Displaying items by tag: DS Smith

DS Smith Tecnicarton, an expert provider of industrial packaging solutions and part of the leading global sustainable packaging company DS Smith, launches MAX lamination technology. The new solution increases the resistance of corrugated cardboard packaging and optimizes stacking potential - extending possibilities for reuse as a fully recyclable solution.

DS Smith Tecnicarton expert designers superimposed up to ten layers of corrugated cardboard to create MAX technology. This includes standardized special folding creases to achieve a larger box format with increased resistance, and the design has evolved out of a six-wave laminated packaging solution comprised of up to ten channels.

DS Smith heavy-duty packaging, the Magnus-IBC Kraft, has a capacity of 1,000 Litres and a resistance of 10,000 KG and the bulk packages have been designed as a sustainable and 100% recyclable alternative to traditional plastic Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC).

DS Smith production processes and the companies’ unique circular economy design metrics approach has resulted in significant market leading improvements to the technology of large laminate packaging casings.

These include bespoke ergonomic creases that enable packaging to be assembled easily. They are also foldable and have resulted in significant space saving during supply chain cycles as well as successful reuse cycles, and a reduction in CO2 during transportation. For example, in the automotive sector, Tecnipack cardboard has enabled laminated strips to be re-used up to ten times within the supply chain for transportation between Spain and the United States of America (USA).

In addition, the resistance offered by lamination technology has made it possible to replace wooden packaging with lighter, cheaper, and completely recyclable100% cardboard packaging.

DS Smith Tecnicarton has made 100% of its packaging products recyclable or reusable, and DS Smith is committed to fulfilling the objectives of it’s Now & Next Sustainability Strategy ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’.

Ignacio Montfort, Managing Director, DS Smith Iberia:

"We are constantly looking for ways to innovate and find solutions to the environmental challenges of the day. Our company wide 'Now & Next' sustainability strategy and vision is a benchmark for our product innovations and targets. We are confident that these new packaging product innovations will positively impact on the packaging supply chain and environment for future generations, as well as for our present-day clients and their customers as we accelerate the transition to a low-carbon circular economy”.

MAX lamination technology is an innovation created as a result of the opening of a DS Smith facility dedicated to specializing in laminating corrugated cardboard sheets in Arborç (Tarragona) in 2017, and DS Smith Iberia has twenty-six packaging facilities, six recycling facilities, and three paper-making facilities in operation across the Iberian Peninsula.

DS Smith

DS Smith Plc. is a leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a significant role in the value chain across sectors including e-Commerce, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and industrials. Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society. Key targets include replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains, and providing innovative recycling solutions. The company has also established a bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, and circular metrics design capabilities for innovation are integral to operations.

DS Smith headquarters are in London, United Kingdom and the company is a member of the FTSE 100. It holds operations in thirty-four countries and employs more than 30,000 people. DS Smith is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation with a commitment to the circular economy and was originally set up in London in the 1940s as a box-making business by the Smith family.

About DS Smith Tecnicarton, Iberia

DS Smith Tecnicarton specializes in innovative solutions for the industrial packaging sector with a core business focus on creating solutions for single-use and returnable packaging for the transport and logistics of high volume, high weight products, liquid, fluid and bulk products requiring specialist protection.

DS Smith Now & Next Sustainability ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ Strategy - https://www.dssmith.com/sustainability/sustainability-strategy

Key targets reached:

• 100% of our packaging is now recyclable or reusable
• 100% of our energy consumption is ISO50001 Certified
• We have already launched one hundred biodiversity projects across Europe & North America
• 100% of our sites in areas of high-water stress now have a water mitigation plan
• All our forests have forest management certification
• 100% of manufacturing sites are FSC certified
• 100% of the papers we use in manufacturing are recycled or chain of custody certified
• We have conducted a group human rights risk assessment and published our Human Rights Policy 

Now & Next targets currently ahead of schedule:

• By 2025, remove 1 billion items of problem plastic 
• By 2025, optimize fibre for individual supply chains in 100% of new packaging solutions
• By 2030, engage five million people in the circular economy and circular lifestyles

Company website: www.dssmith.com

DS Smith PLC, the leading global sustainable fibre-based packaging company and Coca Cola HBC Austria have collaborated to replace plastic handles for 1.5 litre PET soft drink multi-packs with cardboard based outer packaging. This new plastic replacement solution will be delivered to supermarkets in Austria as of September 2023.

The innovative packaging solution, DS Smith Lift Up, is a 100% recyclable corrugated handle which improves carry functionality for consumers and is designed to contribute together with other partners to the kraft paper and cardboard based solution that reduces around 200 tonnes of plastic each year for Coca-Cola HBC Austria.

