DS Smith, an international paper company, and global provider of sustainable and fiber-based packaging, has partnered with Raymarine, a manufacturer of navigation systems and electronics for the commercial marine and recreational boating sector, to create an alternative solution to single-use plastic in the company’s radar product line packaging.
In the new packaging, DS Smith used fiber-based corrugated cardboard materials replacing expanded polyethylene (EPE foam) in Raymarine’s previous solution.
DS Smith said the modification can ensure the radar products are provided with a maximum protection against vibrations, unforeseeable physical impacts, and knocks, during their transit and transportation to local and international customers.
The DS Smith designers have also incorporated a perpendicular shaped corrugated cardboard flute with a 90-degree angle into the packaging structure to provide built-in strength and a reinforced capacity to withstand shocks. They have introduced crumple zone layers to deform and absorb energy in the event of any collision, and installed fiber-based air cushions to provide additional optimum support.
The overall structure of the DS Smith packaging contains precisely shaped corrugated cardboard inserts to ensure that Raymarine’s Quantum radar products are held securely in place during any eventuality. The corrugated cardboard inserts are manufactured using a dedicated folding technique and within the design is an additional integral box to package product accessories and components separately.
The new packaging is designed for easy customization and flexibility, and it can be made into a variety of different sizes. In addition, the change has successfully eliminated plastic, and significantly reduced CO2 emissions by over 60% a year in comparison to Raymarine’s previous packaging solutions, DS Smith reported.
Levente Szabó, cluster director, DS Smith, Hungary, said “We are dedicated to helping our customers in finding new solutions for sustainable and circular ready packaging. When assessing a new packaging design our process and development research consider the type of materials used, production, transportation, distribution, and supply chain optimization. This packaging for Raymarine is made from 84% recycled content versus 40% in previous packaging and it is 100% recyclable at end of life. We have successfully replaced EPE, and we can support manufacturers in both consumer and industrial sectors.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Smith, vice president, supply chain, Raymarine, said, “One of our objectives is to eliminate single-use plastics from our packaging, and thanks to our collaboration with DS Smith we are making positive progress towards that goal. The new packaging ensures that products from our radar range are well-protected during transit while also meeting the demands of diverse climatic conditions and long-haul international shipping. We’ve retained agility in our production process to accommodate varying order volumes, and we’re proud of the packaging’s visual impact, which is clearly branded, instantly recognizable, and aligned with our core values.”
