not only of food, but also of packaging. 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. An excel testing template is available as a tool to support the statistical evaluation of the test results and communication with suppliers/customers. Manual operations are slowed and automated case erectors are jammed. 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. 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. They can pull the pallet and put it in a re-coup area and submit a claim to the manufacturer. Corrugated boxes were the largest single product category of MSW in 2018 at 33.3 million tons generated, or 11.4 percent of total generation. CORRUGATED BOXES CS19.0.5 Issued: 2017AUG10 CORPORATE STANDARD File No. 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. This tier is susceptible to impact-related damage caused by unit loads leaning or being out of vertical alignment. Given the economic and environmental costs vs. benefits of different materials, designs, applications and logistical operations, whats the best way to effectively manage these variables to make the most appropriate packaging decisions? Ultimate Guide to Corrugated Boxes: Corrugated Packaging 101 (2023) Therefore, any discussion about improving the sustainability of production and consumption must always address packaging as an essential part of the supply chain. Palletizing boxes so that they are columnar, or vertically stacked (stacking one box directly on top of the other) is the preferred method. The main purpose of packaging is to provide protection for products. Another set of problems relate to unitizing. Equilibrium moisture content for the corrugated fibreboard used in this For example, at 50% relative humidity (RH) a corrugated box is at 80% of its potential stacking strength. At 85% RH, a box has 50% of its potential stacking strength. An official website of the United States government. Those unit loads can be unstable and therefore hazardous, since they can collapse on their own and more probably under a superimposed load. FEFCO GMP standard is developed for the manufacturing of packaging made of corrugated board in order to support companies to fulfilthe legal requirements according to EU Regulations 1935/2004/EG for food contact materials and EU Regulation 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practices (See document below). A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. Wrong! 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). Official websites use .gov Read our latest Playbook to discover how to ensure efficient product handling, best practices Boxes under stress from a load, such as stacked on a pallet, are even further impacted by increased humidity. <>>> Is this practical? Our team has worked with countless companies whose boxes have faced just about every environmental condition imaginable.
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