BSH Nazarje, part of the BSH Home Appliances Group in Slovenia, has teamed up with DS Smith to replace Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) inserts in its household blender packaging for a fiber-based, sustainable packaging insert alternative. The new solution, called DS Smith Universal Protection for Household Blenders, is fully recyclable and aims to make packaging both more efficient and protective.
The Slovenian company makes up to 170,000 blenders each year, with each unit previously packed using two EPS inserts. By introducing DS Smith’s corrugated cardboard as a sustainable packaging insert, BSH Nazarje expects to cut out around 340,000 EPS pieces. At the heart of the system is the ‘Safe Shell’ insert, which keeps three different hand mixer models secure while also speeding up production-line packing and giving more flexibility for customer orders.
DS Smith Universal Protection fits easily into current box and pallet packaging setups and is built to hold up during transport.
“Sustainability is more than just a goal for us, it is our direction for the future. That is why we need partners who understand the complexity of our business and are able to think strategically and innovatively at the same time. When we are looking for new packaging solutions, we do not compromise between efficiency and sustainability. With DS Smith, we have proven with Safe Shell that it is possible to combine both for a faster process, equal protection, and use of 100% corrugated cardboard”, said Rok Štifter, Director of Shared Development Services for the Small Household Appliances Division.
Jožica Hojnik, Director of Sales and Innovation at DS Smith, Slovenia, added, “When a customer entrusts us with a challenge such as the reduction of Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS), we are excited to provide them with an innovative packaging product and to build a collaborative relationship with them at the same time”.
In recognition of its design and sustainability credentials, DS Smith Universal Protection for Household Blenders was nominated for a Packaging Oscar in Slovenia in 2024. BSH Nazarje focuses on the development and production of small home appliances for the food and beverage sector.