TL;DR
The corrugated-to-flexible cost spread is at its widest since 2022. CORR up 14% YoY at $0.486/unit. FLEX eased 1.4% to $0.370/unit. Divergent input dynamics create specification review opportunities.
The Spread in Numbers
PackIndex CORR/FLEX ratio: 1.31x (up from 1.18x in January 2025).
- CORR inputs (OCC, Kraftliner, energy): All elevated. OCC +18% YoY.
- FLEX inputs (PP, BOPP film): PP pulling back from January peak.
L2 Semi-Finished Comparison
| L2 Input | 4-week change | Feeds into |
|---|---|---|
| KRLNR (Kraftliner) | +4.8% | CORR |
| BOPP Film | -2.1% | FLEX, LABL |
| FBB | +2.2% | RGID, CRTN |
When Flexible Has a Cost Case
- Transit secondary packaging for non-fragile goods
- Inner pouches within corrugated master cases
- Ecommerce soft goods under 500g
Use the PackIndex benchmark tool (Professional tier) to compare L3 index costs at your volume band.
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