DS Smith (CONT’D FROM PAGE 37) gistics, thereby boosting its competitive position in North- ern Europe. In a related development, DS Smith plans to upgrade a separate packaging facility in Bredasten, Sweden. This project involves an expansion of the building’s footprint and the relocation of warehouse services from Malmo to Bredasten. The transition is scheduled to occur in phases, with completion expected by June 2027. Engaging Partners The goal is to strengthen internal processes and op- erations while enhancing customer service and product innovation. Separately, DS Smith has engaged in a partnership with Apilab to monitor environmental impacts at its French pack- aging sites. The method involves releasing bees to forage within a specific radius and analyzing collected samples to assess local ecosystem health, supporting the company’s environmental, social, and governance reporting.\
INNOVATION New Report Showcases Imaginative Packaging
The first-ever London Packaging Week Innovation Awards Finalist Report is now available, offering a look at the UK’s most imaginative, bold, and sus- tainable packaging from the most recent group of winners. The Innovation Awards celebrate the nation’s most creative packaging minds, recognizing the fusion of artistry, technical skill, and brand story- telling. In 2025, the awards evaluated more than 120 entries, with 80 finalists shortlisted across 13 categories, highlighting designs that push the boundaries of what packaging can be. The report uncovers the trends shaping the fu- ture of packaging. Sustainability is evolving from restraint to mastery, with finalists like Diageo’s Johnnie Walker Black Label paper bottle and Flo- ra’s wet-moulded fibre tubs proving that circular materials can rival traditional plastics in strength, functionality, and shelf appeal. Luxury cues such as tactility, precision, and refined finishes are migrating from high-end boutiques to everyday categories, evidenced by Spudos Crisps’ playful eco-design and The Jolly Hog’s craft-led bacon packaging. Packaging is also emerging as a narrative medium: Hendrick’s Gin’s Whimsical Watering Can, Bowmore’s art- ist-collaborative whisky packs, and Manchester United’s collector boxes transform containers into immersive storytelling experiences, combining rit- ual, heritage, and cultural resonance. Functionality has become a driver of desirabil- ity. Smart, well-engineered packs like Charlotte Tilbury’s refillable vanity case, Lola’s Cupcakes easy-carry boxes, and Inside Story’s interactive wine labels demonstrate that packaging can work harder, delight consumers, and deliver multiple forms of value beyond protection or shelf pres- ence. Seasonal and experiential packaging is redefining gifting, from Harrods’ 25-day luxury advent calendar to Lindt’s 5ft-tall chocolate count- down, creating moments of theatre, anticipation, and emotional connection that endure well be- yond the unboxing. Cross-sector collaboration is unlocking new levels of creativity. Glenmorangie x Azuma Ma- koto fuses whisky with Japanese floral sculpture, Macallan x Bill Amberg Studio merges distilling heritage with leather craftsmanship, and Hen- nessy X.O’s Spirit of Travel celebrates global de- sign dialogue.
Flint Group Earns RecyClass Approval For NC-Free Inks
Flint Group, a supplier of inks and coatings for the glob- al packaging sector, has achieved RecyClass Technology Approval for its nitrocellulose-free surface print (NC-free) VertixCode Star SC WB1U, MatrixCode Star SC WBU5, and MatrixCode Print WBU8 ink technologies. Developed for flexographic and gravure printing on flexible packaging substrates, VertixCode Star SC, Matrix- Code Star SC and MatrixCode Print are NC-free inks that are said to deliver enhanced chemical stability at the high temperatures typically encountered during mechanical re- cycling. Driving Initiative To identify more circular solutions, the RecyClass PO Films Technical Committee commissioned a test cam- paign in line with the Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE films. The testing procedures confirm that packaging printed with VertixCode Star SC, MatrixCode Star SC, and MatrixCode Print are fully compatible with established Eu- ropean recycling streams for colored, flexible PE. This Ap- proval provides converters and brand owners with inde- pendent assurance of their packaging’s recyclability, with no negative impact on the quality of the resulting pellets or films. An initiative driven by the European plastics value chain, RecyClass bases its Technology Approvals on comprehen- sive testing carried out by recognised laboratories. Each as- sessment examines the full recyclability of printed materials through extrusion and quality evaluations, including testing for odor, discoloration, and the mechanical performance of films manufactured from recycled materials.
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