Wax coated boxes are familiar and have become the default option for the food and beverage industry for product categories that require moisture resistance. However, the status quo is not always the best option.
Packaging buyers are under more pressure to balance product protection, operational needs, and recyclability. This has led many companies to seek out alternatives to wax-coated boxes. MRB boxes and lids are giving buyers another option.
Market Growth and Cold Chain Expansion
Demand for moisture-resistant packaging is increasing across food and pharma supply chains, with the market projected to exceed $45 billion over the next decade. This reflects demand for packaging that maintains food integrity and quality by protecting it from temperatures and moisture. Longer distribution distances and temperature-controlled environments increase exposure to moisture, placing greater pressure on packaging performance during transit. The growth is tied to the expansion of cold chain logistics, which is seeing double-digit growth rates in some segments.
The Decline of Wax Coated Boxes
Paraffin wax coated boxes have traditionally addressed these conditions. However, in recent years, companies have been moving away from their use. Wax-treated corrugated now accounts for a small share of total box shipments, down by more than 50% over the past two decades.
In cold chain distribution, moisture exposure occurs as boxes move through refrigerated storage, humid docks, and transportation, where condensation, ice, and meltwater are present throughout the cycle. Over time, this exposure reduces the compression strength of the corrugated board and affects the stacking performance of the boxes. Failures tend to occur in transit or at delivery, where weakened packaging leads to product damage, rehandling, or rejected shipments.
Wax coated boxes were designed to slow that degradation, but they introduce tradeoffs that are becoming less acceptable. Once used, wax-coated corrugated cannot be recycled through standard systems because the wax does not break down during pulping. Most supermarkets achieve high recovery rates for used corrugated material by baling it for sale, creating a secondary revenue stream. As a result, packaging that can move through standard recycling streams is prioritized. For distributors and retailers that rely on corrugated recovery programs, this creates additional handling requirements and removes material from established recycling streams.
As a result, buyers are evaluating packaging based on how it performs in transit as well as end-of-life handling. Materials that meet moisture requirements but are not compatible with standard recovery processes create operational inefficiencies. This is a primary factor behind the continued decline in wax-coated box usage and the shift toward alternatives that align with both distribution and recycling requirements.
One alternative gaining adoption is MRB (micro moisture-resistant board), from Atlas Container.
MRB (Micro Moisture-Resistant Board): A Wax-Alternative for Cold Chain Packaging
MRB, or micro moisture-resistant board, is an FDA-approved, leakproof packaging solution for food applications, especially for produce, seafood, and meat. It uses a wax-alternative technology designed to maintain strength in cold chain conditions while remaining compatible with standard recycling systems.
MRB doesn’t have a surface coating. Instead, all three layers of the board structure are treated to resist water absorption across all layers. This allows the material to perform under exposure to condensation, ice, and meltwater without the same level of degradation seen in standard corrugated.
MRB is used in applications where moisture exposure is continuous and packaging failure has a downstream impact. This includes meat packaging facilities, seafood distribution, and produce packaging, where boxes are exposed to wet conditions throughout storage and transit.
Unlike wax-coated corrugated, MRB can move through existing recovery systems, which simplifies handling for distributors and retailers. The result is a material that addresses both sides of the problem. MRB offers moisture resistance during use and compatibility with standard corrugated workflows after use.
Its key benefits include:
- Meets FDA requirements for direct food contact
- Provides superior moisture and water resistance
- Maintains stability & stacking performance
- Supports recycling and re-pulping within standards systems
Atlas Container Aligns Performance with Material Requirements
At Atlas Container, we approach cold chain packaging by focusing on how materials perform across the full distribution cycle and how they move through existing recovery systems after use. Our MRB solution fits within that approach by offering buyers a moisture-resistant option that integrates with standard corrugated recovery and recyclability. It allows us to support applications where moisture exposure is expected while keeping packaging compatible with the systems our customers already rely on.
All of our packaging solutions are designed to meet application requirements without adding constraints at the end of the packaging lifecycle. We source sustainable virgin paper but also offer different board combinations with higher recycled content when required. In addition to being recyclable, our packaging solutions use corn starch as an adhesive and non-toxic ink.
If you are evaluating alternatives to wax-coated boxes, contact us so we can review your application and recommend material that aligns with both performance and recovery requirements.
