Industrial packaging must often provide strength, cushioning and structural support without adding unnecessary weight to the shipment.
Some products need rigid panels around their sides. Others require dividers, void fillers, weight spreaders or customised supports that hold the product in the correct position during handling and transportation.
Eltete Honeycomb Board is a recyclable paper product with a hexagonal internal cellular structure. Eltete states that its structure and selected raw materials provide compression strength and rigidity while allowing the board to remain lightweight. It can withstand impact and high loads in suitable heavy-duty packaging applications.
The board can be supplied as a flat panel or converted into product-specific components through shaping, cutting, folding and other suitable processing methods. This makes it useful as both a structural board and a customised internal packaging material.
What Is Eltete Honeycomb Board?
Eltete Honeycomb Board is a paper-based panel consisting of surface sheets attached to a cellular paper core.
The internal cells form a repeating hexagonal structure similar to a honeycomb. According to Eltete, this construction gives the board strength and rigidity while keeping the complete panel light and easy to handle.
Eltete describes its Honeycomb Board as:
– Lightweight
– Strong
– 100% recyclable
– Easy to handle
– Suitable for cushioning
– Resistant to compression
– Easy to shape and cut
– Suitable for multiple packaging applications
The exact strength and performance depend on the selected cell size, thickness, surface material, dimensions and complete packaging design.
How Is Honeycomb Board Constructed?
The board contains two main structural parts.
Surface sheets
The outer paper surfaces form the top and bottom faces of the panel.
Eltete states that the surface material is selected according to the strength requirements of the application. Its official brochure lists Coreboard and Testliner or Kraftliner as available surface-material options. Other options may also be available.
Hexagonal cellular core
Between the surface sheets is a paper core containing multiple hexagonal cells.
Eltete states that this cellular structure provides compression resistance, rigidity and strength while retaining a lightweight construction.
When force is applied in the intended direction, the internal cells and outer surfaces work together as a board rather than as separate paper sheets.
The resulting performance depends on:
– Cell dimensions
– Board thickness
– Surface-paper quality
– Core-paper quality
– Panel dimensions
– Direction of loading
– Support beneath the panel
– Exposure conditions
– Conversion and cutting method
Eltete therefore offers different quality and dimensional options instead of presenting one board specification for every application.
Why Is the Internal Structure Hexagonal?
Eltete’s official information identifies the hexagonal internal structure as the feature that provides the board’s strength and rigidity.
The cell walls create repeated internal support points between the upper and lower surfaces. This allows the board to provide structural support while using less solid material than a completely filled paper panel.
This explanation is an interpretation of the construction shown and described in Eltete’s official materials. The actual performance of a board should be confirmed using the selected specification and application requirements.
What Are the Main Benefits of Honeycomb Board?
1. Lightweight construction
Eltete describes Honeycomb Board as a lightweight paper product.
Its internal structure contains cellular spaces rather than a completely solid centre. This allows the board to provide useful thickness and rigidity without using a fully solid material throughout the complete panel.
A lighter packaging component may be easier to handle and can be considered when developing packaging in which total material weight is important.
The final packaging weight depends on:
Board dimensions
Board thickness
Surface materials
Number of components
Additional packaging materials
Required strength
2. Compression resistance
Eltete identifies high compression resistance as one of the board’s main characteristics.
The company states that the hexagonal cellular structure and selected raw materials provide compression strength suitable for impact, high loads and heavy-duty packaging applications.
Compression requirements may arise when the board is used as:
– A weight spreader
– A product support
– A pallet deck
– A side wall
– An internal spacer
– A stacking component
– A cushioning block
The relevant compression direction must be considered. A board may perform differently when pressure is applied onto its surface than when force is applied across an unsupported edge.
3. Rigidity
Eltete states that Honeycomb Board provides rigidity as well as compression strength.
Rigidity can help a packaging panel maintain its shape when it is used as:
– A box wall
– A pallet deck
– A divider
– A top board
– An outer panel
– A customised packaging insert
The required rigidity depends on the board span, support points, product weight and direction of force.
4. Cushioning properties
Eltete describes Honeycomb Board as having good cushioning properties and identifies it as an ideal cushioning material.
