The sack packaging norms include recommendations for the development and use of packaging solutions and processes and define basic standard know-how or standard procedures. They provide orientation for questions that manufacturers of bulk materials are confronted with on a daily basis.

Both companies have experienced that customers are increasingly paying attention to the cost of empty sacks. The right quality and design of the empty sacks are crucial, as they directly determine the performance at all steps in the value chain. For example, a certain sack design may be cheaper, but, if it fills slower on the filling machine, it will cost millions in lost production. Bulk goods manufacturers have a direct influence on all factors through the design of the packaging process. Here, the sack packaging norms give good indications of how bulk solids manufacturers can ideally act in this area of conflict between cost and quality.

"Together BillerudKorsnäs and Haver & Boecker now offer a set of recommendations to minimize problems and maximize performance in the packaging chain. If manufacturers and users of paper sack packaging follow the recommendations and guidelines and implement usage of these norms in their supply chain, efficient and effective packaging production, filling, handling, storage and transport of the end products will be ensured," says Mikael Peterson, Technical Service Director at BillerudKorsnäs.

Expert knowledge from both companies has been incorporated into the sack packaging norms. BillerudKorsnäs contributes with years of expertise in packaging paper production, practical experience as well as analytical tests, design and developments at the BillerudKorsnäs Packaging Development Centre. Haver & Boecker contributes with their extensive experience in filling technology and handling of powdered bulk materials.

“In our Haver & Boecker Institute we run more than 300 packaging trials per year together with customers. A lot of meetings and discussions with our customers and converters show us again and again, that people are looking for such guidelines for their perfect packaging. The information presented within this norms are collected throughout years of experience and we are pleased to see they will be used worldwide”, explains Thomas Hilling, Manager Haver & Boecker Institute.

The current norms at a glance:

– A-1.1 Sack permeability
– A-2.1 Shelf life
– A-3.1 Sack moisture – curing of paper sacks
– A-4.1 Specifying sack strength
– A-5.1 Balance between sack strength and venting
– A-6.1 Describing a valve sack
– B-1.1 Filling degree
– B-2.1 Valve sealing
– B-3.1 Filling equipment

The already published sack packaging norms are available for free download: https://www.billerudkorsnas.com/…. Registered interested parties will receive all further norms automatically by e-mail. Proposals for new norms can also be submitted on the website.