DS Smith and Coca-Cola HBC share a strong vision for innovative packaging solutions designed to be 100% recyclable and to use the least amount of material needed.

DS Smith Lift Up was designed using DS Smith’s unique Circular Design Metrics approach resulting in a significant reduction in carbon footprint for the packaging and manufacturing line of products. The DS Smith Lift Up innovation can be applied to different bottle sizes and is manufactured in partnership with Krones, a leading packaging machine manufacturer. The carrier handle has a soft grip that makes products easy to carry while they remain secure within their sustainable packaging. This has been designed for PET bottles for consumption at home.

Stefano Rossi, CEO Packaging Solutions Division, DS Smith:

“We are proud to partner on this innovative packaging solution, driving out unnecessary waste and single use plastic. The DS Smith Lift Up concept was designed using DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics approach, so it uses the least amount of material possible, reduces impact on the environment and looks fantastic in stores and supermarkets.

Collaboration with our partners Coca-Cola HBC and Krones is key to reducing single use plastics and delivering innovative change at scale. We hold sustainable design at the heart of what we do as a company, and this is a shining example of the opportunity for innovation in packaging to lead the way to a more sustainable future for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers”.

Marcel Martin, CCHBC’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer:

“This is the first-ever packaging solution of its kind for 1.5 litre multipacks of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite. It’s the result of our entrepreneurial mindset, an absolute belief in collaborating with trusted partners and our focus on reaching net zero emissions by 2040. In 2022, our company was ranked for the sixth time as the world’s most sustainable beverage company 2022 by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the world’s leading global sustainability benchmarks. We are honoured that our score positioned us top among more than 7,000 companies across 61 industries according to the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2023. 2023 continued with the highest sustainability scores from the MSCI ESG Ratings, for the ninth year running. However, we understand the immense size of the task we have in front of us to create a more sustainable business. We’ll continue to innovate, collaborate and invest so we can continue to deliver our drinks in sustainable ways.”

The new packaging solution for 1.5 litre PET multi-packs will be used for Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Mezzo mix brands in Austria.

DS Smith PLC

DS Smith is a leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. The company plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods, food and beverage, and industrials. Through its purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to a circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society inclusive of replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains, and providing recycling solutions alongside innovative R&D. A unique approach to service and optimisation of sustainable supply chains, bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy, sit at the heart of this purpose. Headquartered in London, DS Smith is listed as member of the FTSE100. The business operates in thirty-four countries, and is responsible for circa 30,000 employees, with headquarters in London, United Kingdom. It is a strategic partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which works with business, academia, policymakers, and institutions, to mobilise global systems solutions at scale and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. DS Smith was started by the London based Smith family as a box-making business in London in the 1940s.

Links: Redefining Packaging for a Changing World - www.dssmith.com/packaging/about/our-sustainability-strategy

Website: www.dssmith.com

Coca-Cola HBC

Coca-Cola HBC is a growth-focused consumer packaged goods business and strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company. We open up moments that refresh us all, by creating value for our stakeholders and supporting the socio-economic development of the communities in which we operate. With a vision to be the leading 24/7 beverage partner, we offer drinks for all occasions around the clock and work together with our customers to serve 740 million consumers across a broad geographic footprint of 29 countries. Our portfolio is one of the strongest, broadest and most flexible in the beverage industry, with consumer-leading beverage brands in the sparkling, adult sparkling, juice, water, sport, energy, ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and premium spirits categories. These include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Kinley, Costa Coffee, Caffè Vergnano, Valser, FuzeTea, Powerade, Cappy, Monster Energy, The Macallan, Jack Daniel’s and Grey Goose. We foster an open and inclusive work environment amongst our 33,000 employees and believe that building a more positive environmental impact is integral to our future growth. We rank among the top sustainability performers in ESG benchmarks such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, CDP, MSCI ESG, FTSE4Good and ISS ESG. Coca-Cola HBC has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CCH) and is listed on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEE).

Website: https://www.coca-colahellenic.com/

Krones Technology

Krones are a one-stop shop for producers of liquid consumer goods. Top-quality beverages and liquid foods are made of valuable raw materials like water, plant-based proteins and oats, fresh milk or hops, malt and yeast. But before they leave the factory, they go through a host of different processing steps – and the Krones Group has a suitable technical solution for each of these, starting with production itself, then state-of-the-art filling and packaging lines right through to plastics recycling, intralogistics and digitalisation.  The company is headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany.

Website: https://www.krones.com

Leading sustainable packaging company, DS Smith, has just announced a partnership with packaging machinery and systems provider Krones to create ECO Carrier, a fibre-based alternative to shrink-wrap for PET multipack bottles.

