DS Smith, a packaging and paper solutions provider, has been recognized with the Investments award in the 2024 Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards for its contributions to sustainable packaging.
The Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the packaging industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry.
DS Smith won the award for its strategic investments and innovative approaches in developing eco-friendly packaging solutions across Europe. By enhancing production capabilities and adopting cutting-edge technologies, the company has significantly advanced its efforts to replace plastic with sustainable alternatives and reduce carbon emissions, aligning with its Now & Next sustainability strategy.
Strategic investments in sustainable packaging
DS Smith’s commitment to sustainable packaging is evident through its substantial investments across various European facilities. In Poland, the company has invested over €25 million to enhance its production capabilities, focusing on sustainable and fiber-based packaging solutions. This includes the installation of advanced machinery, such as the die-cutter Bobst Masterline 2.1, which enhances production precision and efficiency. These investments are expected to increase DS Smith’s annual packaging production capacity in Poland by approximately 25 million square meters, supporting the company’s goal of eliminating plastic and reducing CO2 emissions. Additionally, these efforts align with DS Smith’s Now & Next sustainability strategy, which aims to replace more than one billion pieces of plastic by 2025. The investment also includes the creation of a new production line for the DS Smith Easy Bowl solution for fresh food and machinery upgrades for producing sustainable paper bags for the eCommerce sector, further diversifying their sustainable product offerings.
Similarly, in Greece, DS Smith has allocated €17.6 million to its Korinthos facility, part of a broader €33.9 million investment plan. The initiative aims to boost production capacity by 30% while advancing sustainable packaging innovation. The investments in Greece are designed to replace plastic with sustainable alternatives, reinforcing DS Smith’s leadership in the East European market. The focus on energy efficiency and production capacity enhancement underscores DS Smith’s strategy to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions while supporting customer sustainability goals.
Innovative solutions for a circular economy
DS Smith’s investments are not limited to enhancing production capacity; they also focus on developing innovative packaging solutions that align with the principles of a circular economy. In Portugal, the company has invested over €50 million to upgrade its packaging facilities, introducing cutting-edge technology and renewable energy solutions. This includes the installation of solar panels and the development of sustainable fiber-based alternatives to plastic bubble wrap. These initiatives are projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 34% annually, demonstrating DS Smith’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The acquisition of top-of-the-range fluting machines and the upgrading of corrugator units further optimize the production process, ensuring that DS Smith can deliver high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions to its customers in the Iberian region.
In France, DS Smith’s €6 million investment in the La Chevrolière facility has led to the production of fully recyclable, ultra-lightweight Kaypal cardboard pallets. These pallets offer significant environmental benefits, including reduced carbon emissions during transportation, and are ideal for various applications, such as air transportation and retail logistics. The investment also includes the expansion of the production space by 4,000 square meters, allowing for increased output and the ability to meet growing customer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
Driving sustainability through technological advancements
DS Smith’s dedication to sustainability is further exemplified by its adoption of advanced technologies. In Spain, the installation of the Nozomi 14000 AQ single-pass water-based printer at the Torrelavit facility represents a significant leap in digital printing capabilities. This state-of-the-art technology allows for high-resolution printing with reduced lead times and waste, supporting DS Smith’s goal of redefining packaging for a changing world. The printer’s ability to produce multiple design versions in a single run without compromising quality highlights DS Smith’s focus on efficiency and customization in sustainable packaging.
In Romania, a €13 million investment in the Ghimbav production site is set to enhance production capacity by over 20% while reducing carbon emissions by 210 tonnes of CO2 per year. The introduction of advanced waste management technologies and energy-efficient systems aligns with DS Smith’s Now & Next Sustainability Strategy, which aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. The investment includes cutting-edge machinery capable of 7-color HD Flexo printing and precision die-cutting, further strengthening DS Smith’s portfolio in the Romanian market. These technological advancements not only improve production efficiency, but also support DS Smith’s customers in achieving their environmental targets and optimizing costs.
Company Profile
DS Smith Plc (DS Smith) is a provider of paper and packaging solutions. Its product portfolio includes retail and shelf-ready packaging, transit cases, consumer boxes, corrugated packs, point of sale displays and heavy-duty industrial products. It also offers consultancy services on creative design and supply chain audit. The company manufactures recycled papers including corrugated case materials (CCM) and specialty papers for the packaging industry. It carries out cardboard and paper recycling activities such as paper recycling, cardboard recycling, confidential shredding, mixed dry recycling and plastics recycling activities. The company has operations in Europe, Asia, and North America. DS Smith is headquartered in London, Greater London, the UK.
Contact Details
7th Fl, Regents Place, 350 Euston Road,
London, NW13AX
Ph No – 44 20 77561800
Links
Website: www.dssmith.com
