Begin with the intervention, not the device

Packaging lines combine conveyors, fillers, sealers, labellers, inspection systems, case packers and palletising equipment. Their interfaces are frequent sources of skewed packs, accumulation faults and poorly controlled transfers. Before discussing protective devices, the project team should list every foreseeable intervention across production, cleaning, changeover, fault finding and maintenance.

For each intervention, ask why a person must approach the hazardous area. If operators regularly straighten packs at a transfer, the initial engineering question is not how to detect their entry. It is whether guide geometry, conveyor height, speed matching or automatic rejection can remove the need to reach in. This design-first approach to machinery risk reduction follows the sequence established by ISO 12100: reduce risk through inherently safe design before relying on safeguarding.

Use layout to eliminate hazardous situations

A packaging-line layout determines more than footprint and throughput. It affects visibility, access, posture, escape routes and the position from which adjustments are made. During an upgrade, teams should review whether control stations provide a clear view of relevant zones and whether routine work requires anyone to lean across conveyors or stand between connected machines.

Small changes can have substantial effects. A lubrication point can be extended outside an enclosure. A sensor bracket can be relocated so that adjustment occurs from a safe position. Product guides can be made externally adjustable. Adequate access can be designed for tools and expected body dimensions, rather than leaving technicians to work through narrow gaps. Each change must still be reassessed because a relocated component or altered access route may introduce a different hazard.

Treat recurring jams as a design signal

Frequent intervention is often described as operator behaviour when it is actually evidence of weak process reliability. Misaligned containers, unstable cartons, film tracking faults and inconsistent product spacing repeatedly expose people to machinery. Procedures may control individual interventions, but they do not address why those interventions occur.

Upgrade teams should examine transfer geometry, material tolerances, component durability, diagnostics and control behaviour. Improving pack guidance or detecting a malformed item before it enters the next machine may eliminate routine fault clearing. Better diagnostics can also help personnel identify the affected zone without opening several guards or bypassing protective measures while searching for a fault. Reliability work is therefore part of exposure reduction, not merely an availability initiative.

Redesign changeover and cleaning tasks

Format changes often require sensor repositioning, guide adjustment, tool replacement and recipe selection. The safest task may be the one removed entirely. Components can sometimes cover the intended product range without manual repositioning, while fixed datum points, keyed tooling and external adjustment mechanisms can reduce entry into hazardous zones.

Cleaning deserves the same scrutiny. Consider where residues collect, whether surfaces can be reached without awkward posture and whether removable parts can be handled safely. Avoid creating guarding that makes routine cleaning so difficult that defeating it becomes tempting. Where access remains necessary, define the machine state, isolation needs and foreseeable stored energy before selecting the protective concept.

Select safeguards for the risk that remains

After practicable design changes have been considered, remaining hazards can be addressed through guards, interlocks, electro-sensitive protective equipment and other measures. Selection should reflect the hazard, access frequency, approach, stopping performance and required production task. A light curtain is not automatically preferable to a guard, and an interlocked door is not automatically suitable for every intervention.

Safety-related control functions should be specified and validated rather than inferred from component labels. ISO 13849 can support decisions about the required performance and implementation of those functions, but a calculated performance level does not show that the complete task is usable or safe. The assessment must consider sensors, logic, actuators, predictable failures and the behaviour of the machinery after power loss or reset.

Maintain an evidence trail through the upgrade

A packaging-line modification should leave a traceable record of hazards considered, design decisions made and protective measures verified. Photographs, drawings, test results and changeover observations are most useful when connected to the relevant hazard or measure, rather than stored as unexplained files. A structured machine risk assessment evidence bundle can help reviewers understand what each record demonstrates and which decision it supports.

The assessment should be revisited after every significant measure. Automation might remove manual feeding while creating a new crushing point; external adjustment might reduce access while increasing the possibility of an unintended setting change. Residual risk should be communicated only after design and safeguarding options have been examined. This process does not guarantee compliance or transfer the manufacturer’s responsibility. It gives the upgrade team a disciplined basis for deciding what to redesign, what to safeguard and what must still be verified before the line returns to production.

