Unveiling the Corrugated Carton Industry: Essential Insights for Every Business

1. Introduction to Corrugated Cartons

2. Core Material: Corrugated Cardboard Structure

• A-flute: Large flute diameter, excellent cushioning, suitable for fragile goods packaging;
• B-flute: Small flute diameter, high flat compressive strength, ideal for small, heavy goods and display packaging;
• C-flute: Medium flute diameter, balanced cushioning and strength, widely used in general cargo packaging;
• E-flute: Ultra-small flute diameter, thin and rigid, suitable for high-precision packaging such as electronics and cosmetics;
• Combined flutes (e.g., AB, BC, BE): Integrate advantages of different flutes to meet specific packaging requirements.

3. Production Process of Corrugated Cartons

1. Raw Material Preparation: Select high-quality kraft paper or waste paper pulp as the raw material for linerboard and fluted medium, and undergo pulping, papermaking, and rolling processes to produce base paper.
2. Corrugating: Heat and humidify the fluted medium, then pass it through corrugating rolls to form a wave-like shape, and bond it with linerboard (single-sided cardboard) or two layers of linerboard (double-sided cardboard) using starch adhesive.
3. Slitting and Creasing: Cut the corrugated cardboard into specified widths using slitting knives, and press creases on the cardboard to facilitate folding during carton forming.
4. Die-cutting: Use a die-cutting machine to cut the corrugated cardboard into the shape of the carton blank according to the designed die plate.
5. Forming and Bonding/Stitching: Fold the die-cut carton blanks, and seal the joints using adhesive (glued cartons) or metal staples (stitched cartons) to form finished corrugated cartons.

4. Application Fields

• Logistics and Transportation: As the primary packaging for goods transportation, they protect products from damage during handling, storage, and long-distance transportation;
• Food and Beverage Industry: Used for packaging fruits, vegetables, dairy products, beverages, and processed foods. With the addition of moisture-proof, oil-proof, or fresh-keeping coatings, they can meet special food packaging requirements;
• Electronics Industry: Provide cushioning packaging for electronic products such as mobile phones, computers, and home appliances, often combined with EPE foam or bubble wrap to enhance protection;
• Retail and Display: Customized corrugated cartons with printed patterns and logos are used as display packaging in supermarkets and stores, enhancing product visibility and brand image;
• Agricultural Products: Used for packaging grains, fruits, and vegetables, facilitating centralized storage and transportation of agricultural products.

5. Industry Trends and Development Directions

• Green and Recyclable Development: Under the concept of "carbon neutrality" and environmental protection, the industry is accelerating the use of recycled raw materials and biodegradable adhesives. Meanwhile, the recycling system of corrugated cartons is continuously improved to reduce environmental impact;
• Customization and Personalization: Driven by the e-commerce and retail industries, customers have increasingly diverse requirements for carton specifications, patterns, and functions. The industry is developing digital printing and flexible production technologies to meet personalized customization needs;
• Lightweight and High-Strength: By optimizing the structure of corrugated cardboard and improving the performance of base paper, the industry is developing lightweight cartons that maintain high strength, reducing raw material consumption and transportation costs;
• Intelligent Production: The application of intelligent equipment such as automated corrugating machines, robotic die-cutting machines, and intelligent sorting systems is increasing, improving production efficiency, reducing labor costs, and ensuring product quality stability.

6. Conclusion