DS Smith invests €13.4m to support fibre-based packaging demand in Denmark

DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading provider of fibre-based and sustainable packaging solutions, is strengthening its production facilities at its packaging facility in Grenaa in Djursland, Denmark, with a strategic investment of up to DKK 100 million.

The investment is intended to reinforce DS Smith’s capacity to provide packaging solutions to customers in the region and increase competitiveness in Northern Europe by continuing to deliver quality products with higher precision and efficiency. The improvements are also anticipated to provide optimal benefits for customers with a specific requirement for automated packing production and logistics lines.

Enhanced printing techniques

A key focus is the installation of an advanced rotary die cutting line for flexographic printing - a high-speed rotary-relief technique that uses flexible photopolymer plates to transfer quick-drying ink onto paper, and on corrugated board conversion.

The new additions include five printing units, and a Göpfert Rotary Die Cutter 16/28 High Board Line, representing state-of-the-art technology in packaging production, and with a combination of servo driven technology, vacuum sheet transport, and automatic register control.

The machinery ensures accuracy throughout the production process and fast changeovers when switching from the manufacture of one product to another. It supports the creation of complex die cuts, a customized manufacturing process that uses a steel blade to cut, score, or crease corrugated cardboard into a variety of shapes – with the capacity to deliver high precision and minimal material waste, whilst maintaining a robust and reliable mechanical stability for operations with continuous loads.

We see a clear trend where an increasing number of customers are automating their packing and logistics processes. This places significantly higher demands on consistent quality and precision in packaging. With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to deliver solutions that perform seamlessly in our customers’ automated flows – both for today and in the future.

Kristian Eriksen, Sales Director at DS Smith Denmark.

Optimized supply chain resilience and forecasting

The DS Smith packaging facility in Grenaa currently provides leading expertise to a wide variety of sectors, ranging from e-Commerce and food and beverage, to industrials, and with the newly upgraded packaging and production line, DS Smith expects to increase its capacity at the Grenaa facility by up to 15 million m² of corrugated board per year. The increased capacity will also contribute to shorter delivery times with enhanced stability. The new machinery will help to optimize supply chain resilience and forecasting in terms of streamlining the capability to foresee and prepare for challenges in the production process.

In addition to the investment at the DS Smith Grenaa packaging facility, the company will benefit from upgrades at its state-of-the-art packaging facility in Bredasten, Värnamo in Sweden. This involves a 3,000 sqm extension and is intended to support the continued provision of the best possible services and product innovations for customers, while strengthening internal processes and operations. The transition will take place in phases with completion anticipated by June 2027. As part of the development process, current warehouse operations based out of Malmö will also be relocated to Bredasten.

DS Smith has a target-led sustainability strategy, Redefining Packaging for a Changing World, and is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for its customers.