
European packaging board maker Reno De Medici (RDM) Group has revealed that its mill in Arnsberg, Germany, has been used to pioneer new coatings with improved pigments to enhance the colours of recycled cartonboard.
The company, which plans to carry out these tests at its other mills, said that fibres from recycled board have a naturally unique tone and finish.
It also stated that the enhanced coatings allow RDM’s recycled boards to reach higher brightness levels, thereby allowing brands and retailers to produce sharper, more vibrant packaging with clearer text, logos, and images.
RDM asserts that the new material is produced from 100% recycled fibres, helping brands meet the environmental standards increasingly sought by consumers.
The packaging board maker’s GD liner and coated white-lined chipboard products have a top coating, providing a smoother, glossier surface that is claimed to enhance both printability and brightness.
Technically, brightness is determined by the percentage of light reflected from the board’s surface using a daylight filter, in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization 2470-2 standard, the company said.
A brightness level above 80% is considered a benchmark for premium boards, and the company’s Arnsberg mill has achieved a brightness of 86%.
RDM’s GD liner products, Serviliner and Flexoliner, will be manufactured to this specification.
The company stated that these can be used as liners for corrugated cardboard in packaging for cleaning products and detergents, displays, and point-of-sale packs, as well as large boxes for items such as televisions.