- Environment
Less is more. Next Generation Products for conserving the environment
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NEXT GENERATION – LET THE FUTURE BEGIN
As a family-run company, Progroup operates responsibly and sustainably so it can also benefit generations to come. So when we talk about nextgeneration, we are talking about both: High-quality products and conserving resources as much as possible. 100% use of recovered paper as well as innovative technologies and processes which make maximum use of the potential of recovered paper fibres, minimised resource consumption and the most economical production – for the highest-quality containerboard and corrugated board.
With our nextgeneration concept for the future, we will make it even easier for you in the future: More stability and better processing properties along with reduced volume and weight.
Keep an eye on the future with Progroup. For more efficient packaging, increased warehouse and delivery efficiency, and maximum conservation of resources using eco-friendly technologies.
NEXT FIBRE – LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND STRONG AS AN OX
The journey to producing resource-saving papers began with the concept of the paper machine PM2 in Eisenhüttenstadt. This innovative generation of machine produces lightweight containerboard with grammages of between 70 and 130 g/m². The technically and economically optimised production process results in lightweights with the finest product characteristics: The nextfibre containerboard delivers the best surface finish and strength figures with less use of fibres. Its outstanding processing properties make it the ideal base material for making the best-performing corrugated board sheets.
Raw material saving
100% recovered paper is used for the production of our nextfibre containerboard – while still maintaining maximum quality. The innovative machine technology on which this is all based is our consistent response to the rising energy and raw material prices: Conserving recovered paper as a raw material maintains maximum fibre quality and saves fresh fibres at the same time. Thanks to our in-house kraftliner substitute.
Water saving
A mini revolution: The expansion of our production process to include technologies of the future produces an annual saving at Progroup’s PM3 paper factory, for example, of 80% of the fresh water required compared to the industry average – this is equivalent to the amount of water used annually by around 80,000 people. The crucial factor here in particular is the recycling in a closed water cycle.
Progroups paper machines consume 1.2 to 1.5 cbm/tonne of fresh water in paper production. The industry average is significantly higher at 5 to 6.5 cubic metres per tonne.
Energy saving
It is not just our newly designed processes in relation to our paper machines that are state of the art when it comes to energy demand and supply – Progroup’s PM2 paper factory, for example, generates its own energy from waste recycled materials. This allows us to save fossil fuels and thus avoid additional CO2 emissions year on year.
Next Fibre - Lightweights are reality
SWL- Line - The “green” basis for a corrugated board generation.
The PM2 paper machine produces lightweight containerboard with grammages of between 70 and 130 g/m². PM2 is our response to the high energy and raw material prices that we are seeing. The machine’s high-tech features enable nextfibre papers to be produced economically with lower grammages and less use of fibres.
- Gentle drum pulping process
- High paper homogeneity
- Use of high-quality kraftliner and kraftliner substitutes from own production
Proliner - Grammage range 70 - 135 g/m²
The “green” basis for a new corrugated board generation.
- Lightweight, single-ply high-performance testliner 3 in the grammage range of ≤ 90g/m2
- Thanks to the paper machine configuration which is selected, good strength characteristics in respect of SCT, CMT and bursting strengths are achieved despite low grammages.
- Ideal for use in lightweight corrugated board and packaging
- Resource-conserving use of raw materials, along with optimum strength characteristics.
- The full strength potential is displayed in combination with adapted corrugated geometries of the corrugated board (nextboard®).
Special properties:
- Promedium and Proliner from the SLW-line are manufactured in a way that conserves resources and save the environment an average of 52% of CO2 emissions. The greater number of linear metres per reel also helps to save CO2 during transport.
Use
- In light protective and non-load-bearing packaging, trays for food, toiletries and cosmetic products.
Approval
- Approved for use in contact with food according to XXXVI Recommendation of the German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and, thanks to its FSC® certification (FSC® C106924), conserves the environment and resources.
Promedium - Grammage range 70 - 135 g/m²
The “green” basis for a new corrugated board generation.
- Lightweight, single-ply high-performance corrugating medium in the grammage range of ≤ 90g/m2
- Thanks to the paper machine configuration which is selected, good strength characteristics in respect of SCT, CMT and bursting strengths are achieved despite low grammages.
- Ideal for use in lightweight corrugated board and packaging
- Resource-conserving use of raw materials, along with optimum strength characteristics.
- The full strength potential is displayed in combination with adapted corrugated geometries of the corrugated board (nextboard®).
Special properties:
- Promedium and Proliner from the SLW-line are manufactured in a way that conserves resources and save the environment an average of 52% of CO2 emissions. The greater number of linear metres per reel also helps to save CO2 during transport.
Use
- For example for use with microflutes.
Approval
- Approved for use in contact with food according to XXXVI Recommendation of the German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and, thanks to its FSC® certification (FSC® C106924), conserves the environment and resources.
