- type
- concept
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- Tue Apr 07 2026 02:00:00 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)
- updated
- Tue Apr 07 2026 02:00:00 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)
- sources
- raw/articles/PRD
- tags
- paper-types industry products classification
Paper Types Overview
Overview
Paper type is the most critical matching dimension, weighted at 30% in the wiki/concepts/matching-algorithm and functioning as a binary gate: a buyer of one paper type cannot use another. Understanding the different paper types, their GSM ranges, and their end uses is essential for the marketplace's specification-based matching.
Paper Type Classification
| Paper Type | GSM Range | Fiber Type | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| wiki/entities/kraftliner | 100-440 | Virgin | Corrugated box outer layer |
| wiki/entities/testliner | 90-300 | Recycled | Recycled linerboard (cost-effective alternative) |
| wiki/entities/fluting / CMP | 80-200 | Recycled/Virgin | Corrugated medium (fluted layer) |
| Duplex Board | 180-500 | Mixed | Packaging cartons (white front, grey back) |
| Triplex Board | 180-500 | Mixed | Heavy-duty packaging (three layers) |
| Sack Kraft | 70-115 | Virgin | Industrial bags (cement, chemicals, food) |
| White Top Testliner | 115-250 | Mixed | Printable packaging (white coated surface) |
| wiki/entities/coated-paper | Coated Board (LWC/HWC) | 200-450 | Mixed |
| MG Kraft | 40-120 | Virgin | Wrapping, interleaving |
| Greaseproof | 30-80 | Virgin | Food packaging (oil/fat resistant) |
| Tissue (parent rolls) | 13-30 | Mixed | Tissue products (parent rolls for converters) |
Corrugated Packaging Group
The largest segment in the marketplace. Corrugated board is made from three components:
- Linerboard (outer layers): wiki/entities/kraftliner (virgin fiber, stronger) or wiki/entities/testliner (recycled fiber, cheaper)
- Fluting (inner corrugated layer): wiki/entities/fluting / CMP provides the wave structure
- White Top Testliner: A testliner with a white surface layer, used when printing quality matters
These are the most commonly traded surplus papers because corrugated packaging production is massive (C-flute alone has ~80% market share in corrugated) and generates significant side trims and overruns.
Board Group
- Duplex Board: Two layers, typically white on front and grey on back. Used for folding cartons (cereal boxes, pharmaceutical packaging). GSM 180-500.
- Triplex Board: Three layers for extra strength. Used for heavy-duty packaging applications. GSM 180-500.
- Coated Board (LWC/HWC): Coated for glossy or matte finish. Used for premium packaging and retail displays. GSM 200-450.
Specialty Group
- Sack Kraft: High-strength virgin fiber paper for industrial bags. Must withstand filling, stacking, and transport stress. GSM 70-115.
- MG Kraft: Machine-glazed on one side, used for wrapping and interleaving. GSM 40-120.
- Greaseproof: Dense structure that resists oil and fat penetration. Used for food packaging (bakery bags, fast food wrappers). GSM 30-80. Often requires food contact certification.
Tissue
Tissue parent rolls are sold as surplus to converters who cut and process them into consumer products (toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels). Very low GSM (13-30), high volume, specialized converting equipment required.
Paper Type in Container Compatibility
For wiki/concepts/container-assembly, paper types are grouped into four compatible groups. Items from different groups cannot share a container:
| Group | Paper Types |
|---|---|
| Packaging | kraftliner, testliner, fluting, white_top_testliner, duplex, triplex, coated_board |
| Sack | sack_kraft |
| Wrapping | mg_kraft, greaseproof |
| Tissue | tissue |
Corrugated Flute Types
When dealing with wiki/entities/fluting, the flute type matters:
| Flute | Height | Flutes/m | Market Share | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.8mm | 108-118 | ~10% | Cushioning, fragile goods |
| B | 2.5mm | 150-154 | ~20% | Canned goods, POS displays |
| C | 3.5mm | 128-132 | ~80% | General shipping boxes (dominant) |
| E | 1.2mm | 290-310 | Growing | Retail-ready packaging |
| F | 0.8mm | 400+ | Niche | Micro-flute, direct print |
Standard Roll Widths
Paper rolls come in standard widths (mm): 610, 660, 710, 760, 810, 860, 910, 960, 1000, 1020, 1060, 1120, 1200, 1260, 1280, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1680, 1700, 1760, 1800, 1880, 1900, 1930, 2000, 2060, 2100, 2200, 2240, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2800.
Side trims (a major source of surplus) are the narrow strips left over when master rolls are cut to these standard widths.
Sources
- raw/articles/PRD -- Appendix A (Paper Types and GSM Ranges, Corrugated Flute Types, Standard Roll Widths), section 5.3
Related
- wiki/concepts/matching-algorithm -- paper type is the 30%-weighted binary gate
- wiki/concepts/spec-based-matching -- paper type as a core specification dimension
- wiki/concepts/container-assembly -- paper group compatibility for containers
- wiki/concepts/quality-grades -- quality grading across paper types
- wiki/entities/kraftliner -- virgin fiber linerboard
- wiki/entities/testliner -- recycled fiber linerboard
- wiki/entities/fluting -- corrugated medium