Containerboard: types, properties and applications / Articles

Containerboard (тарный картон) is a broad group of packaging boards intended for the manufacture of transport packaging, consumer packaging and, above all, corrugated board. It is one of the most massive types of board in the world, and its consumption is directly linked to the development of logistics, e-commerce and industrial production. Containerboard combines sufficient stiffness, compressive and burst strength, processability and cost efficiency, making it an indispensable material for protecting goods during transportation and storage.

Classification and Types of Containerboard

Containerboard is classified according to several key criteria: by application, by fiber composition and by construction. By application, two main groups are distinguished: board for consumer packaging (folding boxboard) and board for corrugated board production. The second group, in turn, is divided into linerboard (flat layers) and fluting (corrugating medium).

Linerboard — these are the outer layers of corrugated board, which bear the main loads and ensure the strength and appearance of the packaging. Depending on the composition and appearance, linerboard is divided into several types. Kraftliner is made from virgin fiber — unbleached softwood kraft pulp, which provides maximum strength and a natural brown color. Testliner is produced mainly from recycled waste paper (OCC — old corrugated containers) and is a more economical alternative. White top liner has a white top layer of bleached pulp or white recycled fiber, which improves the appearance of the packaging and print quality. Coated white top liner is also produced for high-quality printing.

Fluting (corrugating medium) is the inner layer of corrugated board, which gives it volume, stiffness and cushioning properties. Fluting is produced from waste paper (less commonly from semi-chemical pulp) and has a lower weight and strength than linerboard.

Folding boxboard is used for the production of consumer packaging — boxes, cartons and packaging for various goods. This group includes chromo board (made from bleached pulp, coated or uncoated), chromo-ersatz (made from bleached and unbleached pulp, mechanical pulp and recycled fiber) and boxboard made from unbleached pulp.

Standards and Grades

In Russia and CIS countries, requirements for containerboard are regulated by a system of state standards. GOST 9421-80 applies to flat glued containerboard obtained by gluing several layers of board and intended for the manufacture of packaging. The standard establishes grades KS, KS-1 and KS-2, which differ in thickness and application. For packaging butter, margarine and other food products, grades KS and KS-1 are used. The board is glued with liquid sodium glass or another adhesive that ensures the necessary bond strength. For the outer layers of KS and KS-1 board, a base board with a surface layer of kraft pulp is used, with the allowance of recycled fiber grades MS-5, MS-6 not exceeding 50% (subject to approval by sanitary authorities for food packaging).

GOST 32096-2013 establishes requirements for packaging board for food products. The standard applies to board grades KhR (chromo), KhRE (chromo-ersatz), KhRES (chromo-ersatz glued) and TPS, TPS-1 (flat glued containerboard). KhR and KhRE board has a weight of 170 to 850 g/m² and a thickness of 0.30 to 1.50 mm, and is used for packaging dry groceries, confectionery and bakery products, tea, coffee, sweets, chocolate. KhRES board has a weight of 600 to 2500 g/m² and a thickness of 1.00 to 3.00 mm, and is used for packaging bulk products — flour, sugar, salt, cereals. TPS and TPS-1 grades have a thickness of at least 2.20 mm and are intended for the manufacture of boxes for packaging butter, margarine and other fat-containing products.

GOST 7933-89 applies to board for consumer packaging and establishes requirements for chromo board, chromo-ersatz and boxboard. Modern manufacturers also develop their own technical specifications, focusing on European standards and the requirements of high-speed corrugators. In particular, a classification of containerboard grades by quality level has been introduced: Medium HP and S-Liner HP (highest quality from recycled fiber for high-speed lines), Medium and S-Liner 1 (optimal standard quality), Medium 2 and S-Liner 2 (medium standard quality for a wide range of corrugated board).

Key Properties and Quality Indicators

The quality of containerboard is determined by a set of physical and mechanical indicators standardized by the relevant standards. The most important are:

Basis weight: for linerboard typically 100 to 225 g/m² (for some grades up to 400 g/m²), for fluting — 100–150 g/m².
Thickness: for KhR and KhRE board — 0.30 to 1.50 mm; for glued board — 1.00 to 3.00 mm.
Stiffness in static bending (bending moment): a critical indicator for maintaining the shape of the packaging. Standardized in the cross direction and depends on board weight.
Burst strength: characterizes the ability of the board to withstand impact loads and pressure.
Short-span compression test (SCT) and corrugated medium test (CMT): determine the strength of corrugated board during stacking.
Ring crush test (RCT): an important indicator for assessing linerboard stiffness.
Edge crush resistance: standardized for glued board (not less than 130 N for KhR and 120 N for KhRE, not less than 90 N for KhRES).
Internal bond energy: an indicator characterizing the strength of interfiber bonds.
Smoothness and roughness of the face side (Bendtsen): important for print quality.
Whiteness of the face side: for coated grades — not less than 80–85%.
Moisture: typically 8.0% (standardized according to GOST 13525.19).

