Corrugated board packaging manufacturer DS Smith has enhanced its sustainability with the adoption of a biobased adhesive from Kiilto.
The company has switched from using a fossil-based solution to the biobased Kiilto Pro Pack Eco adhesive.
The transition represents a strategic step for both Smith and Kiilto in building up their respective commitments to environmental stewardship.
The adhesives supplied to Smith are produced using the mass balance method, thereby enabling production without the need for building new facilities.
This method also makes adhesives chemically and physically equivalent to their fossil-based counterparts while containing a significantly higher amount of biobased materials.
Kiilto regional manager Topias Heinisuo said: “We developed the Kiilto Pro Pack Eco adhesive with the needs of the paper and packaging industry in mind. The adhesive matches the properties of comparable, non-biobased products, and it does not require any changes to the customer’s production process.
“With this product, the customer can easily switch to a more environmentally sustainable option without compromising quality or process efficiency.”
Besides wood fibre, Smith is planning to manufacture corrugated boards using materials such as seaweed, straw, and daisies.
Smith operations excellence manager Katja Viitala said: “To lead the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, we need to be able to think outside the box. This applies to both the latest innovations and smaller areas of development. Little by little, a little becomes a lot.”
Recently, the company installed new steam recycling technology at its corrugated packaging facility in Columbia, South Carolina, US.
