Product Details
Custom Compostable Boxes for Home and Commercial Composting
Qingdao Bejan Giant New Packaging Science & Technology Co., Ltd. manufactures custom compostable paper boxes for brands that need packaging with a documented end-of-life pathway. Our boxes are built from plant-based paperboard, printed with water-based or soy-based inks, and supplied without plastic film lamination, so the finished box can enter a composting stream rather than heading to landfill.
Certified material grades are available against EN 13432 (industrial composting) and ASTM D6400, and selected uncoated grades are offered as home-compostable options. Certificate numbers and test reports for the exact grade quoted are issued with every project file, so your sustainability claims stay defensible in EU, UK, and North American markets.
Factory-direct production in Qingdao, China, with worldwide export experience
MOQ from 500 pcs; printed samples in 5–7 working days
Documentation issued per material grade, not as a blanket marketing claim
What Are Compostable Boxes?
A compostable box is a paper-based package whose board, inks, coatings, and adhesives have been tested together to break down into water, carbon dioxide, mineral salts, and biomass under defined composting conditions, without leaving ecotoxic residue above the limits set by the reference standard.
Compostability is a tested property of a specific material construction, not a general property of paper. A box qualifies only when every component in the build — board, coating, ink, glue, window, and closure — has been assessed as one system.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable vs. Recyclable
| Property | Compostable (certified grade) | Biodegradable (unqualified claim) | Recyclable paperboard |
|---|
| Reference standard | EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 | No fixed standard or timeframe | EN 643 fibre grades |
| Timeframe | Assessed within the standard’s test period | Undefined | Not applicable |
| Ecotoxicity assessed | Yes, required by the standard | Usually not | Not applicable |
| Intended end-of-life route | Industrial compost, or home compost for tested grades | Undefined | Paper recycling stream |
| Plastic lamination | Not used | Sometimes present | Reduces recyclability |
| Documentation we supply | Certificate number + test report | — | Fibre composition statement |
Because “biodegradable” carries no fixed test period, we use it as a descriptive term only and rely on certified compostable grades for compliance claims.
Certifications and Test Documentation
Certification is tied to the material grade and finishing you select, so we do not apply one certificate across the whole catalogue.
| Standard / Scheme | Scope | Applies to | Documentation issued |
|---|
| EN 13432 | Industrial compostability of packaging | Plant-based paperboard, kraft with aqueous coating, PLA-coated paper | Certificate no. + conformity test report |
| ASTM D6400 | US compostability standard | Same grades, on request | Test report reference |
| TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL | Third-party industrial composting mark | Selected coated grades | Licence no. from the material mill |
| TÜV Austria OK compost HOME | Third-party home composting mark | Uncoated and aqueous-coated grades | Licence no. from the material mill |
| Food-contact compliance | EU 1935/2004, FDA 21 CFR | Direct-contact food grades | Declaration of Compliance |
| FSC® Chain of Custody | Responsible fibre sourcing | Available on request | CoC code on invoice |
Certificate numbers, issuing bodies, and validity dates are listed on the certifications page and restated in your quotation. If a grade is not certified for your target market, we will say so and propose an alternative rather than reuse a neighbouring grade’s claim.
Material Options
All grades below share one construction principle: plant-based board, compostable coating chemistry, no BOPP / PET / PE film lamination.
| Material grade | Composition | Composting route | Typical certification | Best suited to |
|---|
| Plant-based grey chipboard (standard) | Recovered plant fibre with plant-derived binder | Industrial; home for uncoated build | EN 13432, ASTM D6400 | Cosmetics, retail, dry goods |
| Natural kraft + aqueous coating | Virgin or recycled kraft, water-based coating | Industrial; home for tested grades | EN 13432, OK compost HOME | Artisan food, tea, eco brands |
| PLA-coated paper | Paper with corn-derived PLA barrier | Industrial only | EN 13432, OK compost INDUSTRIAL | Light moisture or grease barrier |
| Mineral-filled paper (stone paper) | Calcium carbonate with non-polyolefin binder | Industrial | Grade-dependent, confirmed per lot | Premium tear-resistant boxes |
| Moulded fibre insert | Agricultural fibre pulp | Industrial; home for uncoated | EN 13432 | Inserts replacing EPE / EVA foam |
Our default specification is uncoated or aqueous-coated plant-based paperboard, because it keeps both industrial and home composting routes open and avoids barrier layers that complicate disposal.
