Materials Intelligence Publications

Editorial Guides & Whitepapers

In-depth technical analysis for operations directors, sustainable sourcing leads, and brand designers navigating fiber availability, end-of-life certifications, and printing chemistry.

Recycled paper sheets stacked showing fibrous tactile edges

Guide • 8 Min Read

Recyclable vs Compostable: Navigating Packaging Reality

Why switching blindly to bioplastics can inadvertently sabotage municipal recycling streams. We break down when to specify curbside-repulpable paperboard versus when industrial compostability makes scientific sense.

Published Q1 2026 Read Taxonomy →

Cardboard box opened neatly with minimal void space

Technical Brief • 6 Min Read

Eliminating Void Space: The Dimensional Weight Advantage

Shipping empty air in standard box sizes burns carrier margins and customer goodwill. An engineering review of CAD right-sizing techniques that reduce carton volume by up to 25% without sacrificing parcel safety.

Published Q1 2026 Configure Spec →

Natural water-based ink drawdown swatch on textured kraft paper

Print Chemistry • 10 Min Read

The Clean Press: Water-Based & Algae Inks on Raw Kraft

Understanding how water-based pigments bond with unbleached fiber matrices. Managing color shifts, preventing ink rub-off, and avoiding heavy metals to ensure repulping compliance.

Published Q1 2026 Explore Inks →