Corrugated cardboard spring corners from DS Smith sustainably reduce transport damage

In this way, even sensitive goods in the transport packaging are reliably protected against impacts, shocks and vibrations. The clever design minimises the risk of costly product damage. At the same time, the ecological solution made of 100 per cent corrugated board thus protects the environment and makes additional filling materials and plastic transport pads superfluous. Brands benefit from the quick and easy-to-erect protective corners, which meet the increasing desire of many consumers for volume-optimised, environmentally friendly and recyclable shipping materials.

According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), billions of euros worth of product damage occur in the global movement of goods every year. Long-term image damage and customer losses cause additional losses. According to the findings of transport insurers, almost 70 per cent of all damage could be avoided. Packaging concepts that are tailored to the respective supply cycle make a significant contribution to prevention.

Minimised risk during transport, storage and handling
If the goods are to reach the customer undamaged, the packaging must absorb all static and dynamic loads that can occur during transport, storage and handling. Frequent causes of damage are shocks, falls and impacts during reloading and unloading operations, especially during individual shipments in e-commerce. Vibrations, for example caused by poorly sprung vehicles or bad roads, can also affect sensitive products.

To counteract these dynamic forces, DS Smith has brought an innovative, sustainable solution to the market in the form of corrugated cardboard spring corners. They have been developed in accordance with the Circular Design Principles that DS Smith conceived together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and replace, among other things, packaging inserts made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) or foams 100%.

The corrugated cardboard protectors can be individually adapted to the dimensions and weight of the respective products as well as to the respective primary and secondary packaging. The easy handling guarantees efficient packaging processes. For this purpose, the spring corners only have to be erected manually or semi-automatically and attached to the edges of the product or the primary packaging. Then both are packed in the matching outer carton and ready. If you need it particularly quickly, DS Smith can deliver the spring corners in a pre-assembled state.

Whether for individual shipping in e-commerce or for shipping on pallets: the spring-loaded storage ensures that the products are transported safely. This has been proven in tests and in use by a wide range of customers. Even sensitive products such as aquariums can be shipped with this solution.

Good for the environment and brand image
With DS Smith's Sustainable Protector, manufacturers can not only minimise the risk of their products being damaged on the way to the customer, resulting in high costs, image damage and environmental pollution. Above all, they also meet the growing demand for more sustainable, recyclable packaging concepts. According to a recent study* conducted by DS Smith together with Ipsos Mori, 42% of European consumers try to buy products that are not packaged in plastic. More and more consumers want to consume more sustainably and demand packaging that avoids waste and conserves resources.

According to a 2019 study by the Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung (GVM), Germany, the mail order sector in particular offers above-average potential for replacing plastic with more environmentally friendly corrugated cardboard: In this way, 75% of the amount of plastic contained in mail-order packaging in Germany, Austria and Switzerland could be saved annually.

As a monomaterial solution, the corrugated board spring corners developed by DS Smith can make an important contribution to this. They are made of 100 per cent corrugated board and are therefore 100 per cent fibre based and recyclable. The innovative solution is in line with the goal DS Smith has set as part of its sustainability strategy "Now and Next" of producing 100% reusable or recyclable packaging by 2023.