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Cartonboard, or cardboard as it is sometimes called, is the essential raw material for carton production and PrintPark’s main material in its custom solutions. In Europe, about 7 million tonnes are manufactured each year, and whilst there are many variants, all cartonboard is manufactured from renewable resources.
All grades are produced using a multiply construction, and the materials used to make each layer determine the differences between four basic grades: some use 100% pulp as a raw material, some use 100% recovered fibre, and others use a combination of both.
Virtually all cartonboard manufactured in Europe has a coating on the top or printing surface, designed to enhance gloss and print quality, providing brands with high-end solutions that look sharp and feel premium. However, uncoated cartonboard is available for specialised uses such as blister cards.
In addition to the basic grades, PrintPark uses variants adapted for special applications. For example, special additives can be included in the cartonboard to make it resistant to water and moisture, suitable for use in the chilled and frozen food sector. Plastic coatings can be applied—usually by extrusion coating—directly onto the cartonboard to provide a waterproof and greaseproof barrier, as used in pet food packaging. Cartonboard can also be laminated with foil or metallised polyester, giving the material a metallic finish.
By selecting the right type of cartonboard and applying the appropriate finishes, PrintPark ensures its packaging solutions meet the highest standards of functionality, sustainability, and visual appeal. This versatility allows the material to be adapted across industries, from food and beverages to retail and specialty products, making cartonboard a truly indispensable resource in modern packaging.