What is OCC? A Buyer's Guide to Old Corrugated Containers

OCC — Old Corrugated Containers — is the workhorse of the global recycled paper industry. It's used to make new kraft liner, test liner and fluting medium at recycled paper mills worldwide.

ISRI Grades - **Grade 11 (OCC)**: standard mixed OCC bales from retail, industrial and residential sources. Contamination target <1.5%. - **Grade 12 (Double-Sorted OCC / DS-OCC)**: cleaner, sorted grade with contamination <0.5%. Premium price.

Where does OCC come from? Retail (big-box stores), e-commerce warehouses, industrial waste streams, and residential curbside recycling programs.

Key Buyer Specs - **Bale weight**: 400-500 kg - **Moisture**: <12% - **Prohibitive material**: <0.5% (plastic, foam, metal) - **Contraries**: <1.5%

Typical Price OCC prices vary wildly by region and month. As of mid-2025: - **North America**: USD 90-140/MT - **CIF India/Vietnam**: USD 180-230/MT

Sourcing Through NIKSO GLOBAL INC. We supply Grade 11 and Grade 12 OCC from Canadian MRFs, guaranteed to meet ISRI specs. Minimum order is one FCL (~25 MT).