DS Smith launches plastic-free fuser packaging for e-commerce - Crepe paper instead of film

Online shopping is and remains a mega trend. As a survey published at the beginning of 2021 by the German E-Commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association (bevh) shows. (bevh) shows, e-commerce is not only popular with younger generations, but has also become part of everyday life for the over-60s, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Around a third of all online shoppers belonged to this affluent age group in 2020. And even after the pandemic, a large proportion of the population does not want to give up the convenience of online shopping. According to bevh data, almost three out of four consumers plan to order online to the same or a greater extent in the future.

With the uninterrupted growth of online retailing, the need for material-optimized, recyclable shipping packaging is also increasing. Only with a functioning recycling economy will it be possible to handle the increasing volume of packaging in a more environmentally friendly and resource-saving way in the future. Fusing packaging already dispenses with additional filling materials and is used in many industries for shipping individual products. Inside the packaging, the goods are securely fixed for transport with the aid of a highly stretchable PE film. In this way, products of different sizes and shapes can be shipped within a certain range using just one packaging format. The material-saving fixation packaging thus offers the retailer great flexibility and cost efficiency. They can reduce the variety of packaging sizes to be stocked and simplify logistics processes. In addition, the fixation packaging is also suitable for return shipping.

DS Smith goes one step further with its novel, innovative fixer packaging, which was developed in accordance with the company's closed-loop design principles. The packaging experts have replaced PE film with an easily recyclable fiber-based crepe paper in their more sustainable alternative solution. This can be applied to the corrugated board just as easily by machine as film. Thanks to its structure, the crepe paper is extremely stretchable and resistant, making it perfect for protecting sensitive goods. The innovation can be used for both one-piece and two-piece fusible packaging. Their decisive advantage: as fiber-based mono-material solutions made of 100% corrugated board, natural brown crepe paper and 0% plastic, they can be completely fed into the paper recycling loop.

For brand manufacturers and their retail partners, the crepe-fixed packaging offers better recyclability with the same high level of product protection. This benefits not only the environment, but also the post-purchase phase. After all, for more and more consumers, more ecologically compatible shipping packaging is a must, as shown by a study conducted by DS Smith and the market research company Ipsos in 12 European countries in the fall of 2020. If e-commerce packaging leaves something to be desired in terms of sustainability, this is a reason for 22% of respondents to stop ordering from the retailer. This means that those who rely on more environmentally friendly solutions such as DS Smith's crepe-fixed packaging can score additional points.

A well-known smartphone manufacturer is already using the innovative fixation packaging in customer service to send repaired devices and replacement goods to its customers safely, in a more environmentally friendly manner and with reduced logistics costs.