DS Smith Envisions Next Generation 'Self-Healing' Cardboard Box In the 150th year of the ubiquitous cardboard box, pack- aging experts at sustainability leader DS Smith have an- nounced a futuristic blueprint for how the box might evolve over the next half century. The company’s innovators say they can imagine organ- ic, programmable fibers with the ability to self-heal – like our skin – when damaged. Possible characteristics of the self-healing box include: • A webbed nerve system that borrows from the compo- sition of leaves: Sensors are printed onto the “skin” of the box and connect all fibers in the packaging so that it can ascertain damage and communicate externally. • Regenerative “scar tissue:” Healing itself just like the human body, the surface stretches and thickens to cov- er the injury. It then transmits data to the delivery com- pany and the recipient to tell them it is pausing to heal itself in route. • Reuse capability: After it has been opened, the pack- aging heals the opening of the pack so that it can be continually reused, extending its life. “We’ve seen all around us technologies making life easier and more efficient,” said Melanie Galloway, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Innovation at DS Smith. “Packaging that heals itself so it can be perpetually reused is, of course, a futuristic concept, but it’s rooted in our ef- forts to design out waste and support the reuse of materi- als. So, a broader circular economy in which materials stay in use for much longer, may be closer than we think.” Looking into its storied past as well as into its evolu- tionary future to mark the 150th year of the cardboard box, DS Smith has created a retrospective of corrugated card- board, charting how it has woven its way through society. The new digital archive celebrates past and pres- ent achievements in the race for innovative ideas, such as plastic replacement designs like Eco Carrier and par- cels that can withstand cold and wet conditions, such as Greencoat. Innovators at DS Smith also expect to see develop- ments in self-adjusting parcels and spray-on packaging. “I think we could eventually see intelligent packaging that actually self-adjusts its size to fit its contents, making the absolute most of materials and space,” Galloway said. “The reality is that innovation has made it possible to make boxes water and humidity resistant, protected against harmful bacteria, and trackable throughout their journey with printable nano technology. “While self-healing boxes are not here yet, we are look- ing into the future for the next set of innovations that will help us use materials as sustainably as possible. We will only achieve this with fresh thinking and creative ideas. We’re already looking at partnerships to accelerate the journey to a circular economy and would love to hear from experts who can come with us.”
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MAROTECH INC. www.marotech.com
Manufacturer of Marotape®, Marotape®Plus, Marotape® FPT and MaroString™; hot melt coated tapes and strings used for reinforcement and easy-open features for packaging. Ma- rotech also manufactures dispensing and tape placement equipments to optimize the productivity of applying hot melt coated tapes.
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October 24, 2022
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