Fulfilling the potential of packaging

The alchemy of supply chain efficiency

A packaging perspective on the chemical industry by Magdalena Fabisiak-Kujawa, Chemicals - Central Accounts Director

Download Report Here

The alchemy of supply chain efficiency

A packaging perspective on the chemical industry by Magdalena Fabisiak-Kujawa, Chemicals - Central Accounts Director

Download Report Here

The chemicals industry is at a crossroads. The need to reduce logistics costs is a priority for every sector, but for chemicals businesses has become critical and is, in fact, this sector’s number one supply chain priority.

Optimised packaging can distil drastic savings in logistics and warehousing for businesses that want to drive down costs and increase efficiencies.

New global research from DS Smith explores the attitudes of supply chain and sustainability managers in four major sectors. 

You know that on the one hand, chemicals companies like yours face increasing pressure to reduce prices, but on the other hand, supply chains are increasing in complexity and cost.

More efficient warehouses

There is one way to make a difference and square this circle, by increasing the efficiency of supply chains. This gives firms the ability to allow more throughput over a reduced footprint by improving packaging.

Improved packaging means a smaller footprint in warehouses, more units per container, and cascading efficiencies across supply chains. By reducing the footprint in warehouses, chemicals companies can multiply benefits there. By increasing the number of units that can be transported means reducing the environmental and overall footprint. All this is possible while maintaining the security you need. It’s a neat trick – spend a little more on packaging for much greater savings overall.

Supply-cycle thinking

There is some alchemy to this process, and that means finding solutions tailored specifically for your business to achieve the maximum possible savings. This is supply-cycle thinking -and this is what we do. Packaging is often thought about in a linear way. 

But there is another approach, where packaging is an enabler. The packaging is integrated into supply chains so it makes an active difference and can be readily reused or recycled, bringing businesses into a circular economy mindset. Furthermore, by using our unique Circular Design Metrics (developed in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation), DS Smith can check the circularity of your items so that we have a clear picture of your sustainability performance, and how to improve it.