Paperboard meets stringent quality criteria

Production in Germany of After Eight in its 400g pack now uses Performa for the outer printed carton. This range is a bleached mineral coated board containing CTMP aimed specifically at cartons for high quality packaging such as confectionery, food and cigarettes. In this application a 255 g/m2 paperboard is used compared to the previous 280 g/m2 alternative material.
Keeping quality and meeting the industry's Robinson Value tests for odour and taste were the most important factors. "We need a clean material that we can use in direct contact with our products,"says Joachim Soditt
There are no short cuts when it comes to testing packaging material in such applications. Testing takes as long as the expected life of the products, which in the case of chocolate, can be several months. Soditt explains that any packaging material has to live up to the same life expectation as the chocolate Nestlé produces.
"After Eight is one of our most famous products," says Soditt. It is a sensitive product and a good test of Performa's performance capabilities.
" Also we must be careful when changing any aspect of our products" says Soditt. There are so many factors to be considered - different components can inter-react - inks and varnishes, glues and packaging material. "At least 20 different parts of the specification are important," he points out.
Another vital factor is runability. Production of confectionery products is a continuous process and any packaging material must be able to fit smoothly into the production sequence.
"Very high quality board products offer the opportunity to simplify packaging so cutting production time," adds Soditt.

Unusual step
Enso Paperboards took the step of dealing directly with Nestlé to gain approval. Normally a board manufacturer has limited contact with the end user. It is the converters who turn the basic packaging material into a final packaging product such as a cartons and trays. Joachim Soditt, points out the long term benefits of dealing directly with the board manufacturer as well as the converters.
"We can pass on information directly. Enso gets a better understanding of our production needs. In the longer term, we can get a more tailored product with everyone talking together."
For Enso Paperboards, this is a first step in the company's ambitions to grow in this sector of the market, opening up other opportunities for use with Nestlé food and confectionery products.

Captions:
Fig.1: Joachim Soditt, head of packaging development at Nestlé.
Fig.2: Enso Performa/After Eight, Nestlé.

For further information please contact:
Enso Oyj, Enso Paperboards
Yrjö Aho
FIN-55800 Imatra, Finland
Tel: +358 2046 224; Fax: +358 2046 24767
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