The board may therefore be converted into components that separate the product from:
– The outer box
– The pallet
– Adjacent products
– The top cover
– Other structural packaging parts
Cushioning requirements vary according to product sensitivity. Honeycomb Board should not automatically be treated as a complete substitute for every foam, suspension or specialised cushioning system.
5. Easy shaping and cutting
Eltete states that Honeycomb Board can be shaped or cut into the exact elements required for its intended use.
Possible conversions may include:
– Rectangular panels
– Cut-out supports
– Product-shaped inserts
– Dividers
– Frames
– Weight-spreading pads
– Layer pads
– Void-filling blocks
– Pallet components
Eltete’s official brochure shows Honeycomb Board converted into panels with multiple shaped openings, demonstrating its use as a product-specific insert.
6. Multiple quality and size options
Eltete provides different cell sizes, board thicknesses and surface materials.
This allows the board to be selected according to the required combination of:
– Strength
– Weight
– Thickness
– Panel dimensions
– Product protection
– Conversion requirements
– Packaging application
A lightweight divider does not necessarily require the same construction as a heavy-duty pallet deck or box side wall.
7. Recyclable paper construction
Eltete describes its Honeycomb Board as a 100% recyclable paper or carton-board product.
When it is combined with compatible paper-based packaging components, it can support a transport-packaging system built mainly from paper materials.
The recycling method for a complete finished package still depends on any additional:
– Adhesives
– Coatings
– Strapping
– Stretch film
– Pallet materials
– Contamination
– Local recycling requirements
8. Alternative to selected wooden components
Eltete lists “substitute for wood” as one of the applications for Honeycomb Board.
This does not mean that one Honeycomb Board grade can replace every wooden panel or support.
A wooden component should only be replaced after reviewing:
– Required compression strength
– Bending stiffness
– Concentrated load points
– Exposure to humidity
– Fastening requirements
– Handling method
– Product weight
– Transport conditions
– Required safety margin
Eltete’s official solution examples show that Honeycomb Board can be combined with Edgeboard or other Eltete components when additional strength is needed.
How Does Cell Size Affect the Board?
Eltete offers several cell sizes rather than one fixed internal structure.
The selected cell size forms part of the board specification and should be considered together with:
– Board thickness
– Surface material
– Panel size
– Compression requirement
– Required cut shape
-Product weight
– Support arrangement
A smaller or larger cell should not automatically be described as universally stronger without approved comparative information for the complete board construction.
Eltete should select or confirm the specification according to the actual packaging requirement.
How Does Board Thickness Affect the Application?
Eltete’s brochure lists thicknesses from 10 mm to 70 mm for the referenced range.
Different thicknesses allow the material to perform different functions.
A thinner board may be evaluated for:
– Layer separation
– Lightweight dividers
– Surface protection
– Product spacing
A thicker board may be evaluated for:
– Larger void fillers
– Side walls
– Cushioning blocks
– Product supports
– Pallet structures
– Weight spreaders
These examples reflect the applications listed by Eltete, but the correct thickness must be selected according to the required performance rather than the application name alone.
What Surface Materials Are Available?
Eltete states that the surface material is selected according to the strength requirements.
The brochure lists:
Coreboard at 350 or 450 gsm
Testliner or Kraftliner from 175 to 270 gsm
Other available options
The surface material can influence factors such as:
– Panel strength
– Surface durability
– Conversion
– Contact with the product
– Printing or identification requirements
– Appearance
– Compatibility with other packaging components
The complete board specification should therefore include more than only its length, width and thickness.
Industrial Applications of Honeycomb Board
Eltete identifies nine main Honeycomb Board applications on its official product page:
– Customised outer packaging
– Product divider
– Void filler
– Cushioning material
– Edge protector
– Weight spreader
– Base for a paper pallet
– Side wall of a heavy-duty box
– Substitute for wood
Each application uses the board in a different way.
1. Customised Outer Packaging
Honeycomb Board can form part of an external packaging structure surrounding a product.
Its panels may be cut according to the product dimensions and combined with:
– Packaging Profiles
– Edgeboard
– PallRun®
– Top and bottom covers
– Corner-locking components
– Strapping
– Stretch film
– Other carton-board parts
Eltete’s The Box system is an example of an outer transport package that combines Honeycomb Board, Packaging Profiles and PallRun® components.
