Latest news with #DSSmith
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These are the 'over packaged' plastic items shoppers are turning against
Shoppers are turning against 'over packaged' supermarket products shrouded in plastic - and avoiding products that come wrapped in needless packaging. More than a third of British shoppers (39%) have chosen not to buy products over unsustainable packaging, according to research by sustainability consultancy Aura. Around 80% of shoppers now believe that there is too much packaging in supermarkets, the survey found. Gillian Garside-Wight, director of consulting at Aura said, 'Packaging is the new pressure point for brands and retailers. It's become a visible test of their environmental credibility, and if they're willing to accept the costs of positive change. Consumers are clearly making decisions based on whether businesses are serious about sustainability,' said. 'It's no longer just about what's inside the package - it's the packaging itself. We're entering a phase where consumer loyalty can be won or lost through trust." But Yahoo News spoke to a recycling expert who said that supermarkets are still failing to make simple steps that could reduce the amount of plastic we use, and build on the success of the plastic bag ban. So what are the packaging items that British people dislike? A separate survey by DS Smith found that 70% of grocery items come plastic-wrapped and half of this could be removed. Research by DS Smith has shown that people would prefer to get fruit in paper bags to plastic punnets (with just 5% comfortable with plastic punnets). Other packaging irritations include meat packaging that has a corner to peel but is extremely difficult to open. Fruit and vegetables that come wrapped in excessive amounts of packaging is another bugbear for British shoppers, alongside packaging that is impossible to open without scissors or a knife. Laundry pods, eggs packaged in plastic and bakery items in plastic also irritate British shoppers, the research from DS Smith found. It's natural that consumers are starting to demand more sustainable packaging, says recycling expert Rachel Watkyn, CEO of Tiny Box Company. But supermarkets are struggling to keep up and not delivering the simple improvements needed to make customers switch from plastic, Watkyn warns. 'For 'dry goods' like fruit, veg, and bread, however, plastic is often unnecessary. Cardboard punnets and paper, corn-starch compostable, or reusable bags can be perfectly suitable. The problem? Supermarkets need to make pricing clearer for loose goods—so shoppers aren't forced to do mental math before printing that dreaded label. 'In 2022, only 19.4% of fresh fruit and vegetables were sold loose - falling short of the UK Plastics Pact target of 30% by 2025. Even though many supermarkets now offer loose options, how many consumers truly "vote with their pound"? If shoppers were consistently choosing unwrapped produce, supermarkets would gladly fill their shelves with more. 'Unfortunately, the current system discourages it. You often have to queue to weigh your loose items, figure out the right option on the digital scales, and then attach the printed label—usually to a plastic bag, ironically defeating the point. 'And don't even get consumers started on eggs in plastic packaging. There's simply no excuse. Cardboard, which can be recycled 4–6 times before the fibres become too short, is ideal for egg boxes—particularly at its 4th or 5th use. If an egg is going to break in transit, a plastic box won't prevent the gooey mess anyway. It's one of the most frustrating and avoidable forms of packaging waste. Why do supermarkets still use plastic packaging? Supermarkets ARE taking steps to reduce plastic packaging, with organisations signing up to the Plastics Pact to reduce packaging. But supermarkets argue that there is a balance to be struck as plastic packaging helps to extend shelf life of food and prevent food waste. For example, using film to wrap a cucumber extends its life in-store from three days to 14 days, and packaging grapes in plastic boxes cuts in-store wastage by 20%. "Packaging plays an important role, acting as a safety barrier against contamination and increasing the shelf life of many food products, reducing food waste," Naomi Brandon-Bravo, sustainability adviser at the British Retail Consortium, told Yahoo News. "Retailers are committed to reducing unnecessary and single-use plastic packaging, and have worked together across the UK to eliminate problem plastics and increase recycling, as demonstrated in the Plastics Pact, an initiative endorsed by the four UK governments." Are there any other schemes in Britain to boost recycling? A new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles, with pickup points at supermarkets. British people will be paid to recycle plastic and metal bottles and cans under a new bottle-return scheme set to come into force in 2027. Members of the public pay a deposit on drinks bottles, which is then refunded when bottles are turned in for recycling. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The Government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling. Having one rule nationwide means it's easier to collect, process and recycle many different plastics.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DS Smith unveils cardboard trays for automotive headlights
DS Smith Tecnicarton has introduced cardboard trays for automotive headlights, aimed at replacing conventional expanded polypropylene (EPP) solutions. The new DS Smith Tecnicarton Corrugated Cardboard Trays are specifically designed for the secure transport of the headlights. These trays are made entirely from corrugated cardboard and feature a double fingerprint die-cut design. This allows for the safe positioning of both lightweight and heavy headlights, ensuring they are securely held in place to prevent damage during transit or storage. The design also allows for efficient stacking, optimising storage capabilities. Additionally, the trays can be integrated into larger packaging systems, accommodating a higher number of products when required. The new trays are intended to act as an alternative to returnable plastic packaging in cases of emergency or disruptions in the supply chain, which may arise from vehicle issues, software problems, or unexpected global events. DS Smith Tecnicarton focuses on developing packaging solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, with an emphasis on single-use and, where appropriate, returnable options to enhance logistics and supply chain processes for sensitive and bulky items manufacturers DS Smith Tecnicartion commercial director Antonio Cebrián said: 'Our Tecnicarton Corrugated Cardboard Trays can be manufactured quickly and with the same requirements and protection conditions as their traditional plastic counterpart. 'We offer our customers a flexible and economic packaging solution with a low tooling cost and the product is available for use in transportation and logistics operations worldwide for customers in the automotive sector. 'We are committed to helping our customers in reaching their sustainability and circular economy targets.' "DS Smith unveils cardboard trays for automotive headlights" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
