Kartonstroom

Kartonstroom is a term used in Dutch industrial logistics and packaging to describe the end-to-end flow of cartonboard materials and finished carton products through the supply chain. It covers raw material sourcing (pulp, paper, adhesives), production steps (papermaking, corrugating if applicable, coating, printing, die-cutting, folding), inventory handling, and outbound distribution, as well as the post-consumer recycling stream.

Purpose and scope: it aims to optimize throughput, minimize handling times, reduce stockouts and waste. It is increasingly managed with integrated planning systems such as ERP and MES, and supported by automation (conveyors, sortation, palletizing) and tracking technologies (barcodes, RFID).

Applications: it is used by cardboard manufacturers, box manufacturers, carton converters, retailers, and logistics service providers. It also encompasses sustainability considerations, such as recycling rates and circular economy initiatives.

Key concepts: lead times, capacity planning, inventory levels, quality control, waste management, and energy efficiency.

Environmental and policy context: regulations encourage recycling and responsible sourcing; the kartonstroom is often analyzed in life cycle assessments.

See also: packaging, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, supply chain management, recycling.