If you are buying or selling recovered corrugated cardboard in the U.S. market, you have likely encountered the terms OCC11 and DSOCC. Both refer to recovered corrugated containers — cardboard boxes that have been collected, sorted, and baled for resale to paper mills. But they are not interchangeable, and the price difference between them can be substantial.
What is OCC?
OCC stands for Old Corrugated Containers. It is recovered corrugated cardboard — the material used to make shipping boxes, product packaging, and other corrugated applications. When these boxes reach the end of their useful life, they are collected, sorted, and baled for resale to mills that use them as a raw material to manufacture new corrugated board.
OCC is graded based on the percentage of contaminants and the quality of the fibers. The most common grades are OCC11 and OCC12.
OCC11: The Premium Grade
OCC11 is the highest grade of recovered corrugated cardboard. The "11" designation comes from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Scrap Specifications, which define the standards for recovered paper grades.
OCC11 Specifications:
- Minimum 90% corrugated cardboard by weight
- Maximum 10% other paper or cardboard (kraft paper, chipboard, etc.)
- Maximum 1% contamination (plastic, metal, glass, etc.)
- Minimal moisture content (typically 8–12%)
- Well-sorted, clean, and free from excessive dirt or odor
OCC11 is the preferred grade for mills producing high-quality corrugated board for export. The clean fibers and low contamination rate mean less processing waste and higher yield when the material is repulped. Mills are willing to pay premium prices for OCC11 because it reduces their processing costs and improves their product quality.
DSOCC: Double-Sorted OCC
DSOCC stands for Double-Sorted Old Corrugated Containers. It is a higher-grade version of OCC that has undergone additional sorting and quality control steps.
DSOCC Specifications:
- Minimum 95% corrugated cardboard by weight
- Maximum 5% other paper or cardboard
- Maximum 0.5% contamination
- Minimal moisture content
- Exceptionally clean, well-sorted, and free from any visible defects
- Often includes additional hand-sorting or optical sorting to remove marginal materials
DSOCC is produced by taking already-sorted OCC11 and subjecting it to a second round of sorting and quality control. This additional processing removes borderline materials that might not meet the strictest mill specifications. The result is a premium grade that commands a price premium — typically 5–15% higher than OCC11, depending on market conditions.
OCC12 and Other Grades
Below OCC11, there are lower grades:
- OCC12: Similar to OCC11 but with slightly higher contamination (up to 2%) and more flexibility on fiber composition. Typically 5–10% cheaper than OCC11.
- OCC13: Lower grade with higher contamination and more mixed paper content. Typically 10–20% cheaper than OCC11.
These lower grades are still valuable to mills, but they require more processing to remove contaminants and separate the corrugated fiber from the mixed paper content. Mills use these grades for lower-quality applications or when they have the processing capacity to handle the additional work.
Why Mills Care About Grade
The difference between OCC11 and DSOCC might seem marginal — a few percentage points of contamination — but it has real economic consequences for mills:
Processing Yield: When a mill repulps OCC, not all of the input weight becomes usable fiber. Contaminants, moisture, and processing losses reduce the yield. OCC11 typically yields 85–90% usable fiber, while DSOCC yields 90–95%. For a mill processing 1,000 tons per day, this difference translates to 50–100 tons of additional usable fiber — a significant economic advantage.
Product Quality: Lower-contamination input produces higher-quality output. Mills producing premium corrugated board for export or for demanding customers (food packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals) prefer DSOCC because it reduces the risk of contamination-related defects in their finished product.
Processing Costs: Cleaning and sorting contaminated material is labor-intensive and capital-intensive. Mills prefer to buy cleaner input to minimize these costs. A mill might pay 10% more for DSOCC if it saves 15% in processing costs.
Market Pricing
As of March 2026, typical market prices for recovered corrugated cardboard are:
- OCC11 (domestic): $46–$52 per metric ton
- DSOCC (domestic): $52–$60 per metric ton
- OCC11 (export, CNF Southeast Asia): $48–$55 per metric ton
- DSOCC (export, CNF Southeast Asia): $55–$65 per metric ton
The premium for DSOCC varies with market conditions. In tight markets, when supply is constrained, the premium widens. In oversupplied markets, the premium narrows.
For Suppliers: How to Maximize Grade
If you are a recycler or MRF operator generating OCC, here are strategies to maximize your grade and your revenue:
Invest in Sorting: The difference between OCC11 and DSOCC is primarily sorting quality. Investing in better sorting equipment or additional manual sorting labor can move material from OCC12 to OCC11 or from OCC11 to DSOCC. The revenue uplift often justifies the cost.
Manage Moisture: Moisture content affects both grade and weight. Keeping material dry improves grade and reduces transportation costs. Proper storage and handling are essential.
Minimize Contamination: Plastic film, tape, metal staples, and other contaminants reduce grade. Training staff to remove these materials during collection and sorting is critical.
For Buyers: How to Specify Grade
If you are a mill or converter purchasing OCC, be specific about your grade requirements. Specify whether you need OCC11 or DSOCC, and define your acceptable contamination levels and moisture range. This clarity helps suppliers deliver exactly what you need and reduces disputes about quality.
Conglobus International connects buyers and suppliers of OCC11 and DSOCC. If you are looking to source premium grades or move material at the right price, contact us.