DS Smith and Alpine Water Develop Innovative Corrugated Protective Packaging for Hallstein Artesian Water
DS Smith, an international paper company and the world’s leading provider of sustainable corrugated packaging solutions, and Alpine Water Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft m. b. H. present their newly developed, innovative packaging solution for the premium drinking water brand Hallstein.
The transport box, developed in Austria, protects Hallstein’s glass bottles during worldwide shipping. Made entirely from corrugated cardboard, it replaces the brand’s previous packaging solution, which partly relied on traditional foam inserts. The new packaging holds six 750 ml Hallstein bottles. If needed, capacity can be expanded by combining the box with outer packaging of various sizes to transport nine, twelve, fifteen, or eighteen bottles.
Circular Design Metrics as a Success Factor
The DS Smith design team applied its industry-unique Circular Design Metrics to evaluate and compare the circularity of the old and new packaging designs. The comparison was carried out across eight different categories, including CO₂ footprint, design for reuse, supply chain optimization, material efficiency, and recyclability. The results are impressive: the new packaging solution reduces overall operating costs, increases recyclability, and makes disposal easier for end consumers.
More Efficient Production and Easier Handling
Thanks to the new packaging solution, twice as many Hallstein transport boxes with glass water bottles can now be filled in the same amount of time as before. This increase in efficiency is mainly due to an optimized erection process.
DS Smith’s corrugated packaging is made from recycled and recyclable materials and is especially easy to assemble.
Alexander Muhr, Managing Director of Alpine Water/Hallstein, draws a positive conclusion about the collaboration with DS Smith: “We are very satisfied with the result. DS Smith has played a key role in helping us develop a robust, sustainable, and versatile packaging solution. It protects our products and glass bottles during transport to local and international consumers. Our new transport boxes offer advantages in terms of production, cost reduction, and space savings. This has a positive impact on the entire supply chain.”
Ultimately, end consumers also benefit from the new innovative packaging solution. The Hallstein transport box can be easily folded and conveniently recycled in household waste systems. The elegantly blue-designed outer packaging highlights the Hallstein brand and underscores the premium quality of the contents. “The new transport boxes provide ample space for our branding and give the product an appealing look. This allows our customers to immediately recognize the product and its sustainability features,” adds Muhr.
Andreas Koch, Cluster Design & Innovation Manager at DS Smith, is also pleased with the outcome: “The new transport box for Hallstein underwent strict and extensive safety tests, including shipping to the USA to assess the impact of shocks and vibrations. Hallstein is globally renowned for its high-quality standards, and our challenge was to find a way to provide sustainable protection under a wide range of transport conditions. We succeeded very well in doing that.”
The new packaging solution reduces overall operating costs, increases recyclability, and ensures easier disposal for end consumers.
Hallstein is a naturally filtered, artesian premium spring water from the Austrian Alps. Alpine Water supplies customers in the USA, the European Union, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, and the Bahamas. Many international gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels rely exclusively on Hallstein as a key supplier.
DS Smith aims to lead an industry-wide transition to the circular economy while providing customers with sustainable circular solutions. The company pursues the ambitious sustainability strategy “Now. And Future.” to achieve its mission of “Redefining Packaging for a Changing World.”
(Photos © DS Smith)