Mondi successfully starts up recycled containerboard machine in Duino, Italy

ITALY – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper solutions, has successfully commenced operations at its recycled containerboard machine in Duino, Italy.

The start-up, completed on schedule, marks a significant milestone in Mondi’s expansion of its circular economy-driven packaging portfolio and demonstrates its commitment to long-term value creation through responsible investment.

Once fully ramped up, the converted machine will produce 420,000 tonnes of high-quality recycled containerboard annually, made entirely from recovered fibre.

These grades are ideal for lightweight corrugated solutions, particularly in sectors like eCommerce and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), where demand for fully recyclable and cost-efficient packaging continues to rise.

“Starting up this machine on time is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team,” says Markus Gärtner, CEO Mondi Corrugated Packaging.

“With Mondi Duino now part of our integrated value chain, we are excited to serve our customers with sustainable packaging solutions from our expanded network of six containerboard mills worldwide.”

The Duino facility now joins Mondi’s growing network of integrated mills, which includes key sites in Štětí (Czech Republic), Świecie (Poland), Ružomberok (Slovakia), Frantschach (Austria), and Penshurst (United Kingdom).

Together, these mills strengthen Mondi’s position as a leading European producer of both recycled and virgin containerboard, offering a flexible, resilient supply chain that helps customers meet their sustainability targets.

Where feasible, the Duino mill will prioritise local sourcing of raw materials, supporting the regional economy and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transport.

This approach also enhances Mondi’s security of supply, further aligning with its sustainability ambitions.

The Duino project also reflects Mondi’s strategic response to growing consumer and regulatory pressure for circular packaging solutions.

By converting the former paper machine to a recycled containerboard line, the group has not only extended the facility’s lifecycle but also created long-term opportunities for local employment and innovation in low-carbon packaging.

With Duino now operational, Mondi is better positioned than ever to deliver sustainable, high-performance packaging solutions across Europe.

Recently, the company teamed up with Evonik to launch a recyclable, ready-made paper bag for storing and transporting chemical powders—specifically fumed silica, a key ingredient used in various industrial and consumer applications.

This collaboration supports Evonik’s drive to reduce its environmental footprint, which began in 2022 with a search for more sustainable packaging alternatives.

Together with Mondi, the company developed a solution that eliminates plastic-coated layers, replacing them with a high-performance paper-based design.

The result is a two-layer kraft paper bag that is 30% lighter than the previous version. This reduction in weight, combined with full recyclability, significantly decreases the carbon impact of the packaging.

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