DS Smith recently announced the launch of our global Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation Centre, ‘R8’. The new facility is an industry-first and allows the company, its customers, and partners to accelerate the research and development of radically new packaging fulfillment solutions.
Located near Birmingham in the UK, the R8 facility includes a 4,000m2 pilot hall, four laboratories, conditioning chambers, an ideation and design studio, prototyping areas, and collaboration spaces. As well as being the home of our Group Innovation and R&D teams, it is intended to spearhead research in manufacturing, maximising on the growing demand for sustainable packaging, and the innovation needed to deliver it.
“Our customers are some of the world’s most iconic brands, so innovation and sustainability are high on their agenda. The R8 will facilitate the collaboration that we know is needed to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges”, says Stefano Rossi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Packaging Division, DS Smith.