The post Safer Packaging-Line Upgrades Start Before the Guarding Review first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

What Manufacturers Should Consider When Mixing Bulk Liquids Before PackagingThe mixing tank may be the last place you want to discover a batch problem. Once an inconsistent blend has been filled into thousands of bottles, pails or drums, correcting it becomes far more complicated and costly. Manufacturers need to pay close attention to mixing before packaging, since this stage can determine whether the finished product meets its required specifications.

Choosing suitable equipment, understanding the liquid’s properties and maintaining consistent operating conditions all play a role in achieving a reliable blend. This guide explores the key questions to consider before mixing bulk liquids, from material characteristics and equipment selection to operator safety and quality checks.

Why the Mixing Step Deserves More Attention

Mixing seems simple until it goes wrong. Ingredients that look blended can stratify, settle or foam. A mix that works in a lab beaker may behave differently in a 275-gallon tote. And a batch that is uneven at the start of filling can drift by the end of the run.

Because packaging locks in whatever you send it, small mixing problems become large quality problems. Treat mixing as a controlled process with defined inputs, settings and checks, not as an afternoon task for whoever is free. A short written procedure, even one page long, makes a surprising difference.

Know the Liquid Before Choosing the Method

Start with the material. Properties decide almost everything else:

• Viscosity: thin liquids and thick pastes need very different mixing energy
• Density differences: heavy components may sink while light ones float
• Solids content: powders and particles need to be suspended or dissolved
• Temperature sensitivity: heat from mixing can change some products
• Shear sensitivity: aggressive mixing can damage emulsions or foams

Foaming and air entrainment: trapped air can ruin fill accuracy

Write down these properties and your goal, such as blending, dissolving or keeping solids suspended. A mixer chosen for the wrong goal wastes energy and can make the product worse. If you run several products, group them by similar properties, since one setup rarely suits everything.

Safety Comes First

Mixing operations often involve flammable liquids, reactive chemicals, moving parts, and enclosed containers, making safety planning essential. Before starting any mixing process, review the relevant safety data sheets to understand chemical hazards, handling requirements, and emergency measures. Following established chemical safety guidelines can help workers understand potential workplace hazards and appropriate protective measures. Check hazardous area classifications, grounding practices, and lockout procedures to reduce the risk of fires, chemical exposure, and equipment-related accidents.

Ensure the mixer is suitable for the materials being processed and that all protective guards and safety controls are functioning correctly. Employees should receive appropriate training on operating procedures and potential hazards. Make sure everyone working near the mixer knows where the emergency stop is located and how to use it properly. Regular equipment inspections, clear operating instructions, and well-established emergency procedures help create a safer working environment and reduce the likelihood of preventable incidents.

Matching the Mixer to the Container

Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), commonly known as IBC totes, are widely used to store and transport liquids, but their shape and narrow openings can limit mixer compatibility. Cedarstone Industry describes its IBC tote mixer options as compatible with standard 275- and 330-gallon totes, with top-mounted designs and electric or air-powered drives. The company also advises confirming tote dimensions before ordering.

For totes with narrow top openings, a folding impeller can simplify installation: the blades fold for insertion and expand during operation, allowing a larger effective mixing diameter than the opening alone would permit. Selection still depends on viscosity, solids content, desired mixing intensity and the tote’s mounting and structural limitations.

Regardless of the supplier, check the shaft length, impeller size, mounting method, drive type and, where required by the area classification, the equipment’s hazardous-location suitability against your actual container and operating environment. Consider whether the mixer can accommodate changes in viscosity and the range of products you process. It is also worth checking spare-part availability, maintenance access and how easily the unit can be transferred between totes. These details can help you determine whether the equipment suits your workflow and operating requirements.

