Kraft Paper
We take pride in delivering the highest quality paper and packaging products to customers worldwide. The types of kraft paper solutions we offer have unique qualities to meet various requirements across multiple industries.
The PG Paper sales team frequently hears the question, “What is kraft, and what are its different uses?” To answer this, we’ve outlined key information on kraft, its applications, and the types of packaging we provide.
What is Kraft Paper?
Kraft is a versatile and sustainable paper and packaging solution which is used across a variety of industries.
The term kraft paper covers a variety of products which are produced using a chemical conversion of wood into wood pulp and separating the lignin and cellulose fibres.
By reducing lignin content and increasing the sulfur ratio during production, this process creates a high-strength material, ideal for most packaging needs, whether in the form of kraft paper sheets or kraft paper roll.
The Process
Although all kraft paper is made using the same process, small variations can significantly impact the final product. For example, using virgin pulp results in kraft paper with high strength and tear resistance, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications. In contrast, kraft paper made from recycled pulp has lower strength and tear resistance but still works well for heavy-duty packaging and offers greater environmental benefits.
This material can come in either a natural shade or bleached form. Natural shade kraft is more durable because the bleaching process reduces strength. However, bleached kraft paper offers better printability due to its smoother surface. Additionally, kraft paper can be classified by its finish: Machine-Finished (MF) or Machine-Glazed (MG), which reflect the specific finishing method used during production.
Different Types of Kraft Paper
At PG Paper by working closely with our global mill partners, we’re able to provide our customers with a variety of kraft paper roll and kraft paper sheets. Below are some of the most popular types of kraft paper we provide:
Natural Kraft
Unbleached or natural kraft is best known for its high strength qualities and is predominantly a brown kraft paper. It is a favoured choice for various applications, particularly in the food industry for food wrapping and packaging, as well as kraft paper bags.
Sack Kraft
Possessing great strength and tear resistance, sack kraft paper is used for various industrial packaging requirements where high strength is needed. This material is for cement, food and agricultural bags to name a few, meeting the demands of heavy-duty packaging with its ability to withstand substantial weight.
Bleached Kraft
Many industries seek bleached kraft paper for its high strength and smooth, attractive finish. This type of kraft paper commonly serves as the material for shopping bags, sugar bags, flour bags, and milk bags. It meets the needs of end-users who value both durability and visual appeal.
MF (Machine Finished) Kraft
MF kraft is an uncoated material with high stiffness and is developed to be used within converting machines. This kraft material has a smooth finish and incredible runnability, and is most commonly used in the food industry for end uses such as takeaway and fast-food bags.
MG (Machine Glazed) Kraft
MG kraft offers similar qualities to MF kraft but features a smooth, glossy finish on one side due to its special coating. This coating enhances both rigidity and durability while improving printability, making MG kraft an ideal choice for shopping bags, boutique bags, and flexible packaging applications.
Kraft Liner Board (KLB)
A high grammage paper that is used for the production of boxes and corrugated packaging. KLB is a very strong material and is produced to withstand difficult conditions where moisture is apparent or where heavy pressure is applied. This specialised kraft paper is a great packaging option for when structural integrity is paramount.
PG Paper’s recent collaboration with Opal offers a unique, lighter shade of virgin Kraft Liner Board (KLB) alongside 100% recycled fluting and testliner grades within the containerboard portfolio.
Kraft Paper Uses
A wide range of industries use kraft paper for various purposes:
Kraft Paper Bags
Kraft paper bags are one of the most common types of kraft paper, widely used for shopping applications and industrial bags. Kraft is an inherently strong and durable material which ensures the bag can withstand the weight of purchased goods. Overall, making it an excellent choice for shopping bags. Kraft paper is biodegradable and can be recycled easily, which is another reason kraft paper bags are a popular option for many retailers and supermarkets.
Heavy-duty industrial bags are often produced using sack kraft paper due to its robustness and resilience. Sack kraft is strong enough to withstand the significant weight of industrial materials such as cement and coal, and offers durability during transport, storing and handling processes.
Food Wrap & Packaging
The food industry widely uses kraft paper, particularly for food packaging such as sandwich or meat wrapping. Kraft materials, in particularly MG (Machine Glazed) and MF (Machine Finished) bleached kraft, are used in food wrapping and is designed to be safe for direct contact with the food. These kraft materials are also easily customisable, which allows brands to print their branding on the wrap whilst continuing to uphold food safety standards.
Boxes / Corrugation
Kraft is a popular material used for the production of corrugated board boxes. These boxes are produced using kraft liner board (KLB), a high-strength kraft variant which is known for its high grammage and robustness. Kraft boxes are extensively used throughout the food industry to help foods be stored effectively. As many food products are required to be stored in moist conditions, KLB is used to withstand demanding conditions associated with moisture-prone settings.
Overall, kraft is not restricted to the above uses. With the increasing awareness of environmental concerns most companies are turning to kraft paper suppliers as an economically and environmentally friendly solution.
In contrast to other paper production methods, the Kraft process can use all types of wood, almost all chemicals used in the production process are from recycled and reusable sources and by products of the production are recycled where possible or reused for other purposes.