DS Smith delivers fiber-based protective boxes to Austrian mineral water brand Hallstein

USA – DS Smith has provided the premium Alpine Water brand Hallstein with a new fiber-based protective case designed for its glass bottles. 

According to company details, the corrugated cardboard box holds up to six 750 mL bottles in its standard form and scales up to nine, 12, 15, or 18 for larger shipments. 

This replaces the earlier polyethylene foam inlays and inserts used by Hallstein for e-commerce deliveries.

Andreas Koch, DS Smith’s cluster design and innovation manager, explained that the packaging underwent thorough safety tests, including shipments to the US to check resilience against impacts. 

He added that the main task involved developing protection suited to diverse shipping scenarios.

The design process incorporated DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics, a framework evaluating packaging across eight areas like carbon footprint and reuse potential.

Planners also applied the Total Cost of Ownership tool to calculate expenses for production, use, and upkeep. This approach ensured the box met both environmental and economic needs.

Alexander Muhr, managing director at Alpine Water, stated, “The DS team has helped us create a robust, sustainable, and versatile packaging solution to protect our product and glass bottles during transportation to local and international consumers.” 

He noted that the new boxes cut production costs, save space, and enhance supply chain efficiency. 

Muhr further pointed out the boxes’ clean appearance and ample space for branding elements like logos and artwork.

Hallstein sources its naturally filtered artesian water from the Austrian Alps and ships to markets including the US, Europe, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, and the Bahamas. 

The switch to fiber materials supports broader efforts in the sector, where global sustainable packaging reached US$375.56 billion in value this year, per a market analysis.

In related developments, DS Smith recently fitted Famifarm Oy, a Finnish producer of fresh herbs and salads, with a recyclable fiber transport box to streamline packing and unpacking.

The company also delivered its Tape Back box to Minerva, a Greek apparel firm, aiding e-commerce returns while trimming material use.

A fresh report from the 2025 Packaging Recycling Summit highlights ongoing advances in fiber solutions, such as molded fiber bottles and paper barrier coatings, which aim to balance durability with recyclability in beverage transport. 

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE