Smurfit Kappa opens a new laboratory for solutions ecommerce packaging certified by International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)), one of the most prominent international organizations in the development of design standards and test protocols, and which defines how packaging should be to guarantee the protection of its content. Therefore, this new facility, located in Northampton (United Kingdom), aims to help brands and producers in countries such as Spain and Portugal to develop, test and launch innovative solutions for e-commerce. ISTA certification is required by online sales platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba or eBay.
The company already has an ISTA laboratory in the Netherlands for 14 years, which has provided you with the experience and data necessary to ensure that your packaging solutions are fit for purpose and meet the challenges of the e-commerce supply chain. Smurfit Kappa was the first to achieve Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging pre-certification for its three-liter Bag-in-Box solution. An experience that thanks to this new installation is now also being extended to new markets.
Smurfit Kappa's team of experts works in this laboratory with customers to develop new packaging solutions that minimize and prevent product damage during distribution. Once this first phase is completed, the prototype designs undergo rigorous testing to ensure that the required performance standards for compression, drop and vibration are met. Tests that are necessary to obtain the ISTA certification. Once certified, these packaging solutions move on to the manufacturing phase.
Eddie fellowsCEO of Smurfit Kappa UK and Ireland, said: “Our customers need innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to meet the growing demand for online sales. The laboratory is an ideal environment to work with them in the development of new packaging in real time. Whether our clients are starting their journey in e-commerce to increase their client portfolio or because they are looking for new packaging, obtaining the ISTA certification in our laboratory allows them to clearly and quickly develop damage-resistant solutions during the supply chain. ecommerce ».
In reference to this new laboratory, Berkenbosch Arch, Vice President of Innovation and Development at Smurfit Kappa, commented: “Our network of innovation centers ensures sustainable, adaptable and scalable solutions and highlights our focus on online sales. We are committed to continuing to invest in laboratories that directly benefit our customers and provide them with a real advantage over their competitors by giving them even greater value. " This new facility expands Smurfit Kappa's network of laboratories and packaging R&D centers in Europe.
