Corrugated cardboard box technical specifications
Empaques 3A is a Mexican corrugated cardboard box manufacturer with its own plants in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, and in Torreon, Coahuila, certified to ISO 9001 and located in the northern industrial corridor near the United States border. We manufacture to order in ECT 23 to 61, flutes B, C, E, EB and BC, sizes from 80 to 1,200 mm and up to 3 print colours. This page lists our real factory specifications so you can define your packaging before requesting a quote.
Available strengths (ECT)
ECT (Edge Crush Test) measures the vertical crush resistance of the board and determines how much weight the box supports when stacked. Available in natural and industrial kraft.
Single wall
| ECT | Typical application |
|---|---|
| 23 | Light product, low stacking, local distribution |
| 26 | General low-weight packaging |
| 29 | General production line use |
| 32 | Most requested for standard industrial packaging |
| 40 | Heavy load or high warehouse stacking |
| 44 | Highest single wall strength available |
Double wall
| ECT | Typical application |
|---|---|
| 36 | Entry double wall, bulky product |
| 42 | Heavy load with prolonged stacking |
| 48 | Export and intensive handling |
| 51 | Industrial components and spare parts |
| 61 | Highest strength in our catalogue |
Available flutes
| Flute | Thickness | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| E | ~1.5 mm | Microflute. Best print surface, ideal for primary and retail packaging. |
| B | ~3 mm | Good crush resistance. Product boxes and die-cut designs. |
| C | ~4 mm | The shipping box standard. Best vertical cushioning. |
| EB | Doble pared | Combines the fine print of E with the body of B. |
| BC | Doble pared | Maximum structural strength for heavy loads. |
Box styles we manufacture
RSC
Regular slotted container. The most common and cost-effective format.
Half RSC
Partial flaps, for top-loaded product.
Auto-bottom, full overlap lid
Fast assembly with no bottom tape, full-cover lid.
Suitcase style
Suitcase opening, practical for display and repacking.
Triple wall auto-bottom
Triple reinforcement for heavy product.
Triple wall delivery
Reinforced variant designed for last-mile delivery.
Pizza box
One-piece format for prepared food.
Sheets
Corrugated board sheets, cut to size.
Printing and materials
- · Up to 3 direct print colours
- · Natural and industrial kraft
- · White liner in 26WT, 33WT, 42WT and 69WT
Special finishes
- Moisture resistant. Coating for humid environments, refrigeration or ocean export.
- Hot melt. Hot glue bonding for high-strength joints.
- Formi-flex. Flexible finish for special formats.
- Stitched. Mechanical reinforcement during box manufacturing.
Dimensional limits
Heights above 800 mm require engineering validation to confirm behaviour under stacking.
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Quote custom boxesFrequently asked questions
What does ECT mean and which strength do I need?
ECT (Edge Crush Test) measures the vertical crush resistance of corrugated board, meaning how much weight the box supports when stacked. We manufacture ECT 23 to 44 in single wall and ECT 36 to 61 in double wall. As a reference, ECT 32 covers most standard industrial packaging, while ECT 40 and above is recommended for heavy loads or high warehouse stacking. The right choice depends on product weight, stacking height and how long the box stays loaded.
What is the difference between B, C and E flute?
The flute is the internal wave of the board and defines thickness and behaviour. E flute is a microflute of roughly 1.5 mm and offers the best print surface, so it is used for primary packaging. B flute is around 3 mm and resists crushing well. C flute, at about 4 mm, is the standard for shipping boxes thanks to its vertical cushioning. EB and BC are double wall combinations used when greater structural strength is required.
What box sizes can you manufacture?
We produce boxes from 80 mm up to 1,200 mm per side. Heights above 800 mm require engineering validation to confirm structural behaviour under stacking.
How many print colours are available?
We print up to 3 direct colours on natural or industrial kraft, or on white liner in 26WT, 33WT, 42WT and 69WT.
Can you supply a plant in Mexico for nearshoring operations?
Yes. Empaques 3A manufactures in Mexico with plants in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, and in Torreon, Coahuila, both within the northern industrial corridor and close to the United States border. We supply corrugated packaging under supply contracts and recurring purchase schemes for manufacturing operations in the region.
Is Empaques 3A a manufacturer or a distributor?
Empaques 3A is a manufacturer. We produce in our own plants in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, and in Torreon, Coahuila, under ISO 9001 certification. We are not intermediaries or resellers.