The developments in the field of solid cardboard are coming as quick as lightning. The cardboard packaging serves as a marketing tool increasingly more often. Moreover, because of its material it’s a sustainable product.
Last year, Smart Packaging Solutions fortified its position on the market with the takeover of SolidPack in Loenen, the Netherlands. Because of this, the producer of solid cardboard packaging increased its capacity from 85,000 tonnes to 160,000 tonnes. “We are now one of the market leaders in solid cardboard in Europe. It’s also worth mentioning that we now have two raw material machines at our disposal for producing solid cardboard sheets. Before the takeover, we only had a laminator; we now also have an inline cardboard machine. This means we can spread our risks even more and that we can offer all qualities. Thanks to our vertical integration, we control everything, and are therefore a stable partner for our customers. We’re not just a producer of boxes, but we’re specialised in developing packaging solutions.”
Smart Packaging Solutions are part of VPK Packaging Group, a producer of cardboard packaging and recycled paper. The company supplies a lot to the food industry, where circulation speed is of the utmost importance. “We can respond to this even quicker now, and we can supply within 24 hours, which is an additional plus on this volatile market.” Johan says packaging is sent all over the world to 25 different countries. “The Netherlands and Belgium are number one by far, but we export to overseas countries more and more.”
Box as a marketing tool
The attention paid to combating the mountain of plastic rubbish is definitely in their favour. Solid cardboard is a very sustainable product. The product is completely recyclable, and besides, it offers advantages in the field of logistics and food safety. “Compared to corrugated cardboard, for example, solid cardboard offers more printing options and it’s much firmer in humid circumstances. Solid cardboard is the ideal product when agricultural products are cooled for some days in a cold store and are then transported across a certain logistical route.”
Johan says the solid cardboard box is used as a marketing tool increasingly often. Smart Packaging Solutions invested in, among other things, a Heidelberg machine to print full-colour photo prints. “The packaging becomes even more multifunctional because of this. It becomes a communication tool, which is to the benefit of the product’s presentation, and which customers can use to be more distinctive. That way, the packaging really has added value.” The production of solid cardboard in itself also remains in development. For example, the company’s looking into improving the paper fibres so that less pulp is needed. “That way, less cardboard would be necessary, and that would be beneficial to the environment. Besides, we work together with the customer increasingly often to look at their cooling, palletising and transporting processes. Based on this, we produce the most suitable box. Nowadays it’s about much more than just the box. Each project is unique and offers a number of opportunities.”
Motivating younger generations
For the coming years, it’s of the utmost importance for Smart Packaging Solutions to continue meeting rapidly changing requirements and needs. Johan: “Everything has to be quicker all the time and requirements are becoming stricter. We look at the requirements and tomorrow’s evolution with our customers. Another aspect that has our attention, is motivating young people to get started in our trade.
Cardboard might not be the sexiest product for young people, but once you get to know the product and all its challenges, it’s an incredibly interesting trade.There are a number of challenges young people can apply their knowledge and enthusiasm to. Moreover, it’s important to us as an employer to understand the needs and wishes of young workers.
Furthermore, sustainability continues to be an important topic. We’re already heading in the right direction, but more is possible. We have to make the final consumer more aware of it. I’m fully engaged to fight the great Pacific garbage patch in our oceans. It’s our duty to fight this mountain of rubbish, and to stop it from growing. If our consumers become fully dedicated to a sustainable product and stop buying environmentally unfriendly products, we’d have taken an enormous step.”
More information:
Smart Packaging Solutions
Johan De Neef