• Two leading companies partner to provide fibre-based alternative to plastic on multipack bottled drinks

Showcased during the drinktec trade fair in Munich from the 12^th – 16^th September, ECO Carrier can be applied using the Krones mechanisation system for its LitePac Top range, which applies sustainable packaging solutions to PET. The system uses corrugated board clips to hold PET bottles together and is particularly suitable for a bottle range from 1L to 1.5L, in a multipack function of 2x2 or 3x2.  

Marc Chiron, Sales, Marketing & Innovation Director, Packaging at DS Smith said: “Our customers and consumers are demanding more sustainable solutions to replace problem plastic while integrating seamlessly with their production lines.

“Through our work with Krones, we are able to help our customers reduce their plastic usage, increase recyclability and transition to the circular economy by providing fully-recyclable fibre-based alternatives through an easy-to-implement solution.”

Wolfgang Huber, Head of Order Center and Assembly, Packaging Technology at Krones said “Our collaboration with DS Smith represents our shared sustainability ambitions which seek to provide products that align with consumers’ increasing desire for climate- and environment-friendly lifestyles.

“As a turnkey supplier with customers in every corner of the world, we have the expertise, the technologies, and the reach to contribute substantially to the complex sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow by making use of proven and state of the art packaging machinery made by Krones.”

Integrating seamlessly with production lines and consumer branding

Krones’ Variopac Pro® solution is designed so that it can be integrated seamlessly for the customer’s production line for minimum disruption and maximum efficiency. First trials in the field have shown that the ECO Carrier application is fully compatible with Krones Variopac Pro® and keeps up with line performance demands.

ECO Carrier is also fully customisable, enabling brands to incorporate their branding onto the cardboard bottle carrier and paper band.

Sustainability benefits

ECO Carrier offers substantial environmental benefits beyond plastic replacement. Designed using DS Smith’s innovative Circular Design Metrics, ECO Carrier has the potential for a 71% reduction in carbon footprint compared to plastic shrink-wrap, 100% recyclability, 100% renewable sources and is 100% planet safe^[1].

ECO Carrier will be available to view at drinktec, Munich on the Krones stand located in Hall B6. For more information, please view the DS Smith website: New sustainable alternative to shrink wrap for PET bottle multipack - DS Smith

About DS Smith:  

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials.

Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response.

Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.

About Krones:

The Krones Group, headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, plans, develops and manufactures machines and complete lines for the fields of process, filling and packaging technology. And Krones also offers a fit-for-purpose solution for bottle-to-bottle recycling of PET containers. The product portfolio subsumed in the House of Krones is rounded off by numerous products and services from Krones’ subsidiaries, themed around digitalisation, for example, digital container decoration, intralogistics and in-house valve production. Every day, millions of bottles, cans, and special-shaped containers are handled on lines from Krones, particularly in breweries, the soft-drinks sector and at producers of still or sparkling wines, and spirits, but also in the food and luxury-goods industries, plus the chemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.

Worldwide, Krones employs around 16,300 people. Consolidated sales in 2021 totalled 3.635 billion euros. Around 90 per cent of its products are sold abroad. The group includes not only Krones AG (listed on the stock exchange), but also more than 100 subsidiaries and further sales and service companies worldwide.

DS Smith has partnered with Veetee to create a sector-leading, fully recyclable Rice Box with the aim of removing over 50 tonnes of problem plastic

Delivering sustainable packaging with optimal consumer convenience significantly increases a brand’s chance of standing out on the shelf. Veetee Rice Ltd’s dry rice pack is a sector-leading solution that removes the need to use plastic bags or standard skillets in its packaging, with a box lid that can be removed, used as a measure, and then reseals the pack for ease of storage.

As one of the UK’s largest rice companies, Veetee’s pioneering solution is a fully recyclable fibre-based rice box with a unique portion measure and was created by DS Smith who works closely with their customers to support the removal of problem plastics from supermarket shelves.

The innovative solution reinforces both companies’ position as sector leaders in plastic replacement, as the fully fibre-based box replaces existing plastic bag options currently on the market and aims to remove over 50 tonnes of plastic from the UK market.

FTSE 100 sustainable packaging company DS Smith worked closely with Veetee and its design brief to create a product that is not only friendlier on the environment but makes it simple for customers to measure portions using a replaceable box lid. The concept of incorporating the portion measure is unique to the sector, solving a consumer problem and helping the brand to stand out from its competitors.

