Great Northern – Fiber Interior Packaging Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find some of the most common questions about our protective packaging solutions. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in the information below, please contact one of our fiber interior packaging specialists!

  • Easy to packProtect Items within a box during shipment
  • Biodegradable
  • Easily recyclable
    • 100% recyclable curbside, same as any paper-based product
  • Nest-able
    • Requiring less warehouse space
  • Customization
    • Tailored to your specific product, providing optimum product protection
  • Transit Testing
    • Great Northern has an ISTA® 6 Certified Laboratory
    • Able to conduct
      • ISTA 1A, 3A, FedEx 6A and Amazon SIOC 6A (Ship In Own Container)
      •  Tests may include: vibration, inclines, material handling, free-fall drops and compression tests
  • 100% Recycled – Made from used corrugate and newsprint
  • Biodegradable – The US Environmental Protection Agency defines Biodegradable as any substance that has the ability to be broken down physically and/or chemically by microorganisms
  • Our parts are produced by creating a slurry made from mixing used corrugated and newsprint with water. The slurry is then pulled through a tool that molds the part, then dried
  • Our products are referred to as thick-wall and range in thickness from 3/16” to 3/8″
  • What is thin-wall molded fiber?: Thin-wall molded fiber typically ranges from about 3/32” to 5/32” and typically both surfaces are smooth.
  • We use thick-wall molded fiber because it is much sturdier than thin-wall, allowing for better protection against heavy items and helps keep them safe throughout shipping.
  • Parts are produced using a single tool, leaving the front side of the part reasonably smooth and rough on the backside

Shipping material comparison chart

  • Annual volumes of around 20,000 pieces or moreFlexible Packaging for Glass Jars
  • Weights ranging from just a few pounds to 100 lbs.
  • Products that require excellent shock absorption and compression strength
  • Products that require void fill, blocking and bracing
  • Not ideal for light-weight and/or highly fragile item

Foams including expanded polystyrene, aka eps or styrofoam, foam in a bag and foam in place

  • These foamsProtective packaging for shipping candles
    • Cannot be easily recycled
    • Are not seen as environmentally responsible
    • Require more space because the parts do not nest
  • Corrugated die-cuts
    • Highly labor-intensive
    • Not molded to fit contours of the item
    • Can require multiple parts
  • Honeycomb
    • Parts do not nest and require more space
    • Not molded to fit contours of the item
  • Bubble Wrap
    • Often created with toxins that can be harmful
    • Resistant to biodegradation
    • Items must be individually wrapped and taped for shipping which is very time-consuming and labor-intensive

A price estimate can be provided in just a few days once we receive your product and/or a drawing with dimensions and annual volumes

Assuming the above preliminary pricing meets your requirements, we will require a sample of the part to design the tooling and provide a formal quote.Protective packaging for shipping truck parts

  • Samples
    • Once you have approved the design and pricing, we will require a Purchase Order for the production of samples to begin
  • Production
    • Production can be initiated once we receive approval of samples and a Purchase Order for production of parts to begin

Since they’re produced from 100% paper products, parts can easily be re-entered into any paper or corrugated waste stream.

Ensure product & package protection with or ISTA 6 testing and certification services.

Great Northern’s ISTA 6 Test Lab exposes packages to conditions and hazards including:

  • Vibration
  • Inclines
  • Material Handling
  • Free-fall Drops
  • Compression

Testing your packaging solution before sending it to your end-user ensures that your product will arrive damage free every time! Click here to learn more about our testing facility.