Frequently Asked Questions about Billerud Cartonboard

Billerud cartonboard is a high-performance, fiber-based packaging material made from primary wood fibers sourced from responsibly managed forests. It is designed for demanding applications where strength, printability, and sustainability are critical. The board is used for packaging in segments such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and premium consumer goods.

Billerud offers a broad portfolio of cartonboard grades to match different packaging needs, typically including:

  • Engineered Board for lightweight yet strong retail packs for premium, high-appearance packaging
  • Multilayer board designed for beverage and food service applications

Each grade is optimized for specific performance requirements such as stiffness, runnability, barrier properties, and print quality.
https://www.billerud.com/products

Billerud cartonboard is designed to deliver:

  • High strength and stiffness for reliable performance and potential lightweighting
  • Excellent printability and conversion for standout shelf impact
  • Consistent quality and runnability in high-speed packaging lines
  • Sustainable credentials, typically including recyclability and renewable fiber content

These combined benefits help brand owners reduce material use, improve packaging performance, and strengthen their sustainability profile.

Billerud cartonboard is suitable for a wide range of consumer and industrial packaging, including:

  • Food and confectionery cartons
  • Beverages and cupstock
  • Health & beauty and cosmetics packaging
  • Pharmaceutical and healthcare packs
  • Premium and luxury boxes
  • Retail-ready and shelf-ready packaging

Your choice of grade will depend on product weight, required appearance, regulatory demands, and logistics conditions.

Yes. Billerud offers cartonboard grades that are specially developed and approved for direct and indirect food contact. These grades are produced under controlled conditions and comply with relevant food safety legislation and industry standards in key markets.

For specific certifications, migration testing, or compliance documentation, Billerud provides technical datasheets and regulatory support on request.
https://www.billerud.com/sustainability

Sustainability is a core part of Billerud’s value proposition. Billerud cartonboard typically offers:

  • Renewable raw materials from responsibly managed forests
  • Recyclable and fiber-based material suitable for established recycling systems
  • Production optimized for reduced climate impact and resource efficiency

Billerud is known for its strong sustainability agenda, with third-party certifications (such as FSC® or PEFC™ for raw materials, where applicable) and continuous work to reduce emissions, energy use, and waste along the value chain.
https://www.billerud.com/sustainability

Yes. Billerud cartonboard is fully recyclable in established paper and board recycling streams, provided local systems are available. The material is designed with circularity in mind and made from renewable fresh fibers.

Importantly, no traditional wet‑strength additives (wet‑strength agents) are used in the board. This makes the material easier to break down during the recycling process, supporting high fiber recovery and efficient reprocessing.

Billerud cartonboard is available in a wide range of grammages and calipers to support everything from lightweight consumer packs to robust protective packaging. Typical ranges include light to medium weights for folding cartons and higher grammages for premium or structural applications.

Exact grammage and thickness options depend on the specific grade. Technical datasheets describing basis weight, thickness, stiffness, and strength are available from Billerud for each product.

Billerud cartonboard is engineered for excellent print and conversion performance. Key advantages include:

  • Smooth and bright surfaces for high print quality (offset, flexo, digital, etc.)
  • Reliable behavior in varnishing, foiling, embossing, and other finishing processes
  • Stable dimensional properties and good runnability in high-speed converting lines

This makes it easier for brand owners to achieve premium shelf impact and consistent brand colors across markets.

Yes, Billerud offers functional cartonboard solutions for applications that require added protection, such as:

  • Products designed to perform in cold and humid environments
  • Cupstock applications
  • Boards compatible with functional coatings or barriers for specific product protection needs

The exact barrier solution depends on the product and regulatory requirements. Billerud does not offer material with included barrier coating.

In most cases, yes. Billerud cartonboard is developed to provide good runnability in standard printing, converting, and filling equipment. Its combination of stiffness, strength, and consistency helps reduce breaks, improve uptime, and support high-speed operations.

To ensure optimal performance, Billerud can support you with grade selection, machine trials, and technical guidance during qualification.

Choosing the right grade depends on:

  • Product weight and protection needs
  • Required appearance and print quality
  • Regulatory and food-contact requirements
  • Logistics conditions (humidity, stacking, transport)
  • Sustainability and recyclability targets

Billerud typically supports customers through technical sales and packaging development experts who can recommend suitable grades, help optimize board weight, and verify performance through testing and trials.
https://www.billerud.com/contact-cartonboard

Yes. Beyond supplying cartonboard, Billerud offers services and expertise to help customers improve their packaging, often including:

  • Packaging design and structural optimization
  • Light-weighting and material reduction projects
  • Line performance and converting optimization
  • Sustainability assessments and insights

These services are aimed at lowering total cost, improving brand impact, and reducing environmental footprint.

Billerud operates on a global scale, with a strong footprint in Europe and North America and exports to many other regions. Cartonboard availability and grade portfolios can vary by market, so it’s best to contact Billerud’s local sales or customer service team to confirm options in your region.
https://www.billerud.com/contact-cartonboard

You can request product samples, technical information, and quotations directly from Billerud via the contact forms on the website or through your local sales representative.

Providing details about your product, application, and current material will help Billerud recommend the most suitable cartonboard grade and specification.
https://www.billerud.com/contact-cartonboard