DS Smith has created a fully recyclable fibre-based packaging solution for Austria’s Privatbrauerei Hirt. The packaging is designed to support the brewer’s new online shop and help expand its e-commerce operations.
The design protects 0.5-litre and 0.75-litre glass bottles during storage and transport. It features shock-absorbing edges, internal tabs, and secure cap and base elements, and it uses no plastic.
The packaging fits bottles of various shapes and sizes. DS Smith evaluated its sustainability using circular design metrics, considering factors like carbon footprint, material use, reuse potential, supply-chain efficiency, and recyclability.
Privatbrauerei Hirt, with a brewing history of more than 755 years, makes a broad range of beverages, from beers and lemonades to vinegars, spirits, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The packaging is intended to integrate seamlessly with Hirt’s growing e-commerce channels, enabling safer transport and enhancing the unboxing experience for consumers.
Dieter Glawischnig, DS Smith Austria packaging managing director, added: “Our mission was to develop a smart, sustainable packaging that meets the high standards expected of premium beverages and uses less materials, while providing a comprehensive and robust product protection in terms of casing. “This is a crucial factor and key consideration for many of our customers in today’s booming e-commerce landscape.”
DS Smith, acquired by International Paper in January 2025, operates in 34 countries and focuses on fibre-based packaging through its “Now and Next” sustainability strategy. In early November 2025, the company partnered with Dutch firm Fantasy Forts to create sustainable packaging and structural designs for DIY construction play kits, highlighting its broader commitment to environmentally friendly solutions across industries.
The packaging for Privatbrauerei Hirt is now in use, giving the brewer’s premium products efficient, fully recyclable protection for storage and shipping as its e-commerce operations grow.
