DS Smith Tecnicarton develops corrugated alternative to metal chassis packaging for automotive sector. DS Smith Tecnicarton has developed a 100 per cent corrugated cardboard packaging system for transporting automotive chassis, designed as a mono-material alternative to the returnable metal containers typically used by vehicle manufacturers and tier suppliers.
The system, developed for automotive tier suppliers in Iberia, comprises a recyclable box pallet folding system with corrugated positioners to secure heavy chassis parts during production, assembly and transport. DS Smith says it is intended as a contingency option when supply chain disruptions prevent returnable metal containers from circulating back to suppliers on time, allowing operational continuity until normal flows resume.
The packaging won a Liderpack Award in 2023 and a WorldStar Global Packaging Award in the transit category in 2024, for its work with Gestamp Metalbages, part of the Gestamp automotive group.
Packaging firm Pact Group has invested in Plan B Circular, the UK textile-to-textile polyester recycler behind Project Re:claim, its joint venture with the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). The deal aims to scale polyester recycling ahead of EU legislation expected in 2028.
Sixteen international partners led by Danish Technological Institute have launched InFACT, a project to turn household flexible plastic waste such as crisp packets, coffee bags and meat films into new packaging, including food packaging. Less than 15 per cent of this material is currently recycled.