Unravelling the Supply Cycle

At DS Smith we have a unified approach to optimising our closed-loop business model and using our expertise to create sustainable simplicity in otherwise complicated supply chains. We call it Supply Cycle Thinking.

Article 3 of 8, Sustainability Review series:

By using expertise from design to production and supply to recycling, DS Smith offers sustainable packaging solutions that look at customers complete packaging needs. Through better quality recycling and paper production requirements for quality and performance are met, using no more material than necessary.

Employees from different areas of the business share how they bring Supply Cycle Thinking to life.   

Inspiring customers

We begin with the customer. Across Europe PackRight and Impact Centres are demonstrating the importance of materials and designs.  Revolutionary technology such as Made2fit and DISCS™ enable customers to tackle new challenges in one of the most changeable supply chains of all, e-commerce.

“Finding the balance between protecting packaging and limiting the amount of materials used is a constant source of concern for retailers.” said Isabel Rocher, Head of e-commerce solutions “Likewise, shoppers do not want to receive broken goods or have to deal with excess packaging”

Ensuring high quality supply

As Europe’s leading cardboard and paper recycler, managing over 5.2 million tonnes of fibre every year, Recycling Division’s role is to source high quality fibres to supply DS Smith paper mills.  

Rigorous paper quality and consistency tests through PACE are vital to ensure the manufacture of reliable paper and packaging. This relies heavily on sourcing the right quality recyclate at the right price.

“The better the decontamination process works, the cleaner the paper that is submitted to the mill,” explains Todor Kostadinov, Machine Operator from Trakia Mill, Bulgaria. “Recycling is the future of our planet and I feel proud to contribute.”

Quality expectations are always increasing. Strict requirements for exports to China featured in our Rehearsing The Future speculation scenarios for 2025, and are already being experienced by the industry. 

Packaging production

Finally, the Packaging Division creates corrugated boxes that are slick and attractive, retail-ready, quick to unpack and easy to recycle – returning to the beginning of the supply cycle. 

“We transfer paper reels through the corrugator and converting machines” says Mika Nieminen an Operator from Tampere Box Plant, Finland. “I do my best to make sure products are high quality and to work sustainably by wasting as little as possible and using water-soluble inks. It’s great to be a part of the supply cycle!”

Looking to the future

DS Smith’s circular business model and industry leading innovations will ensure continued sustainable growth of the business. Fibres cycle through operations time and time again to create valuable products, with minimal waste and a domino effect of efficiencies in customers supply chains.

To delve deeper into our business model, please watch our film Box-to-box in 14 days.

This is the third article in an eight part series where we seek to explore the issues, and talk to our people who have been involved in managing the topics highlighted in our Sustainability Review 2017. To read more about the measures various sites have taken to improve our supply cycle and how we comply with EU Circular Economy targets, please see our Sustainability Review 2017.