Corrugated packaging used for packing produce, especially for export markets, has to be of exceptional quality to perform in conditions assocated with cold chain distribution, which involves high levels of humidity and extreme temperature changes. In particular, the fluting, often referred to as the “medium”, needs to have special performance characteristics to achieve adequate ECT (edge crush test) and BCT (box compression test) results.

The SKG corrugated plant at Culiacan in Mexico is heavily involved in produce packaging but until 2009 depended upon imported fluting from the USA to achieve the performance required. During 2009, a development programme with SKG mills resulted in local production of a fluting material which offers superior performance compared to the imported US sourced material and also offered improved runability on corrugators, with resulting cost benefits. This is a good example of improved sustainability, by significantly reducing the need for transporting raw materials over long distances.