Dangerous goods packaging operates under rules that general packaging does not. The material has to be compatible with the contents, it has to be dry, and it has to be documented. The cushioning material is part of the packaging, and the cushioning has to meet the same requirements.
Paper cushioning meets these requirements more easily than plastic cushioning. The material is dry, it is non-reactive with most substances, and it is well understood by the authorities who regulate dangerous goods transport.
What Dangerous Goods Packaging Requires
The first requirement is compatibility. The cushioning material must not react with the contents. A material that reacts could generate heat, gas, or pressure, and the reaction could compromise the packaging.
The second requirement is dryness. The cushioning material must not introduce moisture that could react with the contents or degrade the packaging. Paper is dry, and it stays dry if it is stored properly.
The third requirement is documentation. The cushioning material must be documented as part of the packaging, and the documentation has to be available to the authorities.
Why Paper Meets the Requirements
Paper is non-reactive with most substances. It does not react with the chemicals that are commonly shipped as dangerous goods, and it does not generate heat or gas when it comes into contact with them.
Paper is dry. The material does not introduce moisture into the packaging, and the packaging stays dry as long as the paper is stored properly.
Paper is well understood. The authorities who regulate dangerous goods transport are familiar with paper, and the documentation is straightforward.
How the Machine Supports the Packaging
A honeycomb paper machine produces cushioning that is dry and non-reactive. Die-cutting width is adjustable between 200 and 500mm, so the output matches the packaging size. The operator shapes the material around the contents, and the material holds its shape once formed.
The machine produces the material on demand, which means the cushioning is fresh and dry. There is no stored cushioning that could have absorbed moisture during storage.
What to Check Before Using It
The first check is compatibility with the specific contents. Paper is compatible with most substances, but the operation should confirm with the contents' safety data sheet.
The second check is the regulatory requirement for the specific class of dangerous goods. The requirements vary by class, and the operation should confirm that paper cushioning meets the requirement for the class being shipped.
The third check is the documentation. The operation should confirm that the paper cushioning is documented as part of the packaging, and the documentation should be available for inspection.
What the Machine Delivers
A honeycomb paper machine that produces cushioning for dangerous goods delivers a dry, non-reactive material. Die-cutting speed is adjustable between 5 and 18 m/min, and die-cutting width is adjustable between 200 and 500mm. Suitable paper is ≤80gsm, and both virgin kraft paper and recycled paper work.
Power requirements are modest: 1.5kW total power at AC220V/50HZ, with no compressor, heating element, or adhesive system. A compact footprint of just over 1 cubic meter, dimensions around 950x1150x1260mm and net weight near 502kg, means the machine can sit in the dangerous goods packing area. A paper roll length of about 1700m, with a maximum unwind diameter of 500mm and a paper core inner diameter of 75mm, supports a long production run before the roll needs to be changed. A die that lasts about 1.0~1.3 million meters keeps the cells uniform across the entire run.
The output is biodegradable packaging and degradable packing material, a practical alternative to plastic packing materials, and it supports reuse cartons and paper recycling. A dry, non-reactive material is what makes that output suitable for dangerous goods.