wellpapp

Wellpapp, known in German as Wellpappe, is a lightweight but strong packaging material widely used for shipping and consumer packaging. In English it is called corrugated cardboard or corrugated fiberboard. It consists of a fluted corrugated sheet placed between two flat linerboards and bonded with an adhesive, typically starch-based. The flute provides resilience and cushioning, while the linerboards give a smooth surface for printing and handling.

Configurations range from single-wall (one flute) to double-wall (two flutes) and triple-wall (three flutes), offering increasing strength for heavier or larger packaging. Common flute profiles include A, B, C, and E, which vary in thickness and rigidity and influence printing quality and stacking strength. The manufacturing process uses a corrugator to form the flute, glue it to the liners, and then convert the board into boxes or displays through scoring, cutting, and printing.

Wellpapp is used in a wide array of packaging applications, including shipping cartons, retail packaging, e-commerce enclosures, and point-of-sale displays. Its combination of light weight, rigidity, printability, and cost efficiency makes it a dominant packaging material in many industries. It can be custom-fitted to specific products and can be designed for protective cushioning, stack strength, and moisture resistance with coatings or treatments.

Environmental aspects are prominent in its assessment. Wellpapp is highly recyclable and widely accepted by recycling programs when not heavily coated with non-paper finishes. Recycled fibers can be used to produce new linerboards and fluting. Sustainability considerations include the efficiency of the recycling stream, the use of sustainable fiber sources, and the balance between protective packaging needs and material reuse. The material’s prominence in packaging continues to grow with a focus on recyclability and end-of-life management.