Closed-Type Tray protects fresh produce during transatlantic transport

DS Smith is supplying a Closed-Type Tray solution for the transportation of kiwifruit and other fresh fruit and vegetable products to producers in the Greek marketplace.

The Closed-Type Tray solution is intended to meet the requirements of transatlantic journeys that exceed forty-five days, and designed to ensure optimal product quality and freshness, it consists of lightweight materials for increased loading capacity - providing protection throughout the duration of the supply chain process through to arrival at end destination.

The packaging is versatile and can be adapted to a different range of requirements, with 10kg trays, inclusive of a body, base, and top lid. The lid is fully integrated into the design, and a die-cut technique is applied to create holes in the side of the solution for optimum ventilation. The strength of the trays is due to an internal structural design that has reinforced corners and each is effective in enhancing the solution’s overall durability, while eliminating the need for reinforcement from additional materials.

The trays which make for an effective alternative to plastic packaging solutions for the transportation of fresh fruit, are comprised of fibre-based materials manufactured out of a high-quality virgin paper with a specific weight to ensure strength and durability.

Similarly, the overall structure is key to preserving the freshness of the fruit products inside, and prior to export, fresh fruit producers have the option to place their own intelligent atmosphere and temperature-controlled bags inside the sealed trays to manage and optimise the required travel conditions for their products.

In order to utilise the minimal amount of material in line with DS Smith’s unique and industry-first Circular Design Principles analysis, the design and implementation team used their standard Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to rate and compare the circularity of a packaging design across eight different indicators - ranging from supply chain optimisation, recyclability, materials utilisation and carbon footprint, to renewable source.

In addition, the simple structure of the tray allows for a streamlined packing process and is easy to assemble on automatic forming machines with a speeded up or reduced packing time. The exterior of the packaging design is versatile for a variety of printing techniques and branding options.

At DS Smith, sustainability and innovation are at the core of every packaging solution we design and especially for critical sectors such as agri-food, where product safety, freshness, and quality are paramount. We used our Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to ensure that this packaging solution is fully recyclable and created for easy collection, processing, and reintegration into the supply chain as raw material. Its focus is on performance optimisation, durability, and functionality, and it is lightweight to meet the demands of these international supply chains.

Giorgos Filippoglou, Managing Director, Greek Cluster, Packaging Division, DS Smith Hellas.

The Closed-Type Tray for the transportation of fresh fruit was supplied exclusively to kiwifruit producers in Greece until 2026, and DS Smith currently delivers around 1.5 million trays to customers worldwide each year.

Through its purpose of and its company-wide and target-led sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading a transition to the circular economy, and to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for customers worldwide.