Can Packaging Help Carlsberg Britvic Cut Carbon Emissions?

DS Smith has partnered with beverage industry leader Carlsberg Britvic to upgrade its packaging operations, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability throughout the supply chain.

This strategic collaboration aims to reshape Carlsberg Britvic's supply chain towards circularity and carbon footprint reduction.

A groundbreaking alliance

Carlsberg Britvic, a market leader in the UK's beverage sector, supplies some of the most beloved soft drinks and beers.

After the acquisition of Britvic by Danish multinational brewer Carlsberg, the company's portfolio burgeoned with popular brands like Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, Hobgoblin, J2O, Robinsons and Tango, among others.

With over 4,000 employees integrated into the Carlsberg Group, the company's operational dynamics transformed significantly.

Continuing its evolution, Carlsberg Britvic is now enhancing its supply chain by collaborating with DS Smith, a leading provider of sustainable, fibre-based packaging solutions.

DS Smith plays a crucial role in supporting value chains across e-commerce, food and beverage, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors with sustainable circular solutions, driving the transition to a circular economy.

Carlsberg, Britvic and DS Smith's partnership will contribute to enhanced sustainability and streamline supply chain efficiency.

Optimising supply chain efficiency

The alignment with DS Smith introduces a new OTOR8 'Bag-in-Box' packaging design for Carlsberg Britvic products, advancing from the previous OTOR4 model.

The new packaging features an innovative 8-sided shape, engineered with higher strength materials, offering greater durability.

This redesign results in a significant reduction in packaging weight, with an observed 18.7% reduction from the original OTOR4 and a 10.5% reduction in the new 12-litre packaging.

These weight savings simplify handling and transport, improving safety and efficiency for warehouse workers.

The reduced packaging weight enables the transportation of 25% more boxes per pallet, thus requiring fewer pallets and lorries, while also saving time during loading and securing processes.

This translates to enhanced efficiency in both workforce operations and transportation logistics.

Tom Fiennes, Sustainability Director at Carlsberg Britvic, says: “Every year Carlsberg Britvic produces more than 25 million litres of soft drinks to be served on dispense in pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants – and we couldn’t do this without high-quality, innovative packaging.

"The new OTOR8 bag in box from DS Smith means sturdier packaging for our customers, reduced storage space for everyone and, from Pepsi MAX™ and 7UP to Tango and R. White’s lemonade, reduced carbon emissions– another milestone in Carlsberg Britvic’s journey to net zero carbon emissions.”

Warehouse operatives benefit greatly from this packaging update, with improved efficiency throughout the supply chain.

The vertical design allows for more stable and cohesive storage, whilst significantly mitigating leakage risks, helping to maintain product quality.

Emphasising sustainability

This packaging initiative is pivotal in aligning with Carlsberg Britvic's commitment to sustainability. By reducing the number of pallets and vehicles needed, the environmental impact diminishes substantially.

The 115-mile route between the Carlsberg Britvic manufacturing site in Leeds and the national distribution centre in Lutterworth will witness a reduction in CO₂ emissions exceeding 50 tonnes annually due to optimised transport routes and reduced packaging weight.

DS Smith's packaging strategy forges a path towards circularity with a focus on:

• Designing for reuse
• Optimising supply chains
• Ensuring recyclability
• Adhering to environmental safety
• Maximising material utilisation
• Utilising renewable resources
• Incorporating recycled content
• Lowering carbon footprint

Liz Manuvelpillai, Sales, Marketing, and Innovation Director at DS Smith, adds: “At a time when efficiency and sustainability remain front of mind for our customers, we’re thrilled to have delivered an effective packaging solution in collaboration with Carlsberg Britvic.

"Our innovation will see fewer consignment vehicles on the road, lower transport emissions and contribute to supply chain efficiency. Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of what we do as a company and this is the first stage of the innovative ‘Bag in Box’ project as we support Carlsberg Britvic on their sustainability journey.”

Carlsberg Britvic already embeds sustainability into its operations with a strong focus on carbon reduction, sourcing 75% of its UK grid electricity from solar energy, and investing over £9 million in carbon-cutting technologies over three years.

This new partnership marks a step further in establishing efficient, sustainable practices across its supply chain.