DS Smith Opens New R&D and Innovation Center

DS Smith announced the opening of R8, its global Research & Development and Innovation Centre. The new facility will enable DS Smith to accelerate the research and development of new and established packaging solutions for its customers and business partners. The R8 facility, located near Birmingham in the United Kingdom, comprises a 4,000 m2 pilot hall, four laboratories, conditioning rooms, an ideas and design studio, prototyping areas and collaboration spaces. In addition to housing DS Smith's Group Innovation and R&D teams, the facility aims to lead research in manufacturing, maximize the growing demand for sustainable packaging and the innovation required to deliver it. Stefano Rossi, Chief Executive Officer of DS Smith Packaging Division, said "Among our customers are some of the world's most iconic brands, which is why innovation and sustainability rank high on their agendas. R8 will facilitate the collaboration necessary to solve a range of challenges encompassing some of the sector's biggest issues." With the launch of R8, DS Smith has created a collaborative space that enables the entire innovation spectrum under one roof, from early-stage technology and materials development, ideas and concept development, testing and product development through to prototyping and customer pilots. Projects will be guided by sustainability, supply chains and data-driven fundamental industry factors. Areas to be researched include smart packaging for supply chain tracking and monitoring, alternative natural resources in papermaking, reusable fibre-based packaging and technologies, and advanced barrier technology for food and industrial applications. Among the cutting-edge technologies at R8 is a modular Pilot Hat inspired by the automotive industry and developed in Italy, which uses robots to make boxes from multiple components and fill them at high speed. Source