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    Your guide to the right filling material

    Wrapping paper, bio-chips, foam film, wood wool, paper padding, bubble wrap. Is your head spinning? Don't worry, here you will find tips on the right filling material and cushioning material for your packaging.

    To be on the safe side: optimal filling material for your parcel

    Because you never know what will happen to your package on its way, it's better to cushion the contents carefully. Every product has a suitable packaging material partner: Electrical appliances feel comfortable with antistatic bubble wrap. Heavy packaged goods are perfectly compatible with firm paper padding.

    Whether you send a parcel privately or several times a day for your online business – the inner packaging (filling material and cushioning material) is your best friend when it comes to safe shipping. To help you stay on top of things, we have answers to the most important questions:

    • What is the difference between filling material and cushioning material?
    • Which padding and filling material do you need for which content?
    • What are the advantages and disadvantages of the materials for filling and upholstery?
    • Should you pad boxes with old newspapers?
    • Is there an environmentally friendly cushioning and filling material?

    Quick Tips: Dos & Don'ts of Filling Material

    Rely on paper upholstery

    These pads are ideal for sharp-edged, heavy packaged goods and can be easily disposed of with the old cardboard.

    Pay attention to the quicksand effect

    Heavy packaged goods are not compatible with regularly shaped packaging chips. It is not securely fixed and travels through the box during transport.

    Avoid voluminous filling material

    Do not use bubble wrap when filling cavities. They would need a lot of material that cannot be disposed of as waste paper. Bio-chips are more suitable.

    Upholstery material and filling material: the differences

    Secures & protects

    What is upholstery material?

    You need cushioning material for goods or products that are not underpacked. "Underpacked" means that the product packaging itself already protects the contents from shocks and vibrations during transport. If this is not the case, you should use other packaging materials such as bubble wrap, foam film or paper cushions to secure shock-sensitive packaged goods.

    Fixing & filling cavities

    What is filler?

    With filling material, you fill cavities in the outer packaging, i.e. in the package in which you are shipping your contents. In this way, you fix the packaged goods in the packaging, prevent them from slipping and from rubbing against each other. In the case of insensitive goods, you do not need any additional cushioning material in addition to the filling material. A filling classic are organic packaging chips in the shape of 8, which do not allow packaged goods to wander through.

    Upholstery and filling material 1x1

    On its journey, your package won't exactly be handled with kid gloves. This is not a problem if you properly protect the contents in the packaging. Here you will find all the important information about upholstery and filling material.

    Wood wool

    Wood wool is the most original way of upholstery and is now only used for gift wrapping.

    Advantages

    • Looks classy

    • Adds value to packaged goods, such as expensive wine bottles

    • Is FSC certified

    Disadvantages

    • May contain dust

    • Is not easy to dispose of

    Bubble wrap

    If you want to wrap large products, bubble wrap is ideal as a packaging material.

    Advantages

    • Very good cushioning effect (tear-resistant)
    • You can easily wrap packaged goods
    • Wrapped items can be fixed with adhesive tape
    • Suitable for large goods
    • Is reusable

    Disadvantages

    • Made of plastic, not easy to dispose of
    • Large volume of disposal
    • Contains tiny dust particles that can scratch surfaces
    Nopa Foam Film

    Nopa foam film is a good choice for products with sharp edges. 

    Advantages

    • Adapts flexibly to the contour of your product

    • Suitable for sharp-edged packaged goods

    • Natural, pleasant feel

    • Very good for sensitive surfaces

    Disadvantages

    • Made of plastic, not easy to dispose of

    • Large volume of disposal

    Paper upholstery

    Paper upholstery is a packaging material made from recycled fibers with many applications. It adapts flexibly to the contours of your product.

    Advantages

    • Also suitable for sharp-edged packaged goods

    • Natural, pleasant feel

    • Environmentally friendly, made from renewable raw materials and 100 percent recyclable

    • Manual and electronic production

    • Easy and fast handling

    • No health risks when inhaling, no eye or hand protection required

    Disadvantages

    • Slight dust development

    • Sensitive to moisture

    Wrapping paper (kraft paper)

    Wrapping paper is a first-time paper (unlike recycled paper padding) and protects your products from scratches during transport.

    Advantages

    • You can easily wrap your packaged goods

    • Protects very well against friction

    • Ecological, 100 percent natural product 

    Disadvantages

    • Sensitive to moisture

    • Low cushioning effect

    SizzlePak

    SizzlePak convinces with its decorative effect, but only slightly cushions.

    Advantages

    • Looks very classy

    • Emphasizes the value of your product

    Disadvantages

    • Almost no cushioning effect

    • Not cheap

    Air cushion MiniPak'R

    MiniPak'R is a practical device for the production of bubble wrap that can be used in different ways.

    Advantages

    • Clean, dust-free and reusable

    • Insensitive to moisture

    • Cost-effective and space-saving

    • Low dead weight

    • Film consists of 99 percent air, low disposal volume

    • Cushion filling (cavity filling) easily adjustable and reproducible again and again

    • Very fast production (up to 23 meters per minute)

    • Very easy handling

    Disadvantages

    • Not suitable for pointed, sharp-edged and very heavy products 

    • Air cushions can lose air after a long period of time

    • Made of plastic, not easy to dispose of

    Bio-Chips

    Bio-chips are an innovative, compostable filling material. An environmentally friendly alternative to Styrofoam.

    Advantages

    • Reliably fills even small cavities

    • Clean, antistatic, dust-free and reusable

    • Dimensionally stable and shock-absorbing

    • Low dead weight

    Disadvantages

    • Requires large storage volume

    • Beware of the quicksand effect of packaging chips with regular shapes

    • Quite high price

    • Chips can fly around when unpacking the goods

    Styrofoam Chips

    Styrofoam chips are a lightweight filling material for inner packaging. Recommended in 8 shape to prevent the quicksand effect. 

    Advantages

    • Particularly suitable for cavity filling

    • Clean, antistatic, dust-free and reusable

    • Dimensionally stable and shock-absorbing

    • Low dead weight

    Disadvantages

    • Requires large storage volume

    • High price compared to volume

    • Chips can fly around when unpacking

    Tissue paper

    Tissue paper underlines the value of your products, but only slightly cushions as a packaging material.

    Advantages

             · Looks classy

             · Can be disposed of with waste paper.

             · Competitive price

    Disadvantages

             · Low cushioning effect

    Ecological cushioning and filling material at a glance

    Recycling

    Paper upholstery

    Paper upholstery is an environmentally friendly all-rounder and 100 percent recyclable.

    Vegetable

    Starch filling chips

    Natural packaging chips made from plant starch fill reliably and are compatible with the environment.

    Sustainable

    Cardboard edge protector

    Goodbye transport damage. Long-term protection for your parcel, for example in the event of vibrations.

    Order your filling material and upholstery material