DS Smith has partnered with Romanian agricultural cooperative Serele SupeR to replace ten million single-use plastic packages with fibre-based corrugated cardboard solutions for fresh tomato products. The project was implemented following an assessment of existing plastic packaging formats and resulted in the development of four recyclable corrugated punnets designed for different cherry tomato varieties.
The new packaging is manufactured from 100% renewable, FSC-certified fibre-based materials and is fully recyclable at end of life. According to the companies, the punnets are faster and easier to pack on production lines and have been designed to reduce unused space while maintaining product protection. An angled corner design allows the packaging to accommodate tomato varieties with different dimensional requirements. The punnets are wrapped in a recyclable flexible film to support shelf presentation in retail environments.
Serele SupeR reported several outcomes during a three-year trial period. These include the elimination of ten million plastic trays, a reported 46% reduction in carbon emissions compared with PET packaging, and material consumption optimisation of up to 21% without compromising product protection. The companies also reported improved logistical efficiency aligned with modern retail requirements.
The packaging was developed using DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics tool, which evaluates sustainability performance across indicators including carbon footprint, reuse, supply chain optimisation, recyclability, material utilisation, and recycled content.
Christian Schmidt, Managing Director of DS Smith Packaging Romania, said the partnership demonstrated how circular design could reduce plastic use and emissions while supporting customers’ sustainability objectives. He added that the project could encourage wider adoption of fibre-based packaging within Romania’s horticultural sector.
Silvia Răileanu, founder of Serele SupeR, said the transition represented a strategic decision to reduce environmental impact while meeting consumer and retailer expectations. She added that sustainability principles had been integrated across the company’s supply chain to build long-term value over time.