The board may form:
– Side walls
– Top panels
– Bottom panels
– Internal partitions
– Product supports
– Customised inserts
The complete packaging construction should be developed according to the product, handling method and transport conditions.
2. Product Dividers
Eltete lists product dividers as a Honeycomb Board application.
Dividers can separate products or sections inside a package.
They may help:
– Prevent direct product-to-product contact
– Organise several components
– Maintain product positioning
– Create separate compartments
– Distribute products across layers
– Protect finished surfaces
A divider should be designed according to:
– Product dimensions
– Product weight
– Number of compartments
– Loading direction
– Required clearance
– Sensitivity of the product surfaces
Honeycomb Board may also be cut with slots or openings to fit the product arrangement.
3. Void Fillers
Empty spaces inside packaging can allow products to move during handling.
Eltete lists Honeycomb Board as a void-filling material and also refers to its use as a void filler in containers to secure cargo.
Honeycomb components may be shaped to occupy selected spaces:
– Beside a product
– Above a product
– Between products
– Beneath a product
– Inside a box or frame
– Within a larger transport package
The void filler should fit the available space without applying damaging pressure to the product.
For cargo-level voids inside trucks or containers, Eltete also offers Dunnage Bags. The most suitable solution depends on whether the space is inside an individual package or between complete cargo units.
4. Cushioning Material
Eltete describes Honeycomb Board as a cushioning material with good cushioning properties.
It may be converted into:
– Corner cushions
– Bottom supports
– Top cushions
– Side pads
– Product-shaped inserts
– Protective frames
– Layer pads
A suitable cushioning design should consider:
– Product weight
– Impact risk
– Fragility
– Supported surface area
– Number of cushioning points
– Compression under load
– Transportation method
Honeycomb Board may need to be combined with another protective material where highly sensitive products require a specialised cushioning response.
5. Edge Protection
Honeycomb Board may be cut into components that protect exposed product edges. Eltete includes edge protection among the board’s official applications.
It can potentially be used as:
– A wide protective pad
– A shaped edge insert
– A corner block
– A perimeter component
– A separation layer between a product and an outer frame
Eltete also provides products developed specifically for edge protection, including Edgeboard, U-Profile and Wrap Around Edgeboard.
Honeycomb Board may be preferable when the product requires a wider panel or shaped protective area, while laminated profiles may be used when continuous corner or edge protection is required.
6. Weight Spreaders
Eltete identifies weight spreading as a Honeycomb Board application.
A weight spreader is positioned beneath or around a concentrated load so the force is distributed across a wider supporting area.
This may be relevant when:
– A product rests on small feet
– A heavy component contacts only a limited area
– A pallet deck requires broader load distribution
– Pressure must be reduced at a specific support point
– A top panel receives force from strapping or stacking
The board must have suitable support beneath it. Honeycomb Board should not automatically be placed across a large unsupported gap unless the approved construction provides the required bending stiffness.
7. Base for a Paper Pallet
Eltete lists Honeycomb Board as a base material for paper pallets.
It can be combined with Eltete pallet runners such as PallRun® to create a paper-based load platform.
Eltete’s official Paper Pallet brochure confirms that corrugated board or Honeycomb Board can be used as the deck board in a paper-pallet construction.
A Honeycomb Board pallet deck may provide:
– A broad load surface
– Product support
– Separation from the runners
– Distribution of weight across the base
– Compatibility with a customised pallet size
The required pallet design depends on:
– Total load
– Load distribution
– Two-way or four-way handling
– Forklift entry
– Pallet dimensions
– Storage conditions
– Transportation method
8. Side Walls for Heavy-Duty Boxes
Eltete identifies Honeycomb Board as a side-wall material for heavy-duty boxes.
Side walls may be combined with structural profiles to create a transport package around large, heavy or sensitive products.
Eltete’s The Box concept combines:
– Honeycomb Board
– Packaging Profiles
– PallRun® pallet runners
The Honeycomb Board panels form the broad wall surfaces, while the profiles and pallet components provide the required corner structure and load base.
The complete box may also include:
– Internal supports
– Product dividers
– Weight spreaders
– Top panels
– Corner locks
– Strapping
– A customised pallet
9. Substitute for Wood
Eltete includes wood substitution among the official applications for Honeycomb Board.