Controlling the Process

Good equipment still needs good procedures. A reliable mixing routine usually includes:

• A defined order of addition, since sequence can affect dissolving and reactions
• Set speeds and run times, based on testing rather than guesses
• Steps to avoid vortexing and air entrainment
• Sampling at locations and frequencies established by a suitable sampling plan; top, middle and bottom samples may help assess uniformity
• Checks of viscosity, density, pH or other key properties
• Records of batch numbers, times and settings

Test new products on a small scale first, then confirm the results in the full container. Written steps and operator training make results repeatable from shift to shift. Short refreshers, checklists posted near the equipment and a clear way to report problems help the whole team catch issues early.

Cleaning, Compatibility and Cross-Contamination

What touches the liquid matters. Check that the materials of the shaft, impeller and seals are compatible with your chemistry, because corrosion and swelling can shorten equipment life and contaminate batches. Decide how equipment will be cleaned between products, and verify that the cleaning method actually works.

If you run allergens, regulated products or color-sensitive formulas, plan extra steps to avoid carryover. Dedicated tools, clear labeling and documented cleaning checks help protect quality and customers. Keep the cleaning records with the batch records, so you can answer questions quickly if a customer ever raises a concern.

Conclusion

Mixing bulk liquids before packaging is a quality decision, a safety decision and a cost decision all at once. Understand the properties of your product, match equipment to the container and environment, follow safe practices, write down a repeatable process and verify the results with sampling and records.

Check cleaning and material compatibility as carefully as the blend itself. When the mixing step is planned instead of improvised, every container that leaves the line is more likely to match the last one, and your team spends less time fixing problems after the fact.

The post What Manufacturers Should Consider When Mixing Bulk Liquids Before Packaging first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

The Real Cost of a Peeling Label

It is easy to look at a label as just a piece of paper with some ink on it. But in an industrial setting, that small piece of material is the only thing standing between an organized facility and total chaos. When labels fail, the consequences ripple through the entire business, affecting everything from the bottom line to the well-being of the staff.

Keeping the Workplace Safe and Compliant

The most important job of an industrial label is keeping people safe. Hazardous materials, high-voltage equipment, and complex server racks all require clear, highly visible warnings. If a standard label is wiped clean by a chemical splash or peels off due to humidity, workers are suddenly left in the dark about potential dangers. Regulatory agencies have strict rules regarding how these hazards must be marked, and a missing tag is a fast track to failed safety audits and hefty fines. Durable labels ensure that crucial safety information stays exactly where it belongs, fully legible, for years on end.

Stopping the Drain of Lost Inventory

Beyond safety, fading labels are a massive drain on productivity. When a barcode cannot be scanned, a worker has to manually type in serial numbers, search for physical manifests, or guess what is inside a container. This dramatically slows down shipping, receiving, and inventory audits. Over a year, the minutes wasted trying to read degraded asset tags add up to thousands of dollars in lost labor. Investing in labels that refuse to scratch, fade, or fall off is one of the easiest ways to instantly boost a facility’s efficiency.

What Makes a Label Truly Durable?

You might wonder why a label bought from an office supply store cannot simply be slapped onto a factory asset. The answer lies in the harsh realities of the physical environment. Industrial settings are incredibly aggressive, and they require identification markers made from highly specialized materials.

Fighting Off Harsh Chemicals and Scrapes

In a heavy industrial setting, equipment gets dirty and needs to be cleaned with harsh industrial solvents, degreasers, and abrasive brushes. A standard paper label will dissolve instantly under these conditions. True industrial labels are crafted from advanced polymers and tough face-stocks that repel liquids. They are paired with heavy-duty protective topcoats that stop chemicals from eating away at the printed ink, ensuring that barcodes and text remain crisp even after heavy scrubbing.

Labels That Stand Up to Extreme Heat and Cold

Temperature is another major enemy of standard adhesives. If you put a regular sticker into an industrial freezer, the glue turns brittle, and the label falls right off. If you put it into a high-heat curing oven, it melts into an unreadable mess. Durable industrial labels utilize adhesives designed specifically to handle extreme thermal shock. They hold their grip perfectly, whether they are plunged into deep cryogenic storage or exposed to the intense heat of an automotive engine block.

