UHMW = ultra high molecular weight. I thought about using it on the stumpysticks, but chose not to because of cost and repairability (or lack thereof).
UHMW is just that, a substance with large molecules. Its a polymer, so the molecules are very very long. The longer they are, the harder it is to scratch/damage. AND the less friction it has (because friction is caused by the molecules grabbing the surface (snow), so if they're longer, there's less hooky's to grab... make sense?)
BUT, unlike p-tex, UHMW cannot be repaired. So thats a MAJOR bummer.
p-tex all the way baby.
but yes, on boxes it would work great. I always thought they used lexan on boxes, but now that I think about it, it's probably UHMW. Nalgene bottles are made out of lexan.