Moisture and grease resistance on compostable coatings is lower than on plastic lamination. We share barrier test data during sampling so packaging performance is validated before mass production.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Available range |
|---|
| Board thickness | 250–1200 gsm chipboard; 1.0–3.0 mm rigid board |
| Box styles | Reverse tuck end, auto-lock bottom, hinged flip lid, two-piece base and lid, mailer box, sleeve, drawer box |
| Printing | Offset CMYK up to 6 colours + 2 spot colours; Pantone matching |
| Inks | Water-based and soy-based as standard |
| Finishing | Aqueous coating, compostable soft-touch, embossing, debossing, foil-free effects, uncoated |
| Windows | Cellulose-based film (industrial compost) or die-cut open window |
| Closures | Water-based cold glue, mechanical lock, paper tape |
| Sizes | Fully bespoke; tolerance ±1.0 mm on outer dimensions |
| MOQ | 500 pcs (digital), 1000 pcs (offset) |
| Sampling | Blank mock-up 3–5 working days; printed sample 5–7 working days |
| Production lead time | 12–18 working days after artwork and sample approval |
| Shipping terms | FOB Qingdao, CIF, DDP by agreement |
Die-line templates are available on the packaging templates page.
Printing and Finishing on Compostable Board
Print quality on plant-based board is strong, with a few predictable differences from plastic-laminated packaging.
What works well
Water-based and soy-based inks on uncoated kraft and grey board, giving a natural matte finish
One- and two-colour designs, which register cleanly and keep ink coverage low
Embossing, debossing, and structural detailing, adding perceived value without extra chemistry
Interior printing, useful for disposal instructions and unboxing messaging
What to plan for
Colours on unbleached kraft shift warmer; we supply a printed colour guide before approval
High-gloss effects are not available without film lamination, which we exclude by design
Metallic effects use foil-free alternatives, so brightness is lower than hot foil
We recommend printing a short disposal instruction on every box, for example: “Industrially compostable where facilities exist. Check local collection.” This keeps consumer guidance accurate and supports EU packaging labelling expectations.
Applications and Project Examples
| Sector | Typical requirement | Example specification |
|---|
| Clean beauty | Secondary packaging with a documented disposal route | 350 gsm plant-based board, reverse tuck end, 2-colour water-based print, moulded fibre insert |
| Tea and dry food | Direct food contact, aroma retention | Kraft with aqueous coating, EN 13432 grade, Declaration of Compliance issued |
| Subscription boxes | Consumer composts at home | Uncoated kraft mailer, OK compost HOME grade, paper tape closure |
| Garden and seeds | Low cost, home compostable | 250 gsm uncoated board, single-colour print |
| Food service takeaway | Grease resistance, stackability | PLA-coated paper, industrial composting labelling |
| Pet treats | Food-safe, tear resistance | Mineral-filled paper drawer box, aqueous coating |
Related reading: compostable vs. recyclable packaging; EU packaging compliance checklist.
Ordering Process
Brief — share product dimensions, weight, target market, and the disposal claim you intend to print.
Material recommendation — we propose one or two grades with matching certificate numbers.
Quotation — unit price by quantity tier, tooling, and freight options.
Sampling — blank mock-up first, then printed sample with colour proof.
Mass production — 12–18 working days with in-line quality checks.
Documentation pack — certificates, test reports, and Declaration of Compliance where applicable.
[Start a project brief] or [talk to an engineer].
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your compostable boxes certified? Certification is issued per material grade. Our standard plant-based paperboard and aqueous-coated kraft grades hold EN 13432 conformity, with ASTM D6400 reports available on request. We provide the certificate number and issuing body for the exact grade quoted.
What is the difference between home compostable and industrially compostable? Industrial composting relies on elevated temperatures and controlled conditions in a commercial facility. Home composting is assessed at ambient temperature over a longer period. Only grades tested under a home composting scheme, such as OK compost HOME, should be labelled home compostable.
How long does a compostable box take to break down? Under EN 13432, compostability is assessed against the standard’s disintegration and biodegradation criteria within its defined test period. Real-world timing depends on facility conditions, board thickness, and coating, so we report tested performance for the specific grade rather than a single fixed figure.
Can compostable boxes be used for direct food contact? Yes, for grades supplied with food-contact documentation under EU 1935/2004 or FDA 21 CFR. Confirm the food type and contact duration so we can select a compliant grade.
Do you laminate compostable boxes? No plastic film lamination is used on these grades. Lamination in BOPP, PET, or PE would prevent the box from meeting compostability requirements, so we use aqueous coatings, compostable soft-touch coatings, or an uncoated finish.
What is your minimum order quantity? 500 pcs for digital printing and 1000 pcs for offset printing. Lower quantities are possible for sampling and market tests.
Can you match our existing box dimensions and artwork? Yes. Send your current die-line and artwork files, and we will map them onto a compostable material build and flag any structural changes needed.
Are compostable boxes also recyclable? Uncoated and aqueous-coated paper grades are generally acceptable in paper recycling streams, while PLA-coated grades should go to composting. We state the recommended route for each grade in writing so on-pack labelling stays accurate.
Do you supply the documentation needed for retailer audits? Yes. Each shipment can include compostability certificates, test reports, Declaration of Compliance, and FSC® Chain of Custody codes where the grade is covered.
Request Samples or a Quotation
Send your product dimensions, target market, and intended disposal claim, and we will return a material recommendation with certificate references, unit pricing, and a sampling schedule.
