DS Smith Zărnești Paper Mill and Malaxa Technological High School: Partners in Shaping Future Generations of Mechanics
• Starting with the 2024–2025 school year, the company supports a new Local Development Curriculum (LDC) titled Monitoring and Maintenance of Machines and Equipment in the Paper Industry.
• The program targets 11th-grade students in the Mechanics specialization and includes 64 hours of training.
• Through this initiative, DS Smith helps young graduates integrate more easily into the labour market or continue their studies in specialized universities.
Zarnesti Paper Mill continues to invest in education, expanding its partnership with Malaxa Technological High School. Starting with the 2024–2025 school year, 11th-grade students in the Mechanics specialization will benefit from a new Local Development Curriculum (LDC) titled Monitoring and Maintenance of Machines and Equipment in the Paper Industry.
The 64 hours of training, led by DS Smith engineers, aim to familiarize students with paper manufacturing technology. The training takes place both in the school's technological lab and at the company’s premises. This ensures that, upon graduation, students can either integrate more easily into the labour market or pursue further studies in specialized universities.
Through our collaboration with Malaxa Technological High School and the launch of this LDC, we aim to demonstrate that careers in manufacturing are not just an option but an inspired and valuable choice for them and their community.
Marius Juncanariu
General Manager of DS Smith Zărnești Paper Mill
This Local Development Curriculum complements DS Smith’s portfolio of education-focused projects in Zărnești and the Brașov region. These initiatives include sustainability and circular economy lessons for primary school students, collaborations with the Brașov County School Inspectorate, and other programs aimed at fostering local community development.
We continuously invest in educational initiatives so that young people can develop their skills and have a clear career path. By attracting them to a career in manufacturing, we’re building not just stronger teams but also more resilient communities.
Diana Ciuraru
Human Resources Manager at DS Smith Zărnești Paper Mill
Since 2018, DS Smith has operated Romania's largest paper mill in Zărnești, meeting nearly half of the country’s internal demand for paper. The raw material used is entirely sourced from recyclable paper—a key factor for Romania to achieve European recycling targets for paper and cardboard packaging.
The Group also manages a recycling operations hub in Bucharest, two recycling depots in Ștefănești and Cluj-Napoca, two packaging production units in Ghimbav and Timișoara, and three service centres in Pitești, Timișoara, and Buftea, Ilfov County, employing a total of 650 people.
