Boxes that withstand humidity and transport, without wax or laminates
Water, moisture and grease barriers, plus anti-slip and anti-abrasion finishes applied on the corrugator or off-line, without changing how you work.
Water-based
Designed for recycling and repulping, compatible with your current processes.
Predictable converting
Compatible with cold-set and hot-melt gluing, validated at your plant and your customer’s.
Where you already apply
Wet end, dry end, off-line or flexo.
Technical validation
Pilot trial first; scale up after.
What your corrugator can offer
More technical value for your customers, without changing the industrial logic of your operation.
Replace wax and laminates
Move to repulpable water-based systems aligned with current and upcoming regulations.
Secure convertibility
Controlled printability and joint and flute gluing, including at your customer’s plant.
Withstand real logistics
Humidity, rubbing, stacking and sea freight: the conditions the box has to withstand.
Differentiate your offer
Specific solutions for food, agriculture, consumer goods and industry.
What changes in your structure
The same protection, with a material recyclers can actually recover.
Today
Waxed box
- Paraffin / wax
- Kraft liner
- Flute
- Kraft liner
Wax contaminates repulping and is often rejected.
With a water-based coating
Box with a water-based barrier
- Water-based barrier
- Kraft liner
- Flute
- Kraft liner
Repulpable with the rest of the board.
A technical route for each need
The most common corrugator applications, with the recommended coatings and how to choose between them.
Water barrier
Fruit boxes, chilled goods and packaging exposed to direct water. Keeps Cobb low so the box keeps its strength.
- HydraBan: high dilution and good Cobb at low cost.
- Michem Coat and VaporCoat: for higher demands.
Moisture barrier (MVTR)
Cold chain, frozen goods and humid environments, where vapor weakens the box in transit.
- VaporCoat: maximum vapor resistance.
- VaporBase + topcoat: combined system for superior performance.
Grease and oil barrier
Processed and industrial foods where grease migrates and stains the package before the point of sale.
- Plate Kote: functional level for standard applications.
- Michem Coat 50 and VaporCoat: when a high Kit rating is required.
Abrasion resistance
Boxes that travel long distances and must arrive without scuffs or loss of appearance.
- Nomar: rub resistance for corrugated.
- ResistoCoat and Coat 40 Plus: for high-traffic logistics.
Release properties
Clean release for fresh, frozen and bake-in applications where the product must not stick to the board.
- VaporCoat: controlled release for fresh/frozen.
- Michem Bake and dedicated systems for bake-in niches.
Anti-slip
More stable pallets and fewer warehouse falls thanks to a controlled friction coefficient.
- CleanGrip: standard option for corrugators.
- GlossCoat and SofTak: higher slide-angle performance.
Skin pack
Anchoring between corrugated board and film so the film does not peel off.
- Michem Tite 242AF and 335AF for general configurations.
- Selection based on ink coverage and coat weight.
Specialty treatments
Corrosion inhibition, anti-static or heat resistance for specific requirements.
- Corrosion inhibitors, antistatics, and heat-resistant OPVs.
- Technical formulations by substrate, process, and final specification.
How to choose the coating without adding risk
Before scaling up to production, validate these points in order.
Recommended test methods
COBB (2 minutes)
Measures liquid water absorption in paper/board.
MVTR (ASTM E96)
Evaluates moisture vapor transmission.
3M Kit (oil & grease)
Determines grease and oil resistance.
Sutherland / COF
Controls abrasion behavior and non-skid performance.
Validation steps
- Define substrate, use conditions, and functional priority: water, grease, moisture, rub, or release.
- Select application method and point: wet end, dry end, off-line, or flexo.
- Evaluate impact on printability, drying, and corrugator speed.
- Confirm regulatory requirements if applicable: FDA, BfR, EU regulation.
- Validate bonding with cold-set and/or hot-melt at your plant and the customer's.
- Run a pilot trial to tune coat weight and adhesive before full production.
Resources for corrugators
Tools and guides to make better technical decisions in your corrugating projects.
Water barriers
Learn about HydraBan, VaporCoat, and Michem Coat: when to use each and for what requirements.
Technical advice
Have a specific application? Our experts help you select and validate the right solution.
Frequently asked questions
What replaces wax on corrugated boxes?
A water-based water barrier applied on the corrugator or off-line. It protects the box from moisture and repulps with the rest of the board.
Where is the coating applied?
At the wet end, dry end, off-line or on the flexo station, depending on your plant.
Does it affect box gluing?
The coatings are compatible with cold-set and hot-melt gluing. Gluing is validated at your plant and your customer's before production.
Let’s talk about your corrugated project
Tell us the substrate, use, destination and customer. We will propose the coating, application point and validation plan.
Validate with a sample before you decide
Tell us about your application and an engineer will recommend the right coating for your substrate and your process.
An engineer replies within 24 business hours
Technical recommendation based on your substrate and line
Samples to validate on your own line, at no cost