The board may be evaluated as an alternative to selected:
– Wooden pallet tops
– Wooden panels
– Wooden spacers
– Rigid internal supports
– Packaging walls
– Product-positioning components
Eltete’s official case-study material describes an application in which a customer wanted to replace a wooden pallet top with a recyclable material.
Eltete states that adding an edge profile to the side of Honeycomb Board significantly improved its bending stiffness, which was important because strapping was used to stabilise the pallet structure.
This example demonstrates that the board may need to be combined with another structural profile rather than used alone.
Honeycomb Board in Heavy-Duty Packaging
Eltete states that the board’s compression strength and rigidity make it suitable for high loads and heavy-duty packaging applications.
Heavy-duty packaging may use Honeycomb Board as:
– A side wall
– A pallet deck
– A weight spreader
– A product-shaped support
– A top panel
– A cushioning structure
– A rigid divider
– An internal stabilising component
Heavy-duty performance should not be assumed based only on the word “Honeycomb.”
The final solution depends on:
– Selected board quality
– Cell size
– Thickness
– Surface material
– Panel span
– Edge reinforcement
– Product support points
– Packaging Profiles
– Pallet construction
– Strapping arrangement
– Environmental conditions
– Eltete Heavy-Duty Packaging Case Study
Eltete’s official solution material describes a customer that required packaging for exported machinery.
The customer wanted a package that would be:
– Faster to assemble
– Reusable
– Module-based
– Lighter than the existing packaging
– Able to hold the product inside the package
Eltete states that it combined existing materials to create a sufficiently stable heavy-duty transport solution. Honeycomb Board was cut into a shape that held the product inside the package.
This example demonstrates two Honeycomb Board functions:
– Structural integration with other packaging materials
– Product-specific cutting to restrict product movement
The result was developed for that particular customer and should not be treated as a universal performance claim for every Honeycomb Board package.
Replacing Selected Styrofoam Components
Eltete’s official solution material also describes a customer that needed a “space-eater element” to improve packaging stability.
The replacement needed to support weight measured in several hundreds of kilograms while remaining cost-effective.
Eltete states that it optimised the Honeycomb Board raw materials to create sufficient compression strength and reinforced the board edge with an Edge Profile to withstand pressure from the strapping belt.
This application shows that Honeycomb Board can potentially replace selected foam components when:
– The correct board quality is selected
– Compression requirements are known
– Edges are reinforced where required
– Strapping pressure is considered
– The complete design is tested
It does not mean that Honeycomb Board can replace every type of foam in every cushioning application.
Honeycomb Board for Pallet Tops
A pallet top may be positioned above a palletised load to:
– Create a surface for strapping
– Protect the upper products
– Distribute top pressure
– Stabilise the complete unit
– Separate stacked loads
Eltete’s pallet-top case shows that adding an Edge Profile to Honeycomb Board improved the bending stiffness needed for the strapped pallet structure.
This suggests that a pallet top should be evaluated as a combination of:
– Panel material
– Panel thickness
– Panel span
– Edge reinforcement
– Strapping location
– Strapping pressure
– Product support underneath
Honeycomb Board Compared with Solid Paperboard
Solid paperboard uses a denser structure throughout its thickness.
Honeycomb Board uses a cellular core between its surfaces.
The cellular design allows Honeycomb Board to provide greater panel thickness without making the entire centre solid. Eltete therefore presents it as both lightweight and strong.
The choice should consider:
– Required panel thickness
– Surface durability
– Bending requirement
– Compression direction
– Cut shape
– Product weight
– Support arrangement
Does Honeycomb Board Require Export Treatment?
Eltete’s official Honeycomb Board brochure presents the product as requiring no export treatment and describes it as free of plant pests according to the referenced FAO, IPPC and ISPM 15 context.
This is relevant because the board is manufactured from processed paper material rather than untreated solid wood.
However, exporters should review the complete package. A shipment may still contain:
– Wooden pallets
– Wooden supports
– Wooden blocks
– Other regulated materials
The presence of Honeycomb Board does not determine the treatment status of every other packaging component.
Is Honeycomb Board Waterproof?
Eltete’s Honeycomb Board page and brochure do not describe the standard product as waterproof.
