DS Smith wins two WorldStar awards

The role of packaging today goes far beyond the physical protection of products, playing a key role in creating a sustainable future. The WorldStar award is a recognition of innovative solutions that are able to respond to the expectations of global trends and challenges, such as reducing CO2 emissions and more efficient logistics. DS Smith is participating in this process as a global leader with its packaging solutions supporting a circular economy, which are also well exemplified by the two Hungarian developments that have just been awarded.

“Winning the WorldStar awards year after year confirms that DS Smith has long been at the forefront of international packaging innovation. We support our partners with up-to-date industry knowledge and deep market knowledge, and our design teams understand exactly what challenges manufacturers, companies and brands face today – be it sustainability expectations, logistical efficiency or automated production environments. We do not provide theoretical answers to these trends, but rather working, tested solutions that serve both environmental protection goals and business success”

– emphasized Levente Szabó, CEO of DS Smith Packaging Hungary Kft. Director.

The packaging design that won the award in the transport category was developed by DS Smith for the premium e-bike brand Cowboy, part of the Rebirth Group, a leading player in electromobility in France. The e-bike battery packaging in various sizes not only meets the strict requirements of road and air transport, but also provides significant environmental and economic benefits: it allows for 9.62 tonnes less CO₂ emissions per year, 2,691 kg less material consumption and the replacement of 10,000 pieces of plastic compared to the previous design.

“We have designed a compact, easy-to-assemble packaging that is 100% recyclable and significantly improves logistics efficiency. While previously 48 batteries could fit on a pallet, now up to 208 can fit, which means significant environmental and cost benefits”

– emphasized László Kerekes, packaging designer.

Schneider Electric, one of the world’s leading electronics solutions companies, is taking decisive steps towards the use of sustainable packaging. They are supported on a global level by DS Smith, in which the Hungarian team plays a prominent role. The universal packaging designed for the company’s large-volume electrical circuit breakers guarantees both product safety and sustainability goals. The winning design in the electronics category is paper-based, fully recyclable, fixes moving parts, can be handled from the side with a manipulator – fitting into an automated production line –, can be assembled in less than 1 minute, and meets the most stringent industrial validation requirements.

“With such a complex industrial product, the balance between protection, manageability and sustainability is the most difficult task. For me, the WorldStar award is recognition that this balance can be achieved with paper-based solutions, which is still often doubted today” 

– said Viktor Novák, the designer of the design.