Wellpappen

Wellpappen, or corrugated cardboard, is a packaging material made of a fluted corrugated sheet bonded between two liner sheets. The core is a wavy sheet (the flute) that provides cushioning and stiffness, while the outer liners offer surface, protection, and printability. It is commonly produced from paper grades such as kraft or recycle content and is typically glued with starch- or synthetic-based adhesives.

The production process typically involves corrugating the middle flute sheet, gluing it to one or two linerboards, and then trimming to the desired size. Printing and coatings can be added for branding or protective functions. The material is available in a range of thicknesses and strengths, depending on the number of flute layers and the flute profile used.

Wellpappen is commonly categorized by the number of walls: single-wall (one flute), double-wall (two fluted cores), and triple-wall (three). Flute profiles vary (for example, finer or thicker options), offering different cushioning, stacking strength, and surface smoothness. The choice of liners and adhesives also affects finish, moisture resistance, and recyclability.

Uses of wellpappen include shipping cartons, product displays, point-of-sale packaging, and protective inserts. It is widely used in consumer goods distribution due to its light weight, strength, and ability to be printed with branding.

Environmental aspects: corrugated cardboard is highly recyclable and commonly made with a substantial content of recycled fibers. Proper recycling depends on avoiding incompatible laminates or coatings. Its recyclability and lower carbon footprint relative to many plastics contribute to its prominence in sustainable packaging.

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