DS Smith, a leading sustainable packaging company, has contributed to a reduction in CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere equivalent to 1,831 air travels between Madrid and Lisbon in the last year through the implementation of the DS Smith Light Wrap packaging solution for bundling bricks.

This solution was produced as a classic bricks bundler – also known in the industry as a wraparound – and includes design innovations that allow for improved packaging performance with less fibre, resulting in a 19% reduction in CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere compared to traditional solutions.

The DS Smith Light Wrap design was created to ensure that the packaging around the bricks would function properly to support the weight of the packs stacked on top of each other – both in transport and at the point of sale – without damage or deformation. To develop this solution, DS Smith’s design team was inspired by the compression and restraint work of a car to protect its components, as well as the vehicle’s occupants.

The DS Smith Light Wrap is characterised by a design with a double slit at its base. The first, deeper crease operates as the box is formed on the customer’s forming machine. This is followed by a second, shallower crease, which acts against compression when the box is stacked on a pallet. This design also allows the use of 19% less paper fibre than other solutions, thus reducing the environmental impact and costs of packaging without compromising product protection.

Luis Serrano, Sales, Marketing & Innovation Director at DS Smith Iberia, said: “Brands are adapting the caps on their cartons, as under the European Union’s Waste and Contaminated Land Act – from July 2024 – they will no longer be able to incorporate a separate cap. Now is the best time for companies to redefine their carton packaging and start using DS Smith Light Wrap and benefit from all its advantages. As a leader in the packaging industry, DS Smith knows that innovation and design are fundamental to creating sustainable and efficient solutions that meet the needs of our customers and society, in line with our aim to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World.