Eco‑smart boxes reduce CO₂ footprint by more than 50 tonnes for DS Smith & Carlsberg Britvic

Carlsberg Britvic has teamed up with DS Smith to transform its OTOR4 packaging into a new OTOR8 “Bag-in-Box” style. As the initial phase of the collaboration, the revised design aims to increase Carlsberg Britvic’s supply chain strategy’s sustainability and efficiency.

With the new “Bag in Box” design, which has an updated eight-sided shape that increases robustness, an average of 25% more boxes may be loaded onto each pallet. This optimisation lowers the quantity of pallets and trucks needed each year for the 115-mile trip between the national distribution centre in Lutterworth and Carlsberg Britvic’s manufacturing facility in Leeds.

As well as contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions, the upgraded packaging provides further efficiency in the supply chain by optimising warehouse storage space, reducing the risk of leakage, and improving stability through its vertical design.

The launch of the new design is part of DS Smith’s wider partnership with Carlsberg Britvic to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its supply chain and packaging.

Carlsberg Britvic has long been committed to carbon reduction, with 75% of the grid electricity used to make its soft drinks in the UK coming from solar panels, and more than £9 million invested in carbon cutting technology at its soft drinks factories in the past three years.

Liz Manuvelpillai, sales, marketing, and innovation director, DS Smith, noted that at a time when efficiency and sustainability remain front of mind for customers, the company is “thrilled” to have delivered an effective packaging solution in collaboration with Carlsberg Britvic.

“Our innovation will see fewer consignment vehicles on the road, lower transport emissions, and contribute to supply chain efficiency,” Manuvelpillai said. “Innovation, and sustainability are at the heart of what we do as a company and this is the first stage of the innovative ‘Bag in Box’ project as we support Carlsberg Britvic on their sustainability journey.”

Tom Fiennes, sustainability director at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “Every year Carlsberg Britvic produces more than 25 million litres of soft drinks to be served on dispense in pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants – and we couldn’t do this without high-quality, innovative packaging. The new OTOR8 bag in box from DS Smith means sturdier packaging for our customers, reduced storage space for everyone and, from Pepsi MAX and 7UP to Tango and R. White’s lemonade, reduced carbon emissions– another milestone in Carlsberg Britvic’s journey to net zero carbon emissions.”