DS Smith, an International Paper company and leading global supplier of sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions, has announced its commitment to an ambitious low-carbon production target for its facilities in France.

The company has committed to measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint of 16 French cardboard mills by the end of 2025, with a clear decarbonization strategy to implement emissions reduction. The stated aim is to implement a decarbonization program in France in line with the French government's National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), and to meet regulatory requirements and the expectations of stakeholders, focus groups and customers.

DS Smith has teamed up with Be-low, a consulting and strategy firm able to follow the "Bilan Carbone" methodology developed by Ademe (the French Environment Agency) to quantify and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of companies, products or individuals.

Begun at three sites, the project will be extended. The results obtained have been used to build a decarbonization trajectory and an action plan on a national scale.

"The collaboration between DS Smith and Be-low is an example of successful cooperation between a major corporation and an SME with cutting-edge expertise in the climate field. Combining the resources of a leading sector company with the expertise of a recognized specialist consultancy will result in concrete advances, and the aim of this collaboration is to lay the foundations for an ongoing and future relationship."said Hugo Hans, CEO and founder of Be-low.

Industry Pact" program coordinator

DS Smith is also accelerating its energy transition with the help of Smart Montagne, an energy and carbon consultancy that supports manufacturers and local authorities in their energy and carbon transition projects. Two sites are currently in the pilot phase of a Pacte Industrie program implemented jointly by Atee (Association Technique Energie Environnement) and Ademe. Pacte Industrie* is a program designed to help industrial companies make the transition to a low-carbon economy.

There are several strategic plans to be implemented in the field of energy efficiency (already underway with ISO 50001), in-depth analyses, an energy performance inventory and a focus on reducing carbon impacts, as well as pure decarbonization projects, including solar power and heat generation from electricity. Emphasis is also placed on reducing emissions within the supply and value chain, and on improving ways of working with customers and suppliers.

"This initiative is linked to DS Smith's goals of reducing CO2 emissions by 46 % by 2030, and achieving Net Zero by 2050. It is therefore part of a wider movement to move the packaging sector towards a circular economy and, as a company, we have underlined our commitments in our Now and Next sustainability strategy and in our raison d'être 'Rethinking packaging for a changing world'. We are delighted that these improvements are now well underway."said Thibault Laumonier, CEO of DS Smith Packaging France.

_{*Pacte Industrie is a CEE (Certificats d'économies d'énergie) program with a budget of 49 million euros over three years. Its aim is to initiate a change in industrial commitment to decarbonization.}

_{Photo taken from the DS Smtih website.}

Korus Packaging, the Verpack group's Bordeaux plant, has been awarded the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, becoming the first of the group's sites to benefit from the government label set up to distinguish "French craft and industrial companies with rare and exceptional know-how."

Specifically built for its industrial purpose, the Verpack Bordeaux site specializes in the design and production of folding cartons and the printing of covers for assembled boxes. Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment, it stands out for its printing, gilding, embossing and die-cutting operations.

This recognition validates the group's commitment to unique know-how based on the mastery of traditional or highly technical techniques. "For the group, this EPV label represents much more than a distinction; it is the recognition of unique know-how that our teams preserve and pass on, and that no traditional training program teaches," says the company.

The label was awarded under the authority of the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and the region's prefect, Étienne Guyot. To date, only 1000 companies have been awarded this label. In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Korus Packaging becomes the second company in its sector to obtain the label.

From inheritance to transmission

The term "heritage" refers to notions of inheritance and transmission. This is not unrelated to the Verpack Group's strong commitment to human resources, the development of people within the company and the transmission of knowledge. Through its local presence, the company is involved in targeted recruitment, assiduous training and experience-sharing with its peers.

"This label is a wonderful recognition for all our teams, who work with passion every day, and a strong encouragement to continue to pass on our skills and perform, while remaining faithful to our identity."points out Géraldine Delaval, Q-RSE Manager for the Verpack Group.