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“Despite the already high recycling rates in paperboard packaging – the highest of all packaging materials – the industry is working hard to further reduce the carbon impact and to increase recycling rates.” Anu Rehtijärvi, Market Intelligence Manager, Metsä Board
“In the factories, production lines with plastic packaging solutions can be converted to paperboard. It costs money, but it’s probably a good investment.” Availability avails Michael George , Sales Director, Americas, for Metsä Board, believes that in today’s market, availability is number one, and sustainability is “a very close second.” “The market is moving towards increasing sustainability with respect to raw materials through design and fit-for-purpose packaging. The days of one-design-for-all products seem to be ending as more and more companies are opting for optimized packaging for their products,” says George. For Metsä Board in the Americas, there are two key products in this regard: FBB (folding boxboard) and WKL (white-top kraft- liner). FBB is primarily used in primary and secondary packaging, whereas WKL is typically used in secondary or tertiary packaging. “Both FBB and WKL perform similar functions to offer better product protection, but in different ways,” comments George. “FBB is more of a stand-alone, whereas WKL is part of or a total solution. In both cases, we offer a great print surface, competitive foot- print, and sustainability advantages.” Lighter, but still a fighter Talking about the FBB side of the business, George points out that Metsä Board is able to offer design adjustments, as well as lighter
weight paperboard to perform the necessary functions. “For instance, we have been able to offer an overall reduction of carton weight of 11.7 percent to one of our largest customers without sacrificing any of the qualities of the product,” George says, adding that fiber-based packag- ing has “so much versatility” in today’s market- place. For Metsä Board’s FBB, George sees the greatest benefit as twofold: The company can lower a partner’s carbon impact on the environment while also offering an “incredibly smooth” printing surface that competes at the highest graphical end uses, as well as foil lamination. “This is achieved through our more modern equipment and, of course, our use of high- quality Nordic fibers and pulps that are incred- ibly consistent.” Lightweighting gains ground Sales Director Joe Nellis from Metsä Board, Americas, says that sustainability continues to be a big focus for WKL customers. “For example, we have started to explore more lightweighting options for corrugated board, with a few progressing into production over the last 12 months.” Nellis notes that the company’s Kemi mill, a WKL maker, is uniquely situated to support lightweighting in the market. “This option offers significant cost sav- ings while achieving aggressive sustainability targets in a very competitive market,” he says.
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