Dave Ellerington, Head of Design & Innovation and Business Development at DS Smith Packaging UK & Ireland said: “It’s been excellent to work with Veetee who share our goal of reducing the use of harmful plastics and giving consumers truly sustainable options. We were able to use our unique circular design principles and metrics in the development of this design to ensure the final product is convenient for customers as well as being sustainable. 

“Our work with Veetee has once again been able to show how packaging is vital for brands who are looking to become more circular and reduce their environmental impact”.

James Brett, Marketing Director for Veetee Group said: “Working with DS Smith to create our industry-leading rice box has allowed us to achieve our goal of selling our product that is a premium, sustainable solution and disruptive on the shelf. We’re also proud to be providing an enhanced customer experience through the box’s unique portion measure, meaning the packaging helps our brand stand out from the crowd”.

The pack has been developed to be filled on Veetee’s fully automated packing lines and within its existing footprint to maximise and improve supply chain efficiency. Following design, development, and manufacturing in the UK, the rice box was first launched in the US in May 2021 before being sold in major UK supermarkets.

CASE STUDY

Market-first rice box champions sustainability in sector

DS Smith has partnered with Veetee to remove over 50 tonnes of problem plastic with innovative fully recyclable fibre-based rice box

Veetee Rice Ltd – one of the largest rice companies in the UK, supplying rice to major supermarkets and exporting internationally to over 50 countries – has partnered with DS Smith to create packaging that optimises consumer convenience and helps it stand out on supermarket aisles, whilst designing-out unnecessary plastics.

Veetee sought to introduce several new features to their packaging design including developing a premium dry rice pack for supermarkets, replacing plastic bags with a carton board pack and ensuring the carton was leak-proof and stable when being filled on Veetee’s automated packing lines.

In collaboration with Veetee, DS Smith’s technical and operational experts went through a series of design developments. The final product successfully designed-out the need for plastic bags and created a lid that doubled up as a portion measure, which is unique in the sector.

The concept of incorporating the portion measure solves a consumer problem and helps Veetee to stand out from its competitors. The new packaging design – which is a fully recyclable fibre-based box –aims to remove more than 50 tonnes of plastic from the UK market and demonstrates DS Smith’s continued expertise in replacing problem plastic.

Dave Ellerington, Head of Design & Innovation and Business Development at DS Smith Packaging UK & Ireland said: “Reducing the volume unnecessary plastics in circulation and giving consumers truly sustainable options are two goals that we share with Veetee. We used our unique circular design principles in the development of this solution, to ensure the final product would maintain and optimise materials whilst being fully recyclable. 

“Our work with Veetee has once again highlighted why packaging cannot be overlooked by brands looking to reduce their environmental impact. It’s really satisfying knowing that our solution will remove over 50 tonnes of problem plastic from circulation, avoiding further waste being sent to landfill or ending up in our environment.”

James Brett, Marketing Director for Veetee Group said: “Working with DS Smith to create our market-first rice box has allowed us to achieve our goal of selling a product that is not only premium, but disruptive and sustainable. We’re proud to be providing an enhanced customer experience as the only brand to include a portion measure within the packaging’s design.”

The rice box has been developed to be filled on Veetee’s fully automated packing lines and within its existing footprint to maximise and improve supply chain efficiency. The one-piece design enables a high-quality print to be used on the inside and outside of the carton, creating an enhanced customer opening experience. The complex double-skinned construction creates a collar for the lid, whereas most other carton packs are single skinned.

The pack is entirely designed, developed and manufactured in the UK at DS Smith’s Neath site.

For more information on DS Smith, please visit: https://www.dssmith.com/packaging

For more information on Veetee Rice, please visit: https://www.veetee.com/

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.

Sustainable packaging firm leads plastic replacement fight

DS Smith has just announced that it has designed out over 313 million pieces of problem plastics in the last two years alone¹ as part of its ambitious plastic replacement programme.

The significant figure equates to more than three million units per week, as customers and consumers demonstrate demand for fibre-based packaging as an alternative to hard-to-recycle plastics.

To meet this demand, DS Smith designers have worked with customers to create 1,000s of new innovations to replace plastic. Solutions have been created to remove everyday plastic items including ready-meal trays, plastic fruit and vegetable punnets and plastic six pack rings that pollute the planet. This all comes at a time when campaign groups are highlighting the amount of plastic that ends up as waste, making it more important than ever to remove them at the design phase.

Samantha Upham, Sustainability Business Partner – Sales, Marketing & Innovation commented: “With our help, customers are accelerating their ambitions to remove problem plastics from their products. By using our Circular Design Metrics, we can easily show not just where plastic can be replaced, but how circular their packaging is right now and where we can make improvements together.

