Warren expands folding boxboard range

Independent cartonboard and graphical board stockist Warren has added Mayr-Melnhof’s Accurate Freeze GR Kit 9-11 to its range of folding boxboard products.

The product is available with immediate effect from the firm, which will act as its exclusive UK stockist and distributor.

Accurate Freeze GR Kit 9-11 is manufactured by Mayr-Melnhof at its Eerbeek mill in the Netherlands. It is a fully coated, light-back, grease-resistant folding boxboard, which is available in a wide range of calipers and sizes.

It is said to be suitable for packaging convenience foods, baked and breaded products, and other chilled and frozen foods with a high fat content. It is fully recyclable and bio-degradable, meets all international packaging guidelines and food regulations and is available both FSC and PEFC certified.

Warren managing director Kieran Ferguson said the company has seen a consistent increase in demand for a high-quality barrier board.

"Accurate Freeze GR Kit 9-11 is our only barrier treated cartonboard available from pallet stock – its barrier properties allow it to be used for greasy products and stops fat/grease penetration through to the printed surface.

"The higher the Kit value, the greater the barrier resistance. It has replaced both of our original ranges, Lino-Freeze GR Kit 7-9 and 9-11 – both of these products were produced by Mayr-Melnhof Eerbeek too."

The product is available in a wide range of sizes, from calipers – 400mic/245gsm, 460mic/275gsm, 490mic/290gsm, and in both multiple long and short grain sizes in each.

Previously historically known only for its board products, Warren moved into paper distribution for the first time in 2014. The firm – a member of the AIMS Group of independent paper and board merchants in the UK and Ireland – provides a regional service covering the East and West Midlands, the North East and the South West areas.

"Since joining the AIMS Group and introducing our paper range, we’ve seen significant year-on-year growth in our paper sales. With recent additions to the range including Exceo coated paper from Feldmuehle and extensions to our existing products such as Lumi and Inspira, the growth rate has strengthened," said Ferguson.

"In the space of three years, with the support of the AIMS Group, our staff, and the engagement from our customers, paper sales now represent over 25% of the tonnes sold by our business. We have plans for further growth across both our paper and board ranges and hope to be in a position to announce some of these in the early part of 2018."

ISO 14001-certified Warren has 48 staff and sales in excess of 34,000 tonnes per annum with a turnover of £26m.

It runs from a 3,902sqm converting facility in West Bromwich in the West Midlands and a 10,405sqm warehouse in Glenfield, Leicestershire. Its customers range from commercial and general printers through to carton convertors throughout the UK and Europe.