Businesses should therefore provide Eltete with information about:
– Warehouse humidity
– Risk of rain
– Container condensation
– Wet floors
– Outdoor handling
– Shipment duration
– Temperature changes
Additional covering, handling controls or alternative material options may be required where direct water exposure is expected.
Claims about moisture or water resistance should only be made when supported by the approved specification for the selected board.
How Should Honeycomb Board Be Selected?
Product dimensions
Provide the complete product length, width and height.
The dimensions determine:
– Panel size
– Insert shape
– Divider layout
– Required clearances
– Number of components
– Maximum unsupported spans
– Product weight
Eltete must know the actual packed weight, including accessories and other components inside the package.
Load distribution
Identify whether the load is:
– Evenly distributed
– Concentrated on several feet
– Concentrated on one section
– Supported along edges
– Supported across a full surface
The board may require additional weight spreaders or reinforcement around concentrated support points.
Required function
Clarify whether the board will be used as:
– Cushioning
– A side wall
– A divider
– A pallet deck
– A void filler
– A top panel
– A weight spreader
– A wood-replacement component
Each function may require a different specification.
Compression direction
The packaging designer should understand how the force will be applied to the board.
Pressure through the panel surface may differ from force applied across an unsupported span.
Board dimensions
Eltete’s brochure lists a maximum width of 1,300 mm for the referenced range and length tolerances depending on whether the board is below or above 2,000 mm.
Large panels may require additional support or joining depending on the application.
Required cell size and thickness
Eltete offers multiple cell sizes and thicknesses. The appropriate combination should be confirmed according to the required strength and conversion.
Surface material
The outer paper grade should be selected according to the required strength, appearance and product contact.
Cutting and conversion
Provide drawings or product samples where the board needs:
– Openings
– Slots
– Contoured shapes
– Folding lines
– Multiple layers
– Product-specific supports
– Strapping arrangement
Strapping may apply concentrated pressure to the board.
Eltete’s official examples show that an Edge Profile can be added where additional bending stiffness or protection against strapping pressure is required.
Environmental conditions
Humidity, storage duration and possible water exposure should be communicated before the board quality is selected.
Can Honeycomb Board Be Customised?
Yes. Eltete states that Honeycomb Board can be shaped or cut into the exact elements required for its end use.
Customisation may include:
– Exact panel dimensions
– Selected thickness
– Selected cell size
– Different surface materials
– Shaped openings
– Product cavities
– Dividers
– Weight-spreading components
– Pallet decks
– Side walls
– Reinforced edges
– Multi-component packaging kits
The final design should be based on approved drawings, samples or packaging trials.
Can Honeycomb Board Be Used Alone?
Honeycomb Board can be used as an individual panel or insert, but many applications benefit from combining it with other packaging components.
Possible combinations include:
– Honeycomb Board with Edgeboard
– Honeycomb Board with U-Profile
– Honeycomb Board with Packaging Profiles
– Honeycomb Board with PallRun®
– Honeycomb Board with Paper Pallets
– Honeycomb Board with corrugated cartons
– Honeycomb Board with strapping
– Honeycomb Board within The Box
Eltete’s official case studies demonstrate the use of Honeycomb Board together with Edge Profiles to improve bending stiffness or protect the board against strapping pressure.
Honeycomb Board as Part of The Box
Eltete The Box combines:
– Honeycomb Board
– Packaging Profiles
– PallRun® pallet components
Within this system, Honeycomb Board can form the broad panels and customised product-support elements.
The profiles provide reinforcement and corner structure, while PallRun® can form the supporting pallet base.
This combination allows Eltete to develop a paper-based transport box for suitable light, heavy or heavy-duty products.
Honeycomb Board as Part of a Paper Pallet
Eltete states that Honeycomb Board can be used as a deck board for a paper pallet.
The board may be attached to paper-based runners to create a load-supporting platform.
The pallet design should account for:
– Product footprint
– Total weight
– Load concentration
– Forklift entry
– Handling direction
– Board support points
– Runner positions
– Storage requirements
Honeycomb Board should not automatically be assigned the same pallet load rating across different dimensions and constructions.
Is Honeycomb Board Suitable for Every Product?
Honeycomb Board offers several structural and protective functions, but it should not automatically be used for every product.
