DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions, has been named a finalist in the Climate category of the Sustainability Awards 2025. The nominated innovation, DS Smith Lift Up – designed as a plastic replacement – was developed in collaboration with packaging and bottling machinery specialist, Krones.
The final winners of the Sustainability Awards 2025 will be revealed at the Sustainable Packaging Summit which is held between the 10th and 12th of November 2025 in Utrecht, Netherlands. The shortlisted finalists were announced by the event’s international and independent panel of expert judges on Wednesday 4th June 2025.
DS Smith Lift Up
A fibre-based corrugated cardboard recyclable packaging solution is designed as an alternative to plastic shrink wrap for large and small PET bottle multi-packs. The innovation eliminates the requirement for single use plastic and successfully reduces carbon emissions, and energy consumption. It is comprised of a corrugated cardboard clip with printed graphics, an integrated carrier handle, and a paper band. These simple features ensure that the packaging solution is easy to open, carry, and recycle, for the consumer.
Fibre-based solutions for PET bottles
DS Smith supplies a printed paper band in conjunction with a corrugated clip, and both are designed to be applied on high-speed Krones packaging lines. The fibre-based materials are extremely efficient to manufacture, and they ensure a reduction of 58% in overall energy consumption on the packing line.
Reduction in CO2 emissions
In addition to benefits in sustainable manufacturing, a third party panel critically reviewed the DS Smith Lift-Up packaging solution with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, completed by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) consultancy firm. The outcome of the assessment demonstrates a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to a standard shrink film pack. This means that for a typical packing line with 23 million bottles per year and a typical pack of 6x1, 5L, DS Lift Up can help brands in the beverage sectors remove around 582 tons of plastic and 1260 tons of CO2 emissions from their respective marketplaces.
Patricia Oddshammar, Design & Innovation Director, DS Smith: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Packaging Sustainability Awards. Our DS Smith Lift Up packaging solution is intended to replace plastic shrink wrap on PET bottles and it has been hugely successful in eliminating carbon emissions. In-store, DS Smith Lift Up is a visibly appealing option on shelf and at Point of Sale, and consumers are benefiting from its easy-to-carry function, ergonomic handle, and intuitive opening mechanism”.
DS Smith Lift Up has a full suite of packaging solutions ranging from duo-packs up to eight packs to apply on small and large bottles, and all the options can be produced on the same packing lines.
The Sustainability Awards 2025 set an agenda on best practice with a focus on Research and Development (R&D), and its core entrants include global brands, start-ups, research bodies, and manufacturers. The Climate Category recognises packaging innovations that drive resource efficiency through the downgauging or reducing of the carbon footprint of materials.
DS Smith is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for its customers across thirty-four countries worldwide. The business has a target led Now and Next sustainability strategy, in support of its purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World.