Finding the Perfect Label for Every Job

One of the biggest challenges in asset management is that no two surfaces are exactly alike. A massive steel drum requires a very different type of label than a tiny, curved cable inside a control panel. This is why having a versatile manufacturing partner is so important. Facility managers need a source that can provide massive, weather-resistant outdoor placards just as easily as they provide ultra-thin, heat-resistant wrap-around markers for delicate electronics. By working with IndustriTAG, companies can ensure every single item in their inventory is properly secured.

Stepping into the Future with RFID Labels

As businesses grow, their tracking needs become more complex. For facilities that need to move faster than traditional barcode scanning allows, the world of durable labeling now includes smart technology. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) takes durable labels to the next level by embedding a tiny microchip inside the tough exterior. This allows warehouse workers to instantly scan entire pallets of goods at once, without ever needing to actually see the label. Perfect for organizations that see lack of efficiency as their biggest operational bottleneck.

At the end of the day, a facility is only as organized as its identification system. By upgrading to labels that are built to withstand the toughest conditions imaginable, businesses can eliminate daily frustrations, breeze through safety audits, and keep their operations running smoothly for the long haul.

The post Never Compromise on Safety: Why Durable Industrial Labels Matter first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

Start with the Way the Product Leaves the Pack

For non-pressurised products, an aluminium bottle fitted with a spray pump, lotion pump or screw cap offers a familiar packaging architecture. The closure meters or releases the product mechanically, and the bottle does not rely on an internal propellant. This can suit fine fragrance mists, hair treatments, lotions and other formulas when the selected dispensing component delivers the required spray pattern or dose. Pump output, viscosity and the neck finish have to be considered together.

An aluminium aerosol can is a different system. Its valve and actuator control discharge from a pressurised container, allowing dispensing characteristics that a conventional finger pump may not provide. Product categories such as deodorants, hairsprays, dry shampoos and shaving foams may use this architecture, although the formulation and desired output determine the actual configuration.

Bag-on-valve systems introduce another distinction: the product is held in a bag while compressed air or nitrogen provides pressure outside it. The choice between conventional aerosol and bag-on-valve changes the filling process and component specification, not simply the marketing description.

The Dimensions on a Quotation Are Not the Whole Specification

Shining Packaging’s aluminium screw-bottle range includes capacities from 30 to 1,000 mL and thread options from 18 to 43 mm, depending on the bottle selected. Common finishes include 20/410, 24/410 and 28/410.

These figures matter because a matching nominal thread is only the starting point: the actual pump, gasket, dip tube and closure torque must work with the selected neck geometry. A packaging team moving from PET or glass also needs to check conveyor guides, handling equipment and fill-height settings rather than assume a like-for-like line change.

For aluminium aerosol cans, Shining Packaging lists diameters from 22 to 80 mm and full capacities from 17 to 1,000 mL. Here the difference between container capacity and marketable fill volume is especially important.

One 45 × 150 mm can is listed at 210 mL full capacity, with indicative fills of 150 mL for the supplier’s liquid-gas configuration and 125 mL for its compressed-gas/bag-on-valve configuration. Those numbers describe particular configurations, not universal filling limits. Selecting a can by the number on the retail label alone can produce a costly mismatch.

Internal Coatings Are Part of Formulation Development

Aluminium blocks light, but the metal substrate is not automatically compatible with every cosmetic formulation. Internal coatings help separate the product from the container wall. Shining’s aerosol-can specifications identify standard EP and PAM options, alongside other coating systems; its screw-bottle portfolio includes EP and polyester-based options.

The decision should reflect what is being packed—particularly where alcohol, fragrance ingredients, water-based chemistry or aggressive ingredients are involved.

This is where a packaging sample must become a filled-product sample. Relevant checks can include appearance changes, odour, corrosion, coating adhesion and any effect on dispensing after storage under the intended conditions. The closure liner, valve seals and other contact materials belong in the same review. A supplier’s general statement about coating availability does not establish compatibility with a specific formula, nor does it by itself establish suitability for every market.