Another material or additional component may be required when:
– The product creates sharp cutting points
– Direct water exposure cannot be controlled
– The board cannot be adequately supported
– A specialised moisture or chemical barrier is required
– The load creates excessive concentrated pressure
– The package requires a different cushioning response
– The board cannot meet the required span or bending condition
– The transport process exceeds the approved design conditions
Eltete can combine Honeycomb Board with other transport-packaging materials when one material alone does not provide every required function.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eltete Honeycomb Board?
Eltete Honeycomb Board is a recyclable paper panel with a hexagonal internal cellular structure. It is designed to provide rigidity, compression strength and cushioning while remaining lightweight.
Is Honeycomb Board recyclable?
Yes. Eltete describes its Honeycomb Board as a 100% recyclable paper or carton-board product.
What is Honeycomb Board used for?
Eltete lists applications including customised outer packaging, product dividers, void fillers, cushioning, edge protection, weight spreaders, paper-pallet bases, heavy-duty box walls and selected wood substitution.
Is Honeycomb Board suitable for heavy-duty packaging?
Yes. Eltete states that its structure provides compression strength and rigidity suitable for impact, high loads and heavy-duty packaging applications. The exact board quality must match the application.
Can Honeycomb Board be used as cushioning?
Yes. Eltete describes it as having good cushioning properties and identifies cushioning as one of its applications.
Can Honeycomb Board be used for product dividers?
Yes. Product dividers are listed among Eltete’s official Honeycomb Board applications.
Can Honeycomb Board fill empty spaces?
Yes. Eltete lists void filling as one of the board’s uses. The board may be cut into components that fit the available space.
Can Honeycomb Board be used for paper pallets?
Yes. It can form the deck or base of a paper pallet and may be combined with paper-based pallet runners such as PallRun®.
Can Honeycomb Board be used for transport-box walls?
Yes. Eltete lists side walls for heavy-duty boxes as an application. Honeycomb Board is also one of the main components used in Eltete The Box.
Can Honeycomb Board replace wood?
Eltete lists wood substitution as one of its applications. Suitability depends on the required strength, load distribution, support, handling and environmental conditions.
Can Honeycomb Board replace styrofoam?
Eltete reports a case in which an optimised Honeycomb Board solution replaced a selected styrofoam component. The board was reinforced with an Edge Profile to handle the required compression and strapping pressure. This was an application-specific solution rather than a universal replacement.
Can Honeycomb Board be cut into custom shapes?
Yes. Eltete states that it can be shaped or cut into the exact elements needed for its intended application.
What cell sizes are available?
Eltete’s brochure lists cell sizes of 6, 8, 12, 14 and 20 mm for the referenced product range.
What thicknesses are available?
The official brochure lists thicknesses from 10 mm to 70 mm. Final availability should be confirmed with Eltete.
What is the maximum board width?
Eltete’s brochure lists a maximum width of 1,300 mm for the referenced range.
What surface materials are available?
Eltete lists Coreboard at 350 or 450 gsm and Testliner or Kraftliner from 175 to 270 gsm. Other surface options may also be available.
Does Honeycomb Board require fumigation?
Eltete’s brochure presents the material as not requiring export treatment. The complete packaging should still be reviewed if it contains other materials, particularly solid wood.
Is Honeycomb Board waterproof?
Eltete’s standard product information does not describe it as waterproof. Storage, humidity and possible direct-water exposure should therefore be discussed when developing the packaging.
Can Honeycomb Board withstand strapping pressure?
This depends on the board and packaging design. Eltete’s case studies show that an Edge Profile can be added to improve bending stiffness or protect the board edge against pressure from a strapping belt.
Create Packaging Components Around the Product
Eltete Honeycomb Board provides a flexible paper-based material for industrial packaging applications that require cushioning, rigidity, compression support or customised product positioning.
Its hexagonal internal cellular structure allows the board to remain lightweight while providing strength for suitable packaging applications. It can be cut into product-specific components and used as a divider, void filler, weight spreader, pallet base, box wall, outer panel or selected alternative to wood.
The correct specification depends on:
– Product dimensions
– Product weight
– Load distribution
– Required board function
– Cell size
– Board thickness
– Surface material
– Support arrangement
– Strapping pressure
– Storage environment
– Transportation method
Contact Eltete Malaysia to discuss a Honeycomb Board component or complete transport-packaging solution designed around your product.
