Q1: How does Versuni approach partnerships with packaging companies to develop innovative packaging solutions that align with customer and consumer needs?
Versuni’s approach to packaging is one of collaboration and continuous evolution. I think that partnerships between manufacturers and the best packaging companies in the eco-system are a crucial part of facilitating innovation. They are a great way of ensuring that product packaging not only meets key regulatory and market requirements, but also ensures that packaging is bold, fresh, sustainable, and convenient for consumers.
Q2: In your view, why is collaboration across the supply chain crucial for advancing a circular economy?
For a circular economy to be realised, collaboration across the value chain is key. This should not just happen in one specific sector or area, but end-to-end collaboration across the entire supply chain. From producers to consumers to waste managers, all facets of the supply chain must strive to implement sustainable business principles to realise a circular and at the same time affordable economy. To help make this happen, we need to collaborate and share expertise, so that we can innovative and come up with answers to common problems and challenges. Partnerships drive this innovation as they allow businesses to partner with the best parties in the ecosystem and target specific aspects of the supply chain and implement new designs or technologies that they can subsequently scale up.
Q3: How do partnerships, like the one between Versuni and DS Smith, drive innovation and implement designs or technologies that promote circularity?
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the recyclability of the packaging of products they buy. There is truth in the claim that sustainable packaging is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but becoming a hygiene factor.
Product solutions created by manufacturers and packaging companies in shared partnership are therefore essential to staying ahead of the curve. Our partnerships with packaging companies like DS Smith have facilitated creativity and the latest technological developments, and with that helped us stay competitive and agile in aligning with key consumer trends.
Q4: Can you elaborate on Versuni’s partnership with DS Smith to create sustainable and recycled packaging, and how it complements your broader circular business principles?
DS Smith have created sustainable packaging solutions across Versuni’s home appliance global product portfolio, including products such as the Air Fryer, Espresso Machine with Latte Go and the Air Purifier.
DS Smith’s fibre-based packaging solution for the Philips Baristina, a product which is itself made from over 50% recycled plastics, is a prime example of the benefits of collaboration. The packaging’s design complements the sustainable credentials of the Baristina machine itself nicely. Unlike traditional single-use or capsule machines, there is no plastic or aluminium waste from each cup of coffee from the Baristina. So, sustainability and circularity were really at the forefront of our minds when we developed the product. DS Smith were well positioned to help us create a packaging design for the device that was robust, protective and sustainable. The end result was a fibre-based packaging solution made from over 90% recycled paper, with no plastic contained in the box. Looking forward, we see sustainable packaging solutions that promote circularity as a critical part of the household appliances we bring to market.
Q5: Could you provide insights into initiatives such as the Philips Refurb Editions and the Philips Recycling Program, and how they align with Versuni’s commitment to sustainability?
At Versuni, we endeavour to use energy and materials as responsibly as we can. We have a range of initiatives, from our Philips Refurb Editions to our Philips Recycling Program, that encourage reuse, waste reduction and product circularity.
Philips’ Refurb Editions programme promotes consumers to give returned products a second chance. As part of this concept, when sold products are returned to Philips, we refurbish them and sell them again to consumers at a discounted price. This helps avoid these products ending up in landfill or wasted once the packaging has been opened. Since we launched the refurbishment programme in 2018, we have scaled our activities from one country to 10 and counting.
When it comes to recycling home appliances, Versuni also endeavour to tackle waste and encourage circularity. We have a scheme which promotes the recycling of Airfryer machines, for example. This incentivizes consumers to share with us where they hand in their old Airfryer, in exchange for a discount on a new one. These schemes reflect our broader Versuni philosophy of caring for the planet. We aim to make conscious choices that champion sustainability in the way we work, innovative, produce, reduce and re-use.
Q6: What future trends do you foresee in sustainable packaging, and how is Versuni preparing to adapt to these changes?
We see that the usage of sustainable packaging will continue to be driven by evolving packaging regulations, but equally so by consumer preferences. Consumer awareness of environmental concerns is only increasing, and businesses are responding accordingly with packaging innovations that enhance recyclability and minimise unnecessary waste. The adoption of sustainable packaging solutions requires cross-industry collaboration – it cannot happen in a vacuum. Collaboration between packaging specialists and manufactures will be key to advancing eco-friendly packaging measures and to the creation of new innovative packaging solutions.
Q7: What strategic initiatives has Versuni prioritized to enhance sustainability and innovation in its packaging solutions?
One strategic initiative we are implementing to advance sustainability is the re-use of waste as a resource in our packaging solutions. In late 2023, we announced our plan to introduce 100% recycled and 100% recyclable paper packaging across our Philips Home Appliances portfolio. This move aims to reduce our environmental impact and promotes circularity. The new packaging has been steadily rolled out globally with selected products and is testament to our goal to prioritize sustainability.