Chemical Composition
Premium packaging grades are manufactured using a hundred percent bleached virgin fibers. The term sbs paperboard refers to solid bleached sulfate, a material where all layers of the board are made from chemical pulp that has been treated to remove lignin. This process results in a bright white sheet that is consistent throughout its thickness.
Because the fibers are not damaged by mechanical grinding, the board has excellent strength and stiffness for its weight.
Surface Smoothness
High quality printing requires a level surface that can hold fine dots and vibrant colors. Most sbs paperboard is coated with a layer of clay or other minerals on one or both sides to improve its ink receptivity. This coating fills in the gaps between the fibers, creating a finish that is suitable for luxury cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging.
The white base ensures that the colors remain true and do not shift toward yellow or brown.
Sensory Purity
Absence of recycled content makes this material ideal for direct food contact and odor sensitive products. There is no risk of old inks or mineral oils migrating from the board into the contents. Because the chemical pulping process removes the natural resins from the wood, the board is also neutral in smell and taste.
This purity is a primary reason for its use in the chocolate and tobacco industries.