“All 700 of our designers have been trained in our Circular Design Principles, which means we can design out problem plastics at inception stage and find alternative fibre-based solutions which deliver the required attributes.”

Over the next year, DS Smith will continue to drive adoption of fibre-based alternatives amongst customers in response to consumer demand for plastic alternatives. In a recent survey commissioned by DS Smith, 4 in 10 consumers (41 per cent)^2a wanted packaging made from alternative renewable sources, whilst in a separate survey, 52 per cent of Brits said they would purchase products that contain less plastic to help improve recycling rates in the UK.^2b

As part of DS Smith’s Now & Next sustainability targets, the company has an ambition to take one billion pieces of problem plastics off supermarket shelves, replacing them with corrugated alternatives. DS Smith’s plastic replacement work and wider sustainability progress can be found in its latest sustainability report which can be found here.

1. Over a 2-year period from May 2020 to April 2022
2. Market research conducted by OnePoll:
   1. Consumer research: 2,000 UK adults who have shopped online in the past six months. Conducted between 17^th June and 23^rd June 2022 
   2. Consumer research: 2,000 UK adults who have shopped online in the past six months. Conducted between 17th June and 23rd June 2022
      

About DS Smith:  

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials.

Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response.

Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.

Over half (51%) of retail sales globally are a result of online shopping , and this e-commerce growth shows no sign of abating. At the same time, there is mounting pressure on retailers and brands to live up to consumers’ sustainability expectations.

Both trends are putting pressure on supply chains – and the packaging that these goods travel in. So, we need to get the packaging right. Doing so makes for a more efficient supply chain and reduces the packaging and item’s impact on the environment. Packaging that is expertly designed and fit for purpose can help to reduce waste in several ways – including preventing the items from being damaged and returned, as well as reducing the amount of packaging used, benefitting both a brand’s reputation and the environment.

About Susana – Susana joined DS Smith in 2019 and is a packaging specialist with more than 20 years of industry experience.

Keeping materials in circulation

Fibre based packaging has the highest recycling rates of any packaging, and therefore is the ideal choice for brands looking to make their supply chains more sustainable. At DS Smith our box-to-box circular business model means that we can recycle cardboard and use its fibres in new packaging in just two weeks. Additionally, we’re able to recycle fibres up to 25 times, making sure we keep materials in circulation for longer.

Of course, other materials have alternative properties, such as plastic being able to keep food fresh for long shelf-life applications and act as a barrier to liquid. It’s important that we harness these useful properties in cardboard packaging and ensure our cardboard boxes are as strong as possible, to reduce the number of hard to recycle plastics in circulation and prevent further plastic litter making its way into the sea. Following the recent global push to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans, there could not be a more pertinent time to ensure that we are eliminating hard-to-recycle plastics.

Supplementing fibres to make products stronger

Barrier technology development and innovation is pivotal to this effort of using fibre-based packaging to replace hard-to-recycle plastics. Innovations in surface treatments, coating formulations and technologies of application are key to developing recyclable corrugated board boxes able to contribute to the reduction in the use of plastic. This involves supplementing fibres to make products stronger and water-resistant to emulate the properties of plastic packaging.1

Finding the right fit

Protecting e-commerce goods in transit from when they enter a box in the supply chain to the point of delivery to the customer is essential. But not every journey is the same. It is key that the right barrier is used on each box, to optimise it for performance and sustainability. From how it is applied, its efficiency, to considerations such as how easily it allows the board to be folded into a box – designers must take everything into account.

Through the supply chain, boxes can be subjected to various pollutants, such as water, humidity, and grease. All of these can cause damage to the packaging and its contents if not adequately protected.

The challenge lies in which material is used to manufacture these barriers. DS Smith harness the experience and expertise of our designers to optimise packaging barriers for recycling. If a traditional plastic solution is to be used, this should be fully recyclable or have properties that allow the plastic to break down in the recycling process. At DS Smith, our threshold is that a conventional plastic barrier should make up no more than 5% of the box’s content, otherwise this will reduce its recyclability.

Sustainable lamination technology is one possible option for fibre solutions that could replace hard-to-recycle plastics in packaging in traditional or e-commerce channels. A thin plastic layer can be laminated on top of the fibre board, and we can ensure that this constitutes less than 5% of the box. There are also alternatives of non-plastic materials for lamination giving barrier properties for certain applications.

Ongoing innovations

DS Smith’s R&D team have created a further innovative barrier option which uses biodegradable and water-soluble polymers to protect a box on its journey to the customer. These can be separated from the recyclable fibres during the recycling process. Therefore, these plastic alternatives could in theory constitute more than 5% of the box if necessary, as the consumer is not being relied on to make the separation. Using recyclable plastic alternatives is beneficial for the environment as it means that hard plastics are removed from circulation, and the adoption of biodegradable fibres means that there is less contamination in the recycling process.

