6 INDUSTRY NEWS


Member of Parliament visits DS Smith’s Kettering plant


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K-based paper and packaging manufacturer DS Smith hosted a


visit by Member of Parliament Philip Hollobone to its Kettering packaging facility in July. The visit provided Mr Hollobone with insight into the role DS Smith plays in the packaging industry and the opportunity to talk sustainable solutions with the industry experts. DS Smith employs 69 people


at its facility in Kettering, which takes in reels of paper and produces cardboard sheets to be used as boxes. As the newly announced 11th Global Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, DS Smith’s management spoke about its significant product offering, business model and sustainability agenda, focussing on packaging trends including the rise of eCommerce. This focus on sustainability


is being driven across all sites managed by the FTSE 100 listed company. Experts from DS Smith, including Kettering plant manager Graham Coles, focused on the opportunities for sustainable design with cardboard and the opportunities to substitute plastic with paper- based packaging. Mr Hollobone said: “I found


my visit to DS Smith’s Kettering site really thought-provoking. I commend DS Smith for sharing its insight into sustainable packaging solutions, its approach to the circular economy and the recycling challenges in the UK. It’s imperative now that government,


July/August 2019


Pulp Paper & Logistics


MP Philip Hollobone (right) and UK government waste representatives (above) visited DS Smith operations in May and June


local councils and businesses work together to tackle these issues head on.” Peter Clayson, DS Smith’s head


of government and community affairs, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work closely with the government in connection with resources and waste strategy that will directly impact our industry. At DS Smith we have a purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, helping communities to continue to thrive in this rapidly changing environment. By sharing our expertise with local MPs, we can inform legislation as it is created to enable a more sustainable future for consumers and the


environment.” DS Smith presented new


research to Mr Hollobone, highlighting the 1.5 million tonnes of plastic that could be replaced by fibre-based products each year from just five areas within supermarkets across Europe. The company also shared recommendations to combat the UK’s Recycling Tipping Point which will lead the UK to miss its recycling targets by more than a decade. Recommendations include the appointment of a recycling minister and prioritising


waste separation. The visit to Kettering followed


a tour of DS Smith’s Kemsley Paper Mill in May by DEFRA’s Resources & Waste Team. The mill in Kent, in south east England, reprocesses up to 30 per cent of the UK’s recycled paper and card feedstock, producing more than 825,000 tonnes a year of paper. Sales at DS Smith for the half


year to the end of April were £6.17 billion (US$7.5bn), up 12 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Pre-tax profit was up 35 per cent at £350m ($426m).


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