British packaging company DS Smith has made a new partnership in hope of investigating smart packaging solutions.
The collaboration with Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BEFC), a developer of fully recyclable smart tags, is a significant step towards using recyclable paper to reduce waste, monitor quality, and ensure supply chain efficiency during distribution and transportation, thereby reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Corrugated packaging and intelligent technology have the potential to reduce waste across the supply chain. Despite positive strides towards this goal, more smart solutions are needed to tackle inefficiency, cost, and carbon emissions.
DS Smith and BeFC are united in their commitment to address packaging issues head-on. This partnership is a testament to their shared vision and determination.
BeFC is known for its innovative and circular solutions that slash losses and improve sustainability. DS Smith will aim to revolutionise how the industry approaches supply chain waste with this transformative technology.
DS Smith’s involvement will form part of the company’s USD 123 million innovation investment, which will accelerate work in the circular economy and offer packaging with less environmental impact.
To develop these smart solutions, the partnership has focused on three key strategies to tackle inefficiency, cost and carbon emissions.
Firstly, they will improve product tracking by embedding a bespoke sensing platform and data protocols in digital solutions. This will allow for real-time tracking and monitoring of products whilst enhancing consumer experience and supply chain optimisation.
The partnership will reduce waste by extending the shelf life of products by providing accurate information about freshness and expiration dates.
Finally, transportation will be made more efficient to optimise loading times. This will reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping and save on operational costs.
The DS Smith x BeFC collaboration is an excellent example of combining shared expertise and resources to tackle inefficiencies and reduce waste and carbon emissions in supply chains while also understanding and validating compatibility with relevant recycling streams.
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