AquaKote™ Unbleached Paperboard

AquaKote™ unbleached paperboard (also known as coated unbleached kraft or CUK) is a high-strength sheet when both wet and dry and is ideal for beverage multipacks and frozen food applications.

Available in a wide range of grades, AquaKote is designed to provide package integrity, line efficiency, and superior performance even in environments with high humidity. It offers high resistance to tear, puncture, and corner crush.

Made from a blend of renewable wood-based fiber from sustainably managed forests and between five and 18 percent recycled fiber, AquaKote offers a superior printing surface for high-quality graphics.

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AquaKote Sustainability Benefits

Renewable Resource

Paperboard products like AquaKote unbleached paperboard are made from plant-based fiber, a renewable resource

Recyclability

Paperboard cartons are generally viewed as being widely recycled with >90% of U.S. communities having access to recycling for non-poly-coated paperboard and 60% of communities having access to recycling for poly-coated paperboard (American Forest and Paperboard Association’s Access to Recycling Study 2021)

Renewable Energy

We use up to 65% renewable biomass energy in the manufacturing of our paperboard

AquaKote Features

Fiber Procurement and Chain of Custody

Graphic Packaging International is compliant with Forest Stewardship Council®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ Chain of Custody forest certification standards

Environmental and Safety

Complies with California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California Proposition 65)
Complies with European Union Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
Contains no REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) at levels above the 0.1% threshold
Complies with CONEG/Toxics in Packaging laws and with Article 11 of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC)

Compostability

Paperboard is manufactured from plant-based fiber from sustainably managed forests. As there is no specific test for paper compostability, it is recommended that ASTM 6400, 6868, or similar test methods are used to verify the compostable nature of paperboard or paperboard packaging.

Manufacturing

Mills are third-party certified to the ISO 9001: Quality Management System standards

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AquaKote Product Information

Applications

Basket carrier multipacks
Fully enclosed multipacks
Wrap and clip-style multipacks

Benefits

Excellent printability and glue adherence

AquaKote provides a superior printing surface that is engineered to deliver excellent print results and a cleaner running press
Multiple layers of coating provide a clean surface for high-quality graphics with a naturally beautiful brown back
AquaKote is engineered as a high-strength sheet both wet and dry, that provides high stiffness with high resistance to tear, puncture and corner crush and provides efficient, reliable performance on packaging lines

Consistent performance in a variety of environments and converting processes

Carefully monitored board production and testing ensures that AquaKote unbleached paperboard will run consistently well in all of your printing and converting operations
AquaKote is engineered to provide superior tear resistance when in wet and dry environments

Specifications

Basestock Properties	Units	16pt	18pt	20pt	21pt	22pt	24pt	26pt	27pt	28pt	Standard
Caliper	Inches	0.016	0.018	0.020	0.021	0.022	0.024	0.026	0.027	0.028	T-411
Thickness	Microns	406	457	508	533	559	610	660	686	711	T-411
Brightness	GE	GE	79	79	79	79	79	79	79	79	T-452

Compliance

Food contact compliance

FDA and EU compliant for contact with dry, non-fatty foods

Food contact compliance (USA)

21 CFR 176.170 (components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods)
21 CFR 176.180 (components of paper and paperboard in contact with dry foods)

Food contact compliance (EU)

Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Manufactured in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/06 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food