Superior Paperboard Packaging

Scion is developing new high-performance grades of paperboard to support export industries in maintaining their competitiveness in the global market.

Transportation of horticultural, meat and fish products in refrigerated environments, often in corrugated boxes, places high performance demands on packaging. Movement of paperboard (known as “creep”) under cycling high humidities is a major cause of box failure in coolstore environments. Packaging must have superior strength to withstand coolstores, yet remain light enough to reduce shipping weights and material costs.

Producing superior paperboard is the goal of a long-term research programme supported by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. A major focus of our research is the development of new creep-resistant grades. The aim of this work is to enable corrugated board to be manufactured from less material, reducing both cost and wastage.

Our expert staff have worked closely with packaging manufacturers over many years to develop processes and products relevant to their needs.

Scion’s research programme includes:

·    Fibre processing, selection and combination
We enable manufacturers to produce quality paperboard by using the appropriate fibre furnish.

·    Chemical additives, treatments and coatings
We develop processes and products that improve the quality of paperboard packaging in terms of performance, look and printability.

·    Finite element modelling and structural design analysis
We can model box behaviour to predict end-use performance.

Unique analytical capabilities

Scion offers a number of testing services to optimise board and box manufacturing, including:

·    Corrugated Box Compression Creep Testers
Testing under an environment of cycling humidity. Assesses the number of humidity cycles that can be tolerated at any given compression load.
·    ECCTX Creep Measurements
Determines creep properties using 20 corrugated board specimens in one environmental chamber. Secondary creep rates at different compressive loads used to calculate three creep parameters.
·    Lock-in Thermography
Infrared techniques that evaluate stress and damage states in corrugated paperboard boxes under pressure. This capability arises from collaborative research with Monash University in Australia.

Examples of our achievements

Modelling box behaviour

Scion has developed a finite element analysis model to measure creep behaviour in corrugated boxes, taking into account the high and cycling humidity that occurs in coolstores. This model can determine the impact that handholds, ventilation holes, folds and corners have on box performance. By incorporating material properties and design elements, the model will allow the optimal selection of fibre furnish and box design for specific end-use applications.

Avoiding the crush

An invention by Scion measures the stiffness of corrugated board – an important element in reducing the risk of produce damage through faulty packaging. The instrument, known as a “Dynamic Stiffness Tester” or DST, can be used by corrugated board manufacturers to reveal sources of board damage in the manufacturing process. This technology is now being commercialised by Koru Test Ltd. 

Commercial opportunities

Scion is working with the Packaging Council of New Zealand to research and develop sustainable packaging solutions.


Contact: Jeremy Warnes