Why this year we all want to lose weight and look great – and how Sappi’s Fusion Topliner is leading the way

The days when corrugated packaging was little more than a commodity container – designed simply to store, protect and transport its contents – are long gone. Today, the highest-performing containerboards are expected to do much more.  

They must protect and preserve products throughout the supply chain while creating a strong visual impact on the shelf and delivering a memorable unboxing experience. At the same time, they need to enable efficient, cost-effective logistics without compromising performance or sustainability.

And what is the latest must-have attribute that premium containerboard solutions need to offer to maintain broad appeal and versatility? Lightweighting.  

According to Packaging World Insights, today’s most advanced lightweight corrugated structures are capable of reducing material consumption by as much as 25%. No surprise then that lightweighting has become one of the defining trends in the containerboard industry today.  

But not all lightweight containerboards are created equal.  

Cost pressures and CO2 targets

Today’s brands and converters face mounting commercial pressures at the same time as coming under increased scrutiny of their environmental impact. In particular, they are expected to reduce transport-related emissions and address their upstream Scope 3 footprint.

This means that finding the right packaging solution coming from the right supplier has become a twin imperative for brands and converters alike. Sappi’s Fusion Topliner combines lightweight, market-leading quality and performance with the backing of a company with a track record of delivering on stringent decarbonisation targets and recognised as an industry leader in sustainability.  

Fusion Topliner as the full lightweight package

With grammages ranging from 90 to 180g/m2, Fusion Topliner is a premium linerboard that enables lightweighting without compromising strength or performance – thanks to its high-quality virgin fibre construction.

For example, where a 230 g/m² WLC liner is typically specified, Fusion Topliner can achieve the same – or even better – performance at just 180 g/m².

This adds up to measurable business value – inventory and transport savings of approximately 18% for reels and up to 22% for sheets, together with higher production efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint.  

Compared with conventional WLC liners, Fusion Topliner also delivers glue savings of up to 75%. Lower glue consumption further reduces raw material costs while helping to minimise washboarding, resulting in improved print quality and overall packaging performance.

Fusion Topliner offers a range of additional features that help set it apart:

• Outstanding whiteness and brightness combined with exceptional surface consistency deliver superb printability and eye-catching brand presentation
• Unique coating suitable for offset, flexo and digital printing – enabling rapid ink drying and reduced ink consumption
• Fully coated top side complemented by a functional reverse coating  
• Superior flatness and consistent converting quality  
• First-class runnability for reliable and efficient processing  
• Short lead times backed by responsive, customer-focused service