7 Industries That Benefit Most from Using Paperboard Boxes

In today’s world of sustainability, cost pressure, and strong consumer expectations, paperboard boxes have become a go-to choice for smart packaging.

Not only are they lightweight, strong, and eco-friendly, but they also offer excellent branding possibilities.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 7 industries that benefit most from using paperboard box packaging and how your business can take advantage of this packaging solution. Keep reading!

What Makes Paperboard Boxes So Valuable?

Before diving into industries, let’s quickly review why paperboard (or paperboard-based packaging) is such a strong option:

• It’s renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable, with a lower carbon footprint as compared to many plastics.
• Offers versatility in design and printing, allowing for eye-catching branding and customized shapes.
• Provides strength and protection, especially when layered, coated, or combined with corrugated structures.
• It is often cost-effective in most uses, particularly when factors of waste, material handling, and disposal are taken into account.

Since these are its fortes, most industries are now looking to paperboard packaging as a central component of their supply chain. Listed below are seven sectors that especially gain from it.

1. Food & Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry is likely the largest use of paperboard packaging. It's found in cereal boxes, snack packaging, frozen food packaging, take out meals, and there are many reasons for this.

• Food-grade paperboard can be coated or treated for moisture protection and barrier protection.
• Ventilated or perforated paperboard will accommodate fresh produce.
• The food industry is committed to sustainability, and paperboard is what consumers want for greener packaged products.

Because of this, companies that produce cookies, dairy, frozen meals, snacks, and beverages heavily rely on paperboard boxes for their outer or secondary packaging.

2. Pharmaceutical & Healthcare

In the healthcare arena, packaging is vital to safeguard fragile items such as tablets, vials, or medical devices, while communicating information and tampering evidence. Paperboard is suitable for many reasons, for example:

• Many drug cartons, blister pack covers, and personal care boxes are constructed primarily of high-quality paperboard.
• Paperboard construction allows for safety labels, instructions, and branding to be printed right on the package, which matters more in healthcare than other packaging uses.
• Paperboard, in many cases, is much easier to recycle in medical waste streams (when not contaminated), which enhances the sustainability profile.

3. Cosmetics & Personal Care

Beauty, skincare, and grooming products are largely marketing on aesthetics and the packaging has great influence on the consumer's buying experience. Paperboard provides:

• Beautiful prints, embossing, coatings, and die-cut windows to create a sophisticated package.
• A green image—many consumers expect beauty and personal care brands to implement socially conscious materials and programs.
• Protection for products like creams, tubes, powders and accessories to a degree.

For brands wanting the luxury, but also want to show commitment to a socially responsible medium or package, paperboard is the perfect element in this category.

4. Electronics & Technology

Electronic devices and accessories are generally lightweight and fragile, requiring padding, structure, and protection while shipping. Paperboard (used with corrugated or inserts) is effective:

• Strong folding cartons or rigid boxes will hold items like smartphones, headphones, or chargers.
• Internal inserts or partitions made from paperboard can hold and separate items.
• It's lighter than many heavier rigid materials, allowing for less shipping weight and cost.

The industry is also responsive to the versatility of paperboard being used also with foam, molded pulp, or other forms of materials for additional protection.

5. Ecommerce & Retail

Online merchants have to keep products safe as well as delight customers with their unboxing experience. Paperboard can be an ideal material for this purpose in the following ways.

• Custom mailer boxes, subscription boxes, branded ship packaging, and the like are usually paperboard.
• It's great for carrying brand messaging right on the box – logos, slogans, care labels, and more.
• It's easy to store flat and assemble when needed.
• It helps to limit returns from damage and enhances customer satisfaction.

As e-commerce has exploded, more and more businesses are utilizing paperboard to deliver protection and brand awareness together.

6. Food & Beverage Supply Chain (Logistics/ Distribution)

Beyond product packaging, all forms of supply chain packaging are benefiting:

• Secondary cartons, trays, stacking cases and bulk boxes are typically paperboard derivatives.
• This is a lightweight yet structurally sound material during shipping.
• Assists with efficient palletization and space utilization.
• Decreased cost and reduced waste from recyclability of the packaging at the distribution end of the supply chain.

This will all help drive savings, which are especially relevant for larger scale operations, where every pound and dollar saved matters.

7. Giftware / Specialty & Luxury Goods

In the premium and gift marketplace, packaging is part of the experience of the product. Paperboard boxes have become commonplace for:

• Gift boxes, presentation boxes, specialty packaging.
• Incorporating features like magnetic closures, foil stamping, and/or specialty coatings.
• Elevating the perceived value of the product through aesthetics and craftsmanship.
• Finding the balance of aesthetics and environmental considerations.

Luxury brands typically use thicker paperboard stocks or qualities of paper with premium finishes to give the product elegance as well as strength.

Final Words!

At Kolaxo Print, we focus on custom design and production of high-quality paperboard packaging to suit your industry. It doesn’t matter if you are in food & beverage, cosmetics, electronics or e-commerce, we can assist you with:

• Determining the appropriate paperboard grade (folding carton, rigid board, etc.).
• Adding protective features and inserts and coatings.
• Printing and finishing strong branding.
• Cost optimization with sustainability in mind.

Making the switch to or expanding your use of paperboard boxes can lead to lower environmental impact, positive perception from customers and effective operation.