International Paper finalises European plant divestiture
International Paper has completed divestiture of five European plants to PALM Group. This strategic move comes as part of the regulatory commitments following International Paper's acquisition of DS Smith. With this sale, which encompasses facilities in France, Portugal, and Spain, International Paper has fulfilled all its commitments to the European Commission concerning the DS Smith acquisition, the company said. The divestiture includes three plants located in Normandy, France, namely a box plant in Saint-Amand, another in Mortagne, and a sheet plant in Cabourg. Additionally, the sale comprises one box plant in Ovar, Portugal, and another in Bilbao, Spain. International Paper, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, US, and with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa headquarters in London, UK, employs over 65,000 people worldwide. The company's operations span more than 30 countries, and it reported net sales of $18.6bn in 2024. PALM is a European producer of containerboard, graphic paper, and corrugated packaging. With the addition of these five plants, PALM now operates 33 corrugated box plants across Europe. The company's 4,200 employees generated a turnover of €2bn ($2.36bn) in 2024, emphasising their commitment to high-quality products, reliable service, and sustainable production. The company has revealed strategic changes to its North American operations. The move will impact approximately 110 hourly and 24 salaried employees in the US. "International Paper finalises European plant divestiture" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 5 Most Interesting Analyst Questions From International Paper's Q1 Earnings Call
International Paper's first quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, as the company's sales growth was offset by earnings that came in well below Wall Street expectations. Management attributed the quarter's performance to the addition of the DS Smith business, price increases in North America, and early benefits from transformation efforts, but also acknowledged a challenging demand environment and the impact of non-recurring items. CEO Andy Silvernail described the period as 'a relatively low quality number in the first quarter,' pointing to softer-than-anticipated market demand and ongoing economic uncertainty. Is now the time to buy IP? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $5.9 billion vs analyst estimates of $5.99 billion (27.8% year-on-year growth, 1.5% miss) Adjusted EPS: $0.23 vs analyst expectations of $0.37 (38% miss) Operating Margin: -0.6%, down from 2.7% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $24.59 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Phil Ng (Jefferies) asked about the demand assumptions behind full-year EBITDA targets and how order patterns are shaping up. CEO Andy Silvernail said stable demand would support targets but any further weakness would require additional cost actions. Ng (Jefferies) also questioned potential tariff impacts on the pulp and containerboard businesses. Silvernail explained that direct tariff exposure is limited, with most risk coming from second-order effects on demand and price. Mike Roxland (Truist Securities) asked for more detail on share gains among local customers and the impact of service improvements. Silvernail credited targeted investments, hiring, and higher service levels for progress, especially with mid-sized accounts. Mark Weintraub (Seaport Research Partners) inquired about the earnings ramp from first to second half and whether price realization in North America and Europe is fully reflected. Silvernail confirmed that first price hikes are included, while a second round in Europe is not yet certain due to market softness. George Staphos (Bank of America) probed whether focusing on value over volume could put volume recovery at risk in a weaker environment. Silvernail responded that the current strategy balances margin and volume, with flexibility to accelerate cost actions if needed. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace and effectiveness of DS Smith integration and synergy capture, (2) progress in cost-out initiatives and mill optimization, and (3) realization of price increases in both North America and Europe. Additional attention will be paid to signs of demand stabilization or further volatility, as well as ongoing strategic options for the Global Cellulose Fiber business. International Paper currently trades at $46.59, down from $47.61 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error al recuperar los datos Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unite opposes DS Smith's Derbyshire packaging factory closure
UK's trade union Unite is opposing the proposed closure of DS Smith's packaging factory in Derbyshire as consultations commence. The factory in question is the Clay Cross site, which has nearly 140 jobs at risk. DS Smith, a supplier of retail packaging in the UK, was recently subject to a £5.8bn takeover by Memphis-based International Paper. The new management is reportedly planning to restructure UK operations, potentially closing five sites by the end of 2025. The planned closures could affect around 300 roles, raising concerns among workers and their families. Unite represents the engineers at the Clay Cross site, which has been a significant employer in the local community for generations. Despite International Paper's assurances during the acquisition process that they would not close UK plants, these proposed closures have emerged. Earlier in 2025, the company reported increased sales and earnings, largely attributed to the DS Smith acquisition. The Clay Cross site has been recognised for its operational success and health and safety, making it one of DS Smith's highest performing locations in the UK. The decision to consider this site for closure is reportedly linked to required infrastructure investments, particularly a new roof. This recommendation for a roof replacement stemmed from a visual inspection conducted in 2021. However, the site team has been managing the roof for several years and is not currently requesting its replacement. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers who were given assurances that their jobs would be safe now face paying the price for a profitable company's greed. It is an utter disgrace that International Paper is playing fast and loose with workers' livelihoods. "Unite is prepared to fight every step of the way to protect our hardworking members' jobs at Clay Cross." "Unite opposes DS Smith's Derbyshire packaging factory closure" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
