DS Smith Explores Use Of Seaweed As Raw Material For Packaging UK and US based DS Smith is exploring how seaweed fi- bers can be used as a raw material in paper and pack- aging products amid increasing demand for sustainable goods from customers and consumers alike. In an industry first, the move could see DS Smith use seaweed across its packaging network as an alternative fiber source to wood. Following initial testing, the compa- ny is also exploring the potential of seaweed to play a sig- nificant role in the purge on plastics by acting as a barrier coating to replace petroleum-based packaging used to protect many foodstuffs. DS Smith is talking to a number of biotechnology com- panies to explore the use of seaweed fibers in a range of packaging products such as cartons, paper wraps and cardboard trays. “As a leader in sustainability, our research into alter- native raw material and fibre sources has the potential to be a real game changer for our customers and consum- ers who increasingly want products that are easy to recy- cle and have a minimal impact on the environment,” said Thomas Ferge, Paper and Board Development Director at DS Smith. “Seaweed is one of the many alternative natural materials we’re closely looking at, and while most people probably associate it with the beach or as an ingredient in sushi, it could have some exciting applications for us to help create the next generation of sustainable paper and packaging solutions.” Given its wide range of uses, seaweed in manufactur- ing is a burgeoning market. The European seaweed in- dustry alone is predicted to be worth almost £8 billion by 2030, generating some 115,000 jobs. The seaweed project is part of DS Smith’s £100m Cir- cular Economy R&D program announced earlier this year. It’s work on natural fibres also includes other innovative natural materials such as straw, hemp, miscanthus and cotton, as well as from more unusual sources such as the daisy-flowered cup plant and agricultural waste like cocoa shells or bagasse - the pulp fibre left over after sugarcane is processed. The Circular Economy is at the heart of DS Smith’s Now and Next strategy, focusing on closing the loop through better design, protecting natural resources by making the most of every fiber, reducing waste and pollution through circular solutions and equipping people to lead the transi- tion to a Circular Economy. By 2023, DS Smith will manu- facture 100 percent reusable or recyclable packaging and its aim is that by 2030, all of its packaging will be recycled or reused. DS Smith’s vision is to be “the leading supplier of sus- tainable packaging solutions.” Founded in London in the 1940s, it now has a presence in more than 30 countries
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
SAUER SYSTEM www.sauersystem.com
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Interactive website for Stafford Corrugated Products and Stafford Cutting Dies. Featuring online ordering of replace- ment parts. Also, visitors can automatically calculate sheet size for most die-cut standards.
SUN AUTOMATION GROUP ® www.sunautomation.com
SUN Automation Group® is the global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry. SUN engi- neers and builds the SUN625 Rotary Die Cutter, provides sales, service and support in North and Central America for Latitude Machinery Corporation, manufacturer of Mini to Jumbo FFG and RDCs. Additionally, SUN is the North Amer- ican, United Kingdom and Ireland sales and service provid- er for Para Machinery’s line of equipment, which includes prefeeders, stackers, palletizers, and other material han- dling equipment, and is the North American sales provider for Highcon, the leader in digital laser die cutting. SUN also powers the corrugated industry’s premier IIoT platform, He- lios, and is the OEM source for Langston/Staley equipment parts and service. SUN is headquartered near Baltimore, MD, and has service centers throughout the globe. THACKER INDUSTRIAL SERVICE COMPANY www.thackerindustrial.com Specializing in corrugated machinery, TISCO offers quali- ty-made products, support services, and more. TISCO has established a reputation of dependability, not only in the product, but in continued service support. With more than 25 years of experience, TISCO installs equipment and ma- chinery, moves or sets up entire plants, rewires and rebuilds - all over the world. TISCO maintains a full fleet of trucks and equipment to perform to your requirements, anywhere, anytime. VT GROUP www.vtgrouponl ine.com VT offers prepress services for the POP display and corru- gated shipping container industry including graphic design, optimized digitally imaged printing plates and innovative pre-mounting solutions. Our large-format digital printing fa- cility (Digital Impact) is a leading short-run manufacturer of distinctive POP displays and signage where litho-like graph- ics are preferred.
and employs more than 30,000 worldwide. Visit dssmith.com for more information.
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September 6, 2021
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