Pressure Performance Changes the Aerosol Purchasing Brief

The supplier describes its monobloc aerosol cans as cold-extruded from 99.7% aluminium and offers 25.4 mm and 20 mm openings. The opening affects valve selection and crimping equipment, while shoulder profiles affect overall geometry and decoration.

Its published deformation-pressure thresholds are 1.2 MPa for standard cans and 1.8 MPa for high-pressure versions; corresponding burst-pressure thresholds are 1.4 and 2.1 MPa. These are stated test thresholds, not permission to use those figures as operating or filling pressures.

For buyers, the practical question is whether the specified empty can, valve, propellant or compressed-gas system and intended filling conditions form a qualified package. The can supplier and filler need to agree on the relevant pressure class, opening, crimp dimensions and inspection requirements before a production order is released.

Design Freedom Still Has to Survive Manufacturing

Both formats offer scope for printed decoration. Shining lists eight- to nine-colour printing and glossy or matte finishes for its aluminium bottles and aerosol cans, with variations in base coats and profiles.

Direct-to-container graphics can make a consistent visual identity possible across a pump bottle and an aerosol line, but artwork must be checked against shoulder curvature, the usable print area and abrasion during packing and transport.

A productive sourcing discussion therefore starts with a product brief rather than a photograph of a desirable bottle. State the formula, target fill, expected dispensing behaviour, planned closure or valve, sales markets and existing filling equipment. Ask for the precise drawing and coating specification for the proposed SKU, not just a category-wide catalogue.

Aluminium bottles and aerosol cans can share a visual language; whether they can deliver the same product experience depends on the engineering beneath it.

The post Aluminum Bottles vs. Aerosol Cans: Choosing the Right Format for Personal Care Packaging first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

Key machine capabilities:

• Installed at SÜDPACK’s Competence Center for flexographic printing in Kłobuck, Poland
• Handles flexible packaging materials for both food and non-food applications
• Processes extra-wide webs with long repeat lengths at high speeds
• Supports both large volume and short print runs efficiently
• Features a star-shaped printing-unit configuration for superior print quality

Advanced Print Quality and Production Performance

The new flexographic printing system uses a star-shaped configuration of printing units, with high-precision mounting of the printing-unit shafts. This arrangement delivers consistent print quality even during complex jobs run at high production speeds. The machine’s capacity for extra-wide webs, long repeat lengths, and elevated speeds means that large print runs can be completed quickly and efficiently. Equally important, fast changeovers make short print runs economically viable, giving SÜDPACK the ability to respond to varied order sizes without compromising on quality or turnaround.

An optimized workflow shortens lead times from the pre-press stage through to the finished product. This enables SÜDPACK to act on short-notice customer requests with greater agility. The standardized printing process reduces potential sources of error, ensuring consistent and reproducible print images across entire production runs and on repeat orders. The machine is also described as Industry 4.0-ready, with connectivity to Internet of Things and enterprise resource planning systems that facilitates data sharing and lays a foundation for further workflow optimization.

Workflow, automation, and digital features:

• Two integrated high-speed robots enable fully automated job changeovers at the touch of a button
• Cylinders for up to four subsequent orders can be prepared in advance while the machine continues running
• RFID identification helps operators correctly match carrier cylinders, anilox rolls, and sleeves
• IoT and ERP connectivity supports data sharing across production systems
• Ergonomic design eliminates the need to lift heavy adapters during manual sleeve changes, with intuitive operator guidance provided throughout

Automation and Responsiveness to Customer Needs

The two independent high-speed robots integrated into the system are central to reducing operator workload during job changeovers. Because cylinders for upcoming orders can be staged while the current job is still running, preparation time is maximized and changeover periods are shortened. RFID technology adds a further layer of process security by ensuring printing components are correctly matched before each run. Operators benefit from safer, more ergonomic manual sleeve changes, as the system provides guidance and removes the need to handle heavy adapters.

