DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions, announces a triple win at the prestigious WorldStar Global Packaging Awards 2025.
The three awards, which are allocated for two separate categories within the competition, were presented during a ceremony held on the last day of the IPACK-IMA Packaging Show 2025 (27th – 30th May 2025) in Milan, Italy.
The first award for DS Smith is for TransSteel 2200C by Fronius International, an Austrian-based manufacturer of welding, photovoltaics and charging technology, and was presented within the Electronics category of the competition. The fibre-based packaging solution is modular in shape and made from corrugated cardboard. It is designed to protect Fronius International’s 15kg welding machines during transportation by truck, ship, air freight, or parcel service.
The robust packaging solution is 100% recyclable, lightweight and easy to construct and deconstruct with minimal components. The packaging concept consists of three identical trays for the base, a lid, and accessories. The DS Smith Design & Innovation team created two folded side walls with four layers on each side to insert and Ulock into the base tray on both the left and right sides of the packaging structure. The individual welding machines can be positioned securely within the packaging solution and the lid added and enabled as a carrying function. The packaging solution contains an outer box for the welding machines to be placed into, and it is filled accessory trays and sealed with adhesive tape.
The packaging solution underwent rigorous testing and evaluation, including drop tests from a height of 900 mm to evaluate the potential extent of impact to all surfaces, edges, and corners during a real-life transportation scenario, and was subject to a vibration test according to Fronius guidelines.
Peter Fronius, Head of Strategic Product Management, Fronius International:
“We are immensely proud of our modular packaging and our collaboration with DS Smith has been extremely successful. We have created tailor-made packaging solutions that meet our requirements for handling, transportation, safety, and coordination. We can pack and transport our Trans Steel 2200C machinery safely, with simpler assembly, in less time. The result is an optimized supply chain process with a more compact and sustainable approach.”
In the Transit category, DS Smith impressed the panel of judges with its packaging innovation for the natural cosmetics brand RINGANA.
The innovative packaging solution and concept was developed and designed to support RINGANA in its transportation of multiple cosmetics products by long-distance shipment. The new packaging solution allows for multiple products to be separately stored and protected in individual casing and compact assignments, and it is designed to contain thirty products in a variety of sizes and shapes. The innovation effectively reduces the volume of packaging, while using fewer materials and supporting the brand’s sustainability targets. In addition, the ultra-compact boxes benefit from integrated tear strips and Flexo printing on their external surfaces.
Andreas Wilflinger, Managing Director, RINGANA:
"We collaborated with DS Smith to develop this innovative packaging to transport our products as safety as possible. The flexible modular system allows us to optimize our supply chain efficiency through compact space utilisation. The new design looks great and is an integral part of our brand messaging.”
Dieter Glawischnig, Managing Director, DS Smith Packaging, Austria:
“We are thrilled to receive these accolades from the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards. Our creative design & innovation teams worked with our Circular Design Metric tools to create sustainable products that help support our customers in moving towards a circular economy.”
DS Smith Iberia was also awarded a WorldStar Global Packaging Award for DS Smith Tecnicarton Corrugated Cardboard Trays: Safe and Sustainable Packaging for Automotive Headlights in the Transit category.
DS Smith Tecnicarton, Iberia, specializes in providing packaging to the industrial sector with a focus on single-use, and returnable packaging solutions to support the transportation, logistics and supply chains of high volume and weighty products. The 100% corrugated cardboard trays are intended to replace Expanded Polypropylene (EPP). They are 100% recyclable and biodegradable and have a double fingerprint die cut. This allows for delicate and heavy automotive headlights to be positioned safely and immobilized on both on the top and bottom of the packaging - this unique feature guarantees the provision of optimal support for products during transportation, with protection against scratches and damage. In addition, the trays are stackable to facilitate optimum storage space and they can be integrated within large packages to maximize the number of pieces positioned.
Antonio Cebrián, Commercial Director, DS Smith Tecnicartion: “This award is a recognition of our commitment to sustainable design and logistics optimization, and the jury identified the best original, innovative and sustainable packaging for industrial sectors that is available for use in transport and logistics operations worldwide.”
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.