In other instances, the plastic layer can be eliminated entirely using a substitute such as coating or varnishes. Different formulations of coatings are under investigation at DS Smith’s R&D Programme. These coatings are robust to protect the box, whilst also working towards 100% recyclability – and a circular economy.

Long term goals

As we look to the future, our R&D team continues to put sustainability at the heart of our innovation process, aligning with DS Smith’s Circular Economy led Now and Next Sustainability strategy which pledges to offer all customers 100% recyclable packaging within two years. As part of our £100 million R&D investment, a key focus of ours will be accelerating research into new materials, including expansion of barrier technologies which can be utilised in e-commerce packaging.

The options for barrier technologies continue to expand and fibre-based solutions are challenging the misconception that plastic is the best protection for goods in transit. Not only can they provide proper protection, but their recyclability makes them more sustainable too.

^{1 https://www.wundermanthompson.com/news/over-half-of-spend-globally-will-be-online-post-covid-19-pandemic} 

Packaging giant DS Smith is warning brands and retailers that the Covid-19 pandemic does not mean they can overlook their environmental efforts after European research shows that shoppers continue to prioritise sustainable packaging. 

• New European research shows that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to new shopping habits - but consumers continue to prioritise sustainable packaging 
• 85% of people say they want to buy products that use as little packaging as possible 
• Almost a third (29%) say they havestopped buying particular brands because their packaging was not sustainable 

The new study, conducted by DS Smith and Ipsos MORI, a global leader in market research, reveals that despite the global health crisis, shoppers still have their eye on the environment; with 85% of consumers wanting to buy products that use as little packaging as possible, and almost a third (29%) admitting that they have stopped buying particular brands altogether because their packaging was not sustainable. 

The analysis was carried out among 9000 respondents across 12 European countries and shows that while shopping habits may have changed, sustainability continues to be key. 

The pandemic has led two thirds (68%) to agree that they try to spend as little time in-store as possible, and has prompted sizeable growth in e-commerce. It is important therefore to note that half (48%) of online shoppers say they have received ‘unsustainable’ e-commerce packing, and one in five (22%) say they have stopped buying from some online retailers because the packaging they sent was not sustainable. 

Stefano Rossi, CEO DS Smith Packaging commented: “We’ve spent the last eight months helping our customers adapt to a seismic shift in consumer behaviour and the ever-evolving challenges of the pandemic. As a leader in innovative packaging solutions we need to understand how consumer attitudes change to be able to best serve our customers and society. This new research not only reveals what has changed because of Covid-19, it also shows what priorities have endured and that sustainability is still front of mind for consumers across Europe. Retailers and brands need to embrace sustainable packaging at such an important time to ensure they reap the environmental and consumer benefits.”

Hygiene is another concern for consumers withmore than half (57%) saying they wash their hands thoroughly after touching e-commerce packaged products and 30% throw packaging away more quickly - highlighting the need for visible, straightforward disposal information. 

56% of shoppers now worry about how many people have touched in-store products (78% in Portugal, 68% in Spain and 65% in the UK). As a consequence, some choose items from the back of the shelf which people are less likely to have touched. 

One in three (33%) also wash or disinfect all loose items such as fruit and vegetables and 12% now avoid buying loose unpacked goods (22% in Finland and 19% in the UK). In response to this, DS Smith has developed a host of new innovative packaging designs such as corrugated punnets for fruits and vegetables, eco-boxes for eggs, and handling solutions for bottles and dairy products. 

DS Smith expects the need for new sustainable packaging solutions will rise in the coming months, with the company continuing to applyits Circular Design Principles - developed in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation - to design high-performing, circular packaging solutions to meet the evolving challenges of the marketplace. 

The principles reflect DS Smith’s aim to use packaging and recycling to enable the circular economy, a goal laid out in its recently launched Now and Next Sustainability Strategy. Two of the company’s focus areas are to offer 100% reusable or recyclable packaging and to replace problem plastics with sustainable alternatives. 

More details on DS Smith’s sustainability strategy can be found here. 

Access to the report can be found on the DS Smith website here. 

About DS Smith: 

DS Smithis a leading provider of corrugated packaging worldwide, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith focuses on creating innovative sustainable packaging solutions in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people. Using the combined expertise of its divisions – including Packaging, Recycling, Paper – DS Smith works with customers to deliver solutions that reduce complexity and deliver results throughout the supply chain. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family. 