Through this investment, SÜDPACK is advancing both automation and digitization within its flexographic printing operations at Kłobuck. The company states that the resulting improvements in process security and transparency are intended to create more room for value-added activities, strengthening its ability to provide customers in Europe with high-quality printed flexible packaging solutions more quickly and flexibly.

The post SÜDPACK Boosts Flexographic Printing Capabilities first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

PM6 had been out of operation since a rockslide at the Saugbrugs mill in April 2023. In the interim, the facility continued to serve the SC magazine paper market through its PM4 and PM5 production lines. Extensive project development and new technology have now enabled a solution that allows the rebuilt PM6 to switch flexibly between TMP-based kraftliner production and SC magazine paper output.

Key investment details:

• Investment of up to approximately NOK 850 million for the PM6 rebuild at Saugbrugs in Halden, Norway.
• Flexible annual capacity of up to approximately 300,000 tonnes of TMP-based kraftliner or approximately 230,000 tonnes of SC magazine paper.
• These figures represent alternative production configurations, not simultaneous output.
• Start-up of the rebuilt PM6 is expected during the first half of 2028.

Expanded Fibre-Based Packaging Capability

“The rebuild of PM6 represents an important step in securing a competitive and sustainable industrial future for Saugbrugs. The project combines our strong position and long-standing competence in publication paper with an attractive opportunity within fibre-based packaging. It will significantly improve the cost position of the mill and provide valuable flexibility to adapt production to future market developments. This investment will enable the continued growth of Norske Skog into packaging solutions which has been our strategic vision for many years,” says Geir Drangsland, CEO of Norske Skog.

The new TMP-based kraftliner product will be based on high-quality virgin fibre, particularly targeting lower grammages. Customers are increasingly seeking strong and lightweight packaging solutions with excellent printability, a low fossil carbon footprint and suitability for food-contact applications. This kraftliner production capability will complement the company’s existing packaging paper activities and broaden its exposure to the growing fibre-based packaging segment.

Manufacturing and operational implications:

• The rebuilt PM6 is expected to deliver a materially improved cost position through more efficient energy consumption, a streamlined production process and reduced staffing requirements.
• Following PM6 start-up, production on PM4 and PM5 is planned to cease permanently without interrupting customer deliveries.
• Saugbrugs is expected to remain a reliable supplier of high-quality SC magazine paper.
• Detailed engineering and preparatory activities will continue alongside planned property transactions and project financing measures still to be pursued.

Preparatory Work and Site Development Plans

“Saugbrugs has a highly competent organisation, high-quality fibre resources and established industrial infrastructure. By combining these strengths with a more efficient PM6 and increased product flexibility, we believe the project provides a strong platform for continued value creation here in Halden. The investment also demonstrates Norske Skog’s ambition to develop rather than phase out industrial activity where competitive solutions can be established,” says Anders Hauge Johansen, Mill Director of Norske Skog Saugbrugs.

Preparatory activities will run in parallel with a planned sale of the PM6 building and property and a leaseback agreement for the same assets, while a potential sale of the Saugbrugs administration office is also being considered. Project financing measures are expected to be pursued over the coming period to cover the investment in this kraftliner production expansion. Separately, the Saugbrugs site continues to explore the opportunity for an 80 to 100 MW data centre development on available portions of the site alongside continued fibre-processing operations.

The post Norske Skog Approves PM6 Rebuild to Expand Kraftliner Production first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

Flexible packaging is widely used across food, daily necessities and pharmaceutical applications. However, because it is composed of multiple materials, including films, printing inks and laminating adhesives, the processes of deinking and delamination are critical to achieving high-quality material recycling. Previously, evaluations of these processes in Japan relied on proprietary test conditions and criteria, making it difficult to compare results across companies or materials. This lack of standardization hindered recyclability assessment during the design phase and complicated information sharing across the domestic supply chain.

The new common evaluation protocol provides converters, brand owners and recyclers with a shared basis to evaluate and compare film packaging recyclability.

