Unveiled last week, the London-headquartered packaging giant has invested £750,000 on the laboratory to work with customers in optimising the circularity of their packaging.

The laboratory will be used for researching technologies that enhance the performance and sustainability qualities of fibre-based packaging, including coatings and barrier technology, wet-end chemistries, surface chemistries, repulpability, and recyclability.

The new laboratory also advances DS Smith’s research in alternative fibres as sustainable raw material for paper and packaging products. Last year the company said it was exploring the use of seaweed as an alternative fibre source to wood, as well as a barrier coating to replace petroleum-based coatings.

DS Smith materials development director Nick Thompson said: “Creating products that can easily support the reduction, reuse and recycling of raw materials is a core component of how we will support our customers transition to the circular economy.

“At DS Smith, we are constantly developing innovative new thinking to help our customers with this challenge and the new Fibre and Paper Development Laboratory allows us to optimise the performance and circularity of our customers’ packaging.

“Investing in research and development projects like this is a crucial way in which we will lead the way and redefine packaging for a changing world.”

DS Smith design and innovation director Alan Potts added: “The new laboratory at Kemsley Mill will play an important part in our innovation strategy.

“By exploring new technologies and raw materials, we can expand our offering of innovative circular ready packaging solutions that have less impact on the environment and support our customers’ transition to a circular economy.”