Smurfit Kappa to expand Design2Market Factory in Europe after a successful first year
Smurfit Kappa’s Design2Market Factory will be expanding across Europe after a successful first
year in operation.
The facility, which enables customers to test and adapt their packaging on a small scale before market launch, will be replicated across Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK.
The 3,000m2 original innovation hub in the Netherlands has been home to over 50 successful
projects for some of the world’s biggest consumer brands.
Smurfit Kappa’s multi-disciplinary team takes a packaging challenge and designs a new solution which is ready to be tested in the market in just two weeks. In addition to reducing risk and turnaround time, Design2Market Factory provides customers with a sustainable packaging footprint and supports their recyclability targets.
The user-driven prototypes are designed in collaboration with customers combining creativity,
technical expertise and advanced AI models to address specific needs. So far, the team has
created, analysed and launched on the market many solutions including shelf-ready
packaging for detergent, a paper-based replacement for shrink wrap and a complete range of
eCommerce solutions. Design2Market Factory also creates packaging solutions that meet
Amazon’s certification standards.
Arco Berkenbosch, Smurfit Kappa’s chief innovation officer, said he is thrilled to have reached this milestone.
“The journey of the Design2Market Factory has been remarkable and the trust placed in us by many industry-leading household names is testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence at speed,” Berkenbosch explained. “Broadening our European footprint will help more customers to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape and achieve their sustainability goals in line with our Better Planet Packaging initiative.”