• The protocol defines equipment, test conditions, material handling and operational steps to improve reproducibility in Japanese testing environments
• Objective criteria have been established for assessing deinking and delamination performance along with recycled plastic quality
• A unified reporting format standardizes how test conditions and results are documented to support comparison across stakeholders

The practical value of the common evaluation protocol extends across several participants in the Japanese packaging value chain. Converters can use the framework to select printing and processing conditions as well as materials that prioritize recyclability. Brand owners gain the ability to choose highly recyclable packaging materials based on objective data rather than relying on disparate proprietary assessments. Recyclers can establish appropriate processing conditions based on documented material characteristics, supporting improved recycled plastic quality.

By providing a standardized framework for recyclability assessment, the protocol creates a common language for evaluating film packaging recyclability that was previously unavailable in the Japanese market.

• Converters benefit from clearer guidance on materials and processes that improve recyclability outcomes
• Brand owners can make packaging selections using objective, comparable data
• Recyclers can align processing conditions with material characteristics documented through the standardized reporting format

Industry Showcase and Continued Refinement

DIC Corporation and the artience Group aim to establish the protocol as the standard for recyclability assessment in the flexible packaging sector in Japan. Both companies are inviting industry stakeholders across the domestic supply chain to adopt the framework, which covers the full cycle from design and manufacturing through collection and recycling.

The companies will continue refining the protocol by incorporating insights from actual packaging materials and recycling processes in the Japanese market. The protocol and related initiatives will be showcased at the respective DIC and artience Group booths during TOKYO PACK 2026, scheduled for October 14 to 16 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, with the DIC booth located in East Hall 2, Booth 2R04.

The post DIC and artience Establish Film Packaging Recyclability Protocol first appeared on Packaging World Insights.

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The initiative prepares DS Smith for EUDR requirements expected to come into force at the end of 2026 while strengthening supply chain governance and data management. Supplier onboarding, traceability and compliance information are managed through the osapiens HUB.

DS Smith Expands Packaging Supply Chain Traceability

The companies reviewed sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and sales processes across DS Smith’s operations. Previously separate supply chain systems, onboarding and reporting processes were integrated into a single platform, creating greater visibility into supplier and material data.

Key developments include:

• Coverage across more than 250 plants and facilities in over 30 countries
• Digital supplier onboarding through a centralized system
• Traceability of EUDR-relevant materials from origin through distribution
• Integrated supplier, material and compliance information

Since implementation, more than 25,000 supply chain workflows have been executed, nearly 25,000 land plots have been monitored automatically and almost 10,000 compliance-related cases have been managed through automated case management. These capabilities support packaging supply chain traceability while helping DS Smith prepare for evolving regulatory requirements.

“Nearly 80% of supply chain leaders tell us that uncertain geopolitical regulatory requirements have made operating their businesses more difficult over the past six months. That pressure is not going away,” said Matias Pollmann-Larsen, Global Risk, Resilience and Sustainable Value Chain lead, Accenture. “What DS Smith has done with Accenture and osapiens is build the data foundation needed to stay ahead of these challenges, rather than simply responding to the next regulation when it arrives.”

Integrated Data Supports EUDR Compliance

Accenture supported process transformation, supplier enablement, systems integration and programme scaling, while osapiens provided the technology platform. More than 1,000 suppliers have engaged through a single process, helping centralize compliance management and improve packaging supply chain traceability.

The programme also provides:

• Automated compliance and case management
• Centralized supplier and material data
• Greater visibility across supply chain processes
• A consistent approach to traceability and reporting

The osapiens HUB brings supplier and traceability information into a centralized environment, allowing DS Smith teams to access data and suppliers to submit information through a streamlined process. This supports packaging supply chain traceability as the company manages EUDR-related requirements.

The programme strengthens packaging supply chain traceability for DS Smith as it prepares for EUDR requirements and broader sustainability and product compliance needs. Accenture and osapiens are also expanding their collaboration to support supply chain transparency and compliance for clients globally.

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