What customers repeatedly want to know – questions and answers
We have put together for you the answers to the most frequently asked questions about a wide range of different topics relating to paper production and safe use with foodstuffs. If your concern or question has not been addressed, we ask you to get in touch with us.
What exactly is "nextgeneration" and what are the nextgeneration products?
With high levels of investment and consistent development work over many years, Progroup has completely reconceived the notions of corrugated board and corrugated board packaging. The concept of nextgeneration represents innovative manufacturing processes and a series of nextgeneration products: nextfibre® containerboard, nextboard® corrugated board and nextbox® packaging which our experienced packaging partners in Central Europe manufacture.
NEXT BOARD – IMPROVED ARCHITECTURE, MORE STRENGTH
nextboard corrugated board is made from nextfibre high-performance papers. In addition, it is noted for having a smaller volume than conventional corrugated board sheets – while still having the same and in some cases even a higher strength. This is achieved because the corrugated board has a completely different structure. New dimensions with the depth of the embossing, the height of the bridge and the partition are creating new corrugated board designs. The result: less material used, lower volume, better ECT values, increased compressive strength.
This means that nextboard not only reduces the required storage and transport volume compared to previous corrugated board sheets – nextgeneration customers also need to fill the magazines less often.
Lower volume
With a revised design, nextboard takes up 15% less volume than conventional products while retaining the same strength. What this means: you gain 15% more storage volume, save every seventh truckload, and have fewer magazines to change during production. And at the same time you are helping to conserve the environment.
Higher performance
Save resources without compromising: the structure of nextboard produces even more homogeneous, smoother surfaces without a ripple effect and therefore a perfect printed image. The processing properties of our slim high-performance corrugated board sheets are also outstanding in terms of their exactness and edge radii.
Higher stability
Despite using less material and having a slim cross section, nextboard boasts better ECT values, increased compressive strength and therefore more stability for your packaging.
This is made possible by the change to the height and width of the flutes and different combinations of the flute radii and shapes: Smaller separations and lower heights of the flute shorten the “free clamping length” and increase the number of support points for greater load-bearing capacity on the surface.
Our performance promise
The new corrugated board generation: Slimmer, lighter, same performance
Thanks to newly developed corrugated board designs, Progroup has successfully managed to achieve higher ECT values as well as improved compressive strength with less use of materials. The change to the height and width of the flutes and the radiuses of the wave shape in different combinations are the key to optimising performance. Smaller separations and lower heights of the flute make the “free clamping length” shorter, the number of support points increases, which in turn increases the durability.
In addition, this creates a largely flat paper surface which enables a clean, uniform printing result to be achieved. A disruptive ripple effect is effectively prevented.
The product advantages at a glance:
- Lighter and stronger: you get a high-performance product that achieves a 10 % higher ECT value with the same raw material input
- Faster and better: Your processing procedures are optimised because with nextboard® you get a product with higher compressive stiffness
- Optimal and outstanding: your print results achieve a visibly higher quality due to the optimised corrugated board architecture
- Cheaper and more compact: your logistics save 15% on transport costs thanks to a reduced transport volume
- Sustainable and ecological: you benefit from an enhanced corporate image with improved eco-balance and reduced logistics costs
What customers repeatedly want to know – questions and answers
We have put together for you the answers to the most frequently asked questions about a wide range of different topics relating to paper production and safe use with foodstuffs. If your concern or question has not been addressed, we ask you to get in touch with us.
What exactly is nextgeneration and what are the nextgeneration products?
With high levels of investment and consistent development work over many years, Progroup has completely reconceived the notions of corrugated board and corrugated board packaging. The concept of nextgeneration represents innovative manufacturing processes and a series of nextgeneration products: nextfibre® containerboard, nextboard® corrugated board and nextbox® packaging which our experienced packaging partners in Central Europe manufacture.
How much CO2 can be saved during transport using nextboard®?
nextboard® corrugated boards weigh less and are thinner, which means that 15 % more m2 can be transported on each truck. However, each truck load is heavier overall due to the additional quantity. As more corrugated board can be transported on each truck, fewer trips are required overall to transport the same amount of corrugated board. 1 in 7 truck journeys can be saved.
Next Box - your packaging for a sustainable future
“Conventional” corrugated board is a thing of the past. With the licensed nextbox label you can offer your customers a new generation of innovative packaging that also consistently satisfies the desire to be sustainable.
Only nextboard corrugated board is used at our selected production partners throughout Europe to create nextbox packaging. Companies that use this packaging have persuasive arguments to put to their eco-conscious consumers - without sacrificing reliable product protection and a high-quality brand image through excellent print results.
You too can embrace the future and our nextgeneration products.
Corrugated sheetboard made to measure
At eleven sites in Europe, Progroup produces high-quality corrugated sheetboard. The product range includes a wide selection of profiles of single-wall, double-wall or triple-wall corrugated board. The sheets that are produced on high-tech machines are 100% recyclable.