ABOUT THE RESEARCH 

DS Smith partnered with the world-leading research company Ipsos MORI to conduct the consumer research. Ipsos MORI interviewed an online sample of 8,500 adults aged 18-65 in the UK, France, Poland, Germany, Italy and Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden and 500 adults aged 18-55 in Portugal, between the 24th September and the 19th October 2020. Data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions for age, gender, region and working status within each country. 

DS Smith reinforces commitment to the circular economy with ambitious two-phase sustainability strategy

DS Smith, the FTSE 100 leading provider of sustainable packaging, has just launched its new sustainability vision and strategy, Now and Next, which maps out ambitious commitments and goals for the next decade.

Through its innovative two-phased Now and Next approach, DS Smith will continue to focus on the transition to a circular economy by partnering with customers, communities, governments and influencers to keep materials in use, design out waste and regenerate natural systems. It will continue to focus on CO₂ reduction, protecting biodiversity and reducing water consumption.

Miles Roberts, Group CEO of DS Smith commented: “As we respond to the changing world in which we live and operate, it is critical that our drive to redefine packaging continues to place circularity at the heart of our business. Our new strategy allows us to move beyond just having a strong circular business model ourselves to delivering more circular solutions for our customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions.”

The strategy sets out four key pillars, alongside a continued commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% against a 2015 baseline and care for its forests and biodiversity wherever it operates. The key areas of the strategy will drive sustainable growth at DS Smith through its ambitious targets:

• Closing the loop through better design – By 2023, it will manufacture 100% reusable or recyclable packaging and its aim is that by 2030 all of its packaging will be recycled or reused
• Protecting natural resources by making the most of every fibre – By 2025, it will optimise fibre use for individual supply chains in 100% of its new packaging solutions and by 2030 it aims to optimise every fibre for every supply chain
• Reducing waste and pollution through circular solutions – By 2025, it will take 1 billion pieces of problem plastics off supermarket shelves, take 250,000 lorries off the road and work with partners to find solutions for ‘hard to recycle’ packaging. Meanwhile, by 2030 it aims to use packaging and recycling to enable the circular economy by replacing problem plastics, reducing customer carbon and eliminating consumer packaging waste
• Equipping people to lead the transition to a circular economy – By 2025 it will engage 100% of its people on the circular economy and by 2030 it will engage 5 million people on the circular economy and circular lifestyles.

Wouter van Tol, Head of Sustainability, Community and Government Affairs commented: “Now and Next positions DS Smith at the forefront of the packaging industry and sets a clear roadmap to address immediate challenges, while also working to meet the needs of the next generation by creating solutions that are aligned with the principles of the circular economy. By taking a whole systems approach, we have a huge opportunity to make significant progress against our environmental, social and governance responsibilities.”

Following measurable progress against its nine long-term sustainability goals, the Now and Next Sustainability Strategy has been introduced as part of a strategic review and vision to be the leading supplier of sustainable packaging. In the past year, DS Smith hit a number of sustainability milestones including an 11% reduction in emissions in 2019 compared to 2015 on a like-for-like basis and 100% engagement in community programmes across its site employing more than 50 people.

An international packaging company, it produced over 17 billion boxes in 2019/20 and is Europe’s largest cardboard and paper recycler, managing 6 million tonnes per year, making it a net positive recycler. DS Smith is one of only 16 Strategic Partners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – the recognised global authority on the circular economy.

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of corrugated worldwide, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith focuses on creating innovative sustainable packaging solutions in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people. Using the combined expertise of its divisions – including Packaging, Recycling, Paper – DS Smith works with customers to deliver solutions that reduce complexity and deliver results throughout the supply chain. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.

Energy management partnership to drive sustainability goals at packaging provider

DS Smith, the FTSE 100 leading provider of sustainable packaging, has just announced a new partnership with World Kinect Energy Services to manage energy consumption for its Recycling, Paper and Packaging sites across 26 European countries.

World Kinect Energy Services will support the DS Smith’s long-term goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, in line with the reaffirmation of that target in the company’s newly launched Now and Next Sustainability Strategy. With a large focus on the company’s 14 European paper mills, the partnership will provide DS Smith with tactical solutions to energy purchasing and usage, increasing efficiencies and reducing waste in production.

Adding value to DS Smith’s existing energy portfolio, World Kinect Energy Services will support the company to mitigate risks and maximise its energy data through price risk management services including market intelligence, regulatory reporting, and cost and consumption reporting. The partnership will continue to ensure a competitive strategy for total energy costs across all its European markets. 

