ABRAPRINT Project.

Objectives: The practical objectives of the project are the determination and quantification of the corrugated fibreboard packaging factors that affects the surface resistance as well as the abrasiveness during transport operations. The operative objective is the determination of the abrasion resistance and abrasiveness of corrugated fibreboard packaging and the development of the methodology to measure both properties.

The designing of a packaging is done considering protective aspects taking into account the physical-mechanical characteristics according to standards and assuring the correct behaviour during transport operations. Another design consideration is the aesthetical aspect, taking care of printing and varnishing processes to obtain an optimum result.

However all those efforts are worthless if after transport operations the external aspect of the packaging is not the one expected. The presence of abrasions, scratches or the lost of key information (the one contained in labels, bar codes or photographs) may lead to consider that the products are not acceptable with the consequent return of goods, complaints, money and confidence losses.

Also damages on the product surfaces may occur due to abrasions caused by packaging inner surface contact that also results in customers’ complaints.

This project has the aim to reduce all the damages on both product and corrugated fibreboard packaging surfaces by researching the factors of influence and develop methodologies to quantify the abrasion resistance and the abrasiveness of that king of packaging.

Duration: Years 2008-2009

Funding entity: IMPIVA (Institute for Small and Medium Industry of the Generalitat Valenciana)

Partners: Cartonajes de La Plana and AIDIMA (subcontracted)