DS Smith, an International Paper company has partnered with the Serele SupeR agricultural cooperative in Romania, to replace ten million plastic packages with circular, recyclable, fibre-based and FSC® certified corrugated cardboard solutions.
The DS Smith design team assessed a variety of Serele SupeR single-use packages that were previously used to hold the producer’s fresh tomato products and have instead created a selection of four sustainable, fibre-based, corrugated cardboard punnets. The new punnets are faster and easier to pack on the production line and they are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan.
The DS Smith punnets also feature an angled corner design to hold specific cherry tomato varieties with different dimension requirements. The shape of the punnets is intended to ensure that any volume of empty space is reduced, while simultaneously supporting packaging and production processes within a hybrid environment. In addition, the innovative tomato punnets are wrapped in a recyclable and flexible film to enhance their appeal on-shelf and stand-out for consumers in-store.
“Our partnership with Serele SupeR demonstrates how we can add value through circular design and innovation in packaging,” said Christian Schmidt, Managing Director DS Smith Packaging, România. “We have managed to significantly reduce plastic use, lower emissions, and support Serele SupeR in their sustainability targets. The new designs demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of sustainable packaging to the wider horticultural sector in Romania, and so perhaps other fresh produce producers will start to see this approach as the new norm.”
“For us, the transition to sustainable packaging is not just an operational change, but a strategic and responsible decision,” said Silvia Răileanu, Founder, Serele SupeR. “We wanted to find a solution that would meet the needs of our consumers and partners, but also really reduce our environmental impact. The collaboration with DS Smith offers us more than just innovative packaging – it gives us a direction for sustainable growth. This transformation strengthens our relationship with retailers and the consumers who choose our products, who are increasingly mindful of their environmental impact.”
