DS Smith unveils recyclable cardboard inserts for Somfy’s roller shutter motors
Key takeaways
- DS Smith equips Somfy with Kraft corrugated inserts to protect its roller shutter motors.
- The inserts replace expanded PS, reduce storage volume, and support circular packaging goals.
- The modular design fits multiple engine lengths and box sizes, enabling quick assembly.
DS Smith, an International Paper company, has equipped Somfy, a home and building equipment manufacturer, with a recyclable corrugated cardboard insert to protect roller shutter motors during transportation.
The protective packaging features inserts made from Kraft electrical-grade corrugated board, offering robustness and durability. The system accommodates thirty-four different types of engine lengths and can be adapted to four box sizes. A quick assembly process aids industrial product rates.
A roller shutter motor powers the automatic opening and closing of external shutters.
The project was led by the DS Smith design teams in Kunheim, France, in collaboration with Somfy.
Benjamin Chedal, sales, marketing, and innovation director at DS Smith Packaging France, says: “This innovation fully illustrates DS Smith’s ambition to support its customers in developing increasingly sustainable packaging solutions.”
“We are proud of the rollout of this concept, which has been adapted to numerous Somfy product formats, demonstrating its modularity, relevance, and long-term viability, in terms of innovation and the materials used.”
DS Smith explains that the project relied on in-depth discussion of design specifications and real-world usage tests. The project created several successive concepts, which were tested, adjusted, and optimized throughout the project.
Replacing PS
The solution also replaces polystyrene (PS) inserts, aligning with Somfy’s goal to transition to circular industrial packaging.
The compact cardboard inserts are smaller than conventional expanded PS inserts, says DS Smith, resulting in a reduction in storage volume.
Tony Faure, head of the project at Somfy, says: “The eco-design of our products and the sustainability of our practices are at the heart of the Somfy Group’s decarbonization strategy.”
“We are delighted to have collaborated with DS Smith on the deployment of this cardboard packaging solution: it marks an important step that facilitates handling and recycling for our professional customers, is made from renewable material, and does not compromise on the quality and protection requirements of our products.”
Recently, DS Smith and Absolut Vodka introduced a range of recyclable fiber-based corrugated brown boxes for product protection.
