DS Smith has announced the launch of its ‘R8’ centre, a facility that sets out to enable the company and its customers and partners to accelerate the research and development of “radically” new packaging fulfilment solutions and solve the industry’s biggest challenges.
The facility allows DS Smith, its customers, and partners to accelerate the research and development of new packaging concepts.
The R8 facility includes a 4,000m2 pilot hall, four laboratories, conditioning chambers, an ideation and design studio, prototyping areas, and collaboration spaces.
It is intended to spearhead research in manufacturing, maximising on the growing demand for sustainable packaging, and the innovation needed to deliver it.
Tye site is designed to allow it to cover the whole innovation spectrum – from early technology and material development, ideation, and concept development, testing and product development, through to prototyping and customer pilots.
Stefano Rossi, chief executive, packaging division, DS Smith, said: “Our customers are some of the world’s most iconic FMCG brands, online retailers, and industrial players, so innovation and sustainability are very high on their agenda.”
He said DS Smith will be partnering with customers to help them transition to the circular economy by focusing on ‘novel packaging solutions’ that deploy new materials and technologies.
“Nothing is off the table – we have designed the hub to encourage scrutiny of existing ways of working and explore all the possibilities, especially for service-based offerings in the packaging supply chain.”
The site features a modular Pilot Line, inspired by the automotive industry and developed in Italy, which uses robots to make boxes from multiple components, and fill them at high speed.
Rossie told Packaging News the new facility would compliment existing testing facilities but would also provide more space for innovation: “Locations like Milton Keynes [featuring the DISCS testing laboratory] support the innovation agenda but they are quite focussed on the performance of ’the now’ and led by present customer requirements. This facility brings into the picture the dimension of the future to a certain extent, and provides a collaborative space where we can not only create but also co-create.”
He added that he expected the site to facilitate designers, engineers and technologists to work together: “There is an ingredient of inspiration here.”
“We believe in sharing expertise to help customers reduce waste, streamline production, and increase sustainable productivity,” said Rossi. “At the heart of this is a solid commitment to reducing plastics, paving new pathways for alternative fibres, and designing out waste altogether.”