In today’s fast-moving food industry, packaging is no longer just about packaging! For businesses in QSR, Cloud Kitchens, FMCG, Grocery, Bakery, and E-commerce Food Delivery, paper is synonymous with hygiene, freshness, and customer experiences.
But there is one silent disruptor in this supply chain, affecting many businesses in this sector: “Non-Availability of paper due to longer lead time of Approved Paper.” At Shittla Paper Global, with our strong footprint in the UK, we observe that businesses face a crisis in their supply chains where their pre-approved food-grade paper is no longer available in time due to longer lead times of their pre-approved paper. Both of these situations are a crisis in their own right. Let’s try to understand this crisis, its impact on your brand, and how Shittla Paper Global can help you overcome this crisis with our consistent and safe food-grade paper solutions.”
Table of Contents
The Real Problem: Long Lead Times & Inconsistent Paper Supply
When a brand approves a specific grade of food-grade paper based on factors like GSM, coating, stiffness, grease resistance, whiteness, or odour-free, they expect the same quality to be maintained consistently.
However, owing to long lead times, mills may not be able to provide the same grade of paper immediately. This gives rise to several operational and brand-related challenges like:
- Production delays in food boxes, cups, clamshells, pouches, master cartons, trays, and wraps
- Having to use alternate papers which may look similar but may not perform in a similar manner
- Grease resistance issues resulting in leakage from wraps or burger boxes
- Shade s of paper varying from what was earlier used, which affects printing consistency
- Odor-related issues in master cartons affecting the aroma of the food
- Variations in papers from different vendors, which may affect brand consistency
Some of the brands like McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, Tesco, Costa Coffee, Pret A Manger, etc., which are growing rapidly in the food industry in the UK, require consistent quality in their packaging. Even a small variation may affect the product’s integrity. In a market where customers notice everything—from the crispness of a burger box to the freshness of a paper cup—this inconsistency is costly.
Why Does Non-Availability Happen?
The reasons are often not immediately apparent, but are typically related to the supply chain, including:
- Mills operating at maximum capacity
- Delays in importing
- Shortage of specific food-grade chemicals or coatings
- A sudden increase in demand
- Vendors sourcing from different sources to keep up with delivery times
- Brands approving papers based solely on GSM, rather than full technical specifications
Unless there is a system of approvals and supply, brands are at the mercy of luck, and luck is rarely reliable.
Shittla Paper Global: Your Partner in Standardized, Reliable Food-Grade Paper Supply
Consistency of packaging begins with a reliable partner and a standard approval system, rather than a specification sheet, as believed by Shittla Paper Global.
Decades of expertise and availability of service across the UK enable us to assist companies with food-grade packaging requirements.
Our High-Quality Food-Grade Paper Solutions
To bridge the supply gap and ensure consistency in quality, Shittla Paper Global offers a range of food-grade papers that are food-safe and meet the requirements for packaging food products.
1. Virgin Food Boards
Ideal for food boxes, clamshells, food trays, cake containers, etc. Strong, stiff, hygienic, and printable.
2. Barrier Coated Food Boards
Ideal for greasy or moist food products such as fries, wraps, pastries, fast food containers, etc. Provides water resistance, oil resistance, and strength during delivery.
3. Fluorine-Free Greaseproof Paper
A sustainable alternative for brands who wish to stay away from using fluorinated chemicals. Ideal for burger wraps, sandwich wraps, liners, etc.
4. Virgin Food Grade Paper
Pure food-grade paper that is food-safe and hygienic. Ideal for cups, lids, trays, clamshell bases, etc.
5. Odour-Free Paper for Master Cartons
This ensures that your primary food packaging remains fresh and uncontaminated. Ideal for brands that have food products with strong aromas such as pizzas, bakery products, spices, ready-to-eat food products, etc. Each of these food-grade papers is food-safe and manufactured under strict food safety guidelines.
How Shittla Paper Global Solves the Lead Time & Non-Availability Problem
1. Multi-Mill Sourcing Strategy
We do not rely on a single mill for sourcing. We have multiple food grade mills across the globe.
2. Buffer Stock Planning for Food Brands
We help food brands maintain standardized buffer stock so that there is no disruption in supply.
3. Standardized Paper Across All Vendors
Whether you source from one vendor or ten, we ensure all vendors receive the same quality of paper.
This means your:
- Food boxes
- Paper cups
- Pizza boxes
- Greaseproof pouches
- Carry bags
- Trays
- Master cartons
will have the same strength, color, smell, printability, etc.
4. Faster Lead Times Through Strategic Warehousing
If you are a food brand looking to distribute across India, the Middle East, or even the UK, we can ensure there are no issues of sudden shortage.
5. Technical Testing & Approval Support
We can also help you understand proper standards for approvals, including:
- Cobb testing
- Grease resistance parameters
- Odour analysis
- Food grade
- Burst factor
- Coating performance
So, you don’t just approve a specification, but a quality of paper.
Why Leading Brands Choose Shittla Paper Global
Brands in India and overseas, especially the UK Food Service Industry, prefer to work with Shittla Paper Global as we offer them:
- Consistent quality in the paper we offer
- Reliability in the availability of the same
- Export capabilities worldwide
- Standardization across all their packaging suppliers
- Technical assistance for the selection of the material
This enables brands such as Tata Starbucks, Haldriam’s, Rebel Foods, Biryani Blues, Wow! Momo, Pert A Manger (UK), Costa Coffee, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Greggs (UK), and many more to maintain a unified brand image through their packaging.
Final Thoughts: Consistency Is Not Luck—it’s Strategy
And when your approved paper is not available, consistency falls apart. Food leaks. Colors bleed. Boxes buckle. Customers complain. But when you work with Shittla Paper Global, consistency becomes a part of your supply chain—not something you have to pursue.
We provide reliable, food-grade, customizable papers that help your brand maintain the same:
- Strength
- Quality
- Look
- Feel
Across all your production units, all your cities, and all your markets—across the UK, where packaging standards are among the highest in the world.
