Mondi cuts Stiebel Eltron packaging variants by over 75%

AUSTRIA – Mondi has revised packaging for Stiebel Eltron’s water heater products, reducing corrugated board grades by more than 75 percent while maintaining product protection across worldwide shipments.

The change applies to packaging for instantaneous water heaters and small storage units shipped to markets globally. 

Approximately 150 corrugated packaging versions were used previously, a level of variation that added complexity to procurement, manufacturing and logistics while making the range difficult to manage consistently. 

Reducing variant counts simplifies ordering, reduces inventory carrying costs and lowers the risk of mismatched packaging reaching production lines or distribution centres.

Digital Printing Enables Flexibility Without Set-Up Costs

The packaging revision took place alongside a redesign of the boxes. Mondi said it began with a detailed review of existing corrugated formats and selected the brown corrugated board grade considered most suitable for each product group. 

White digital printing was then added to support the new design, making it possible to produce different pack designs and print quantities without extra set-up while allowing several variants to be combined in a single production run. 

The method delivers accurate reproduction of small details including small text, QR codes and barcodes on brown corrugated board, in line with updated packaging design requirements.

Scalable Basis Supports Future Product Launches

Adam Fros, head of product development building services at Stiebel Eltron, said that by supporting the company through every phase of the packaging redesign, Mondi delivered a holistic concept helping reduce complexity and improve efficiency through a streamlined approach. 

He added that white digital printing gave Stiebel Eltron flexibility to adapt designs quickly, providing a scalable basis for future product launches. 

This matters for manufacturers with evolving product lines, since packaging changes can otherwise require new tooling, plates or print runs that delay market entry.

Simplification Reflects Broader Packaging Efficiency Trend

Last month, FIXIT GRUPPE streamlined its paper bag packaging across European markets through a project with Mondi, reducing related greenhouse gas emissions by 135 tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to the prior year. 

Both projects illustrate how reducing packaging SKUs can deliver operational and environmental gains simultaneously, as fewer variants mean less material waste, lower transport volumes and simpler recycling streams. 

For industrial manufacturers shipping durable goods, corrugated packaging optimisation often represents a practical route to cost reduction without compromising protection requirements during distribution.

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