Production Technology

Containerboard production is a complex multi-stage process starting with the preparation of fibrous raw materials. Depending on the type of board, primary fiber (unbleached kraft pulp, semi-chemical pulp) or recycled raw materials (waste paper grades MS-5B, MS-6, OCC) are used. The prepared pulp is refined to a certain degree of beating, which affects strength properties and formability. Different fiber compositions can be used for different layers of the board (base and top layers), allowing optimization of the combination of strength, stiffness and appearance.

The formation of the board web is carried out on board machines. The multi-layer structure is created by sequentially depositing several layers on the wire section of the machine. After forming, the web is pressed, dried and subjected to surface treatment — starch sizing, top layer application or coating. For glued board (TPS, KS), several layers of base board are glued with liquid sodium glass or another adhesive, followed by pressing and drying.

The finished board is cut into sheets or wound into rolls. Board with a thickness of up to 0.9 mm is produced in rolls, bobbins and sheets; board with a thickness of more than 0.9 mm — only in sheets. Modern board machines are equipped with automatic control systems for weight, thickness and moisture, ensuring quality stability.

Applications

Corrugated board production. This is the largest consumption area for containerboard. Linerboard and fluting are glued on corrugators to produce various grades of corrugated board (double-wall, triple-wall, five-wall), which is used for the manufacture of transport packaging — boxes, cartons, trays. Corrugated board is used in logistics, e-commerce, food industry, production of household appliances and electronics.

Transport packaging. Flat glued containerboard (TPS, KS) is used for the manufacture of boxes for packaging butter, margarine, fat-containing products, as well as other transport packaging.

Consumer packaging. Folding boxboard (chromo, chromo-ersatz) is used for the production of boxes and cartons for confectionery, tea, coffee, perfumery, cosmetics, household chemicals, footwear and clothing.

Food packaging. Board grades KhR, KhRE, KhRES are used for packaging dry groceries, confectionery and bakery products, tea, coffee, sweets, chocolate, biscuits, breakfast cereals, as well as bulk products — flour, sugar, salt, cereals. For food packaging, sanitary and hygienic requirements are important, so the use of recycled fiber in the surface layer is permitted only with the approval of sanitary authorities.

Special types of packaging. Containerboard with coatings (polyethylene, water-repellent, grease-resistant) is used for packaging products requiring additional protection. Moisture-resistant board is used for packaging goods stored in humid conditions.

Construction and industry. Containerboard is also used for the production of drywall (as a facing layer), for the manufacture of cushioning and insulating materials, as well as in the production of furniture and building structures.

Safety and Storage

Containerboard in commercial form (rolls, sheets) does not present a chemical hazard. It is a combustible material, so fire safety rules must be observed during storage. Board should be stored in dry, well-ventilated areas, protected from direct moisture and contamination, to prevent loss of strength properties and the development of microorganisms. When working with board dust generated during cutting and processing, respirators are recommended. For food packaging, the board must comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements, and the use of recycled fiber in the surface layer is permitted only with the approval of sanitary authorities.

Market and Trends

The global market for containerboard and corrugated packaging demonstrates steady dynamics. According to Smithers, global consumption of cartonboard reached 56.3 million tonnes in 2025, and the corrugated board market is estimated at USD 176 billion with a projected growth to USD 237 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of about 5.1%. Global demand for paperboard packaging is forecast to grow by 4.4% in 2026.

In Russia, containerboard is a key segment of the pulp and paper industry: of the 10.7 million tonnes of paper and board produced in the country, 55% is containerboard. Kraftliner production is estimated at about 1 million tonnes. In 2025, corrugated product output in Russia increased by 0.8% to 9.2 billion square meters, but by the end of 2026 a slight decline is expected due to falling demand and surplus products on the market.

Key industry drivers are the development of e-commerce and logistics, the global shift from plastic to paper and board packaging (including under pressure from environmental regulations), and growth in food production and consumer goods. Main trends include an increasing share of recycled fiber (testliner) to reduce costs and carbon footprint, the development of high-strength grades for high-speed corrugators, and the introduction of moisture-resistant and grease-resistant coatings. Producers with a full cycle — from waste paper collection to finished packaging production — occupy stable competitive positions.

Conclusion

Containerboard remains a fundamental material of the modern packaging industry, ensuring the strength, protection and logistical efficiency of goods. Understanding the classification (linerboard, fluting, folding boxboard), grade composition according to GOST 9421-80 and GOST 32096-2013, production technologies and applications is the basis for competent material selection and the organization of efficient supplies.