Terry Cogan, vice president, World Kinect Energy ServicesGerald Maunz, Procurement Director for Energy at DS Smith commented: “

“As a global business with sustainability as the foundation of our overall business strategy, being able to manage energy consumption efficiently across all our sites is fundamental. We were impressed with the professionalism, price risk management skills and reporting capabilities that the energy experts and portfolio management team at World Kinect Energy Services demonstrated.”

Gerald Maunz, Procurement Director for Energy at DS Smith Terry Cogan, Vice President at World Kinect Energy Services added: “All our customers have differing requirements, whether it’s specific financial or reporting processes, or sustainability and carbon reduction targets and it is our priority to ensure those needs are met. We are looking forward to working with the team at DS Smith over the next three years to help them maximise their energy data and exploit it to manage and minimize risks in what is a complex and volatile market.”

In the past year, DS Smith has hit a number of sustainability milestones including an 11% reduction in emissions in 2019 compared to 2015 on a like-for-like basis. The partnership with World Kinect Energy Services will drive this momentum, ensuring significant progress is made against key sustainability targets.

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of corrugated packaging, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith focuses on creating innovative sustainable packaging solutions in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people. Using the combined expertise of its divisions – Packaging, Recycling and Paper – DS Smith works with customers to deliver solutions that reduce complexity and deliver results throughout the supply chain. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.

About World Kinect Energy Services

World Kinect Energy Services is a trusted global leader in energy management, fuel supply, and sustainability. It helps clients buy better and buy smarter energy through the delivery of trusted energy advice and solutions, sustainability services and data management. 

Its four core solutions include:

• Energy Management
• Sustainability
• Brokerage
• Supply & Trade

With more than 5,000 industry experts and dedicated account managers based in North America, Europe, and Asia, it manages over 200 TWh of power and gas.

Find out more about our services here www.world-kinect.com

Collaboration creates closed loop recycling system for up to 3 million boxes annually

DS Smith, the leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, and Laithwaite’s Wine, the UK’s largest online wine merchant, have joined forces to certify a closed loop recycling system across the two companies’ supply chains.

Using cardboard wine cases made from 100% recycled material, Laithwaite’s has been delivering wine in the UK for over 10 years. Now, working in partnership with DS Smith, it is able to deliver a closed loop recycling system that ensures greater visibility across the supply chain, allowing it to track cases from production, through to delivery, collection, recycling and finally as the material is turned back into new cases.

At its distribution centre in Gloucester, Laithwaite’s handles imports of wine from across the world. Once unpacked, cases are transported to the DS Smith Paper Mill in Kemsley, Kent, to be recycled into new packaging material before being sent to DS Smith Packaging in Launceston to produce new cases. The cases will be used by Laithwaite’s for e-commerce distribution to its customers across the UK. This is all part of the 14 day ‘box to box’ packaging recycling process that underpins DS Smith’s sustainable business model.

Andrew Hawker, Head of Logistics at Laithwaite’s Wine commented: ”We are delighted that through our partnership with DS Smith we are able to keep our cardboard for recycling right here in the UK. Via the closed-loop model, we can give a new lease of life to our recycling which will be used in the packaging we send to our customers.
Balancing the sustainability and protection needs of packaging can be a challenge, especially in the e-commerce sector where the unboxing experience is a vital component of engaging and establishing a connection with our customers.”

As consumers demand to know where the products they buy have come from, it has become increasingly crucial for brands to demonstrate sustainable business operations. Closed loop systems will be a vital response to this trend, particularly as recent research showed that UK adults admit to throwing 30% of their recyclable material into general waste and a further 83% were not clear which types of packaging can and can’t be recycled*.

Tom Campbell-White, European Strategic Development Director at DS Smith commented:  “Laithwaite’s was one of our first customers to be awarded our Closed-Loop Certification. Championing the circular economy is vital for companies everywhere as they drive to meet the changing expectations and demands of increasingly environmentally conscious consumers. Providing Laithwaite’s with a fully auditable recycling and recovery route means they can certify and track its sustainability targets. At DS Smith, we are proud of our closed loop business model and the fact we are a net positive recycler, meaning we are responsible for recycling more packaging than we put on the market.”

The two companies also partnered on increasing the performance of the cardboard boxes and eliminating plastic usage with an innovative design project using DISCS™ technology. The technology provided Laithwaite’s with boxes made using the optimal amount of paper for the best level of protection to keep its glass wine bottles protected during delivery.

References:

*ONE POLL / RESEARCH based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults between 22/2/2020 and 2/3/2020

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of corrugated packaging worldwide, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith focuses on creating innovative sustainable packaging solutions in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people. Using the combined expertise of its divisions – including Packaging, Recycling, Paper – DS Smith works with customers to deliver solutions that reduce complexity and deliver results throughout the supply chain. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.