Smurfit Kappa has unveiled a new range of 'eBottle' packaging solutions for the online beverage and liquids market.
The range offers sustainable solutions for single and multi-pack products, including the Rollor bottle pack, BiPack, and Pop-up insert.
The online sales of alcoholic beverages increased by 34% in Europe due to the pandemic, driving the demand for sustainable, durable and consumer-friendly packaging that protects the product during shipment, the company added.
Commenting on the announcement, Arco Berkenbosch, VP of innovation and development at Smurfit Kappa Europe, said, "Our new eBottle product range offers beverage businesses a suite of fit-for-purpose and bespoke packaging solutions which address the key challenges for their e-commerce channel.
"The innovative range, combined with our focus on e-commerce processes, supply chain and consumer experience, have all contributed to increased sales and greater efficiencies for our customers."
Key Challenges
Key challenges for the beverage e-commerce channel include product damage, sustainability, consumer experience and the ability to accelerate growth using the right packing processes, the packaging firm added.
According to a study conducted by Smurfit Kappa, consumers continue to push for higher standards, with more than two thirds (69%) preferring paper-based packaging.
Over half (59%) of consumers want easy-to-open parcels, while 1 in 10 consumers said they would reconsider re-ordering in the case of damage during transit.
Sustainable Solutions
The new packaging range is the latest addition to its 'Better Planet Packaging' portfolio, aimed at more sustainable solutions from renewable and recyclable raw materials.
Smurfit Kappa has also introduced a flexible and unique packaging solution that accommodates all the various sized products sold by InterDrinks, an e-merchant selling more than 2,500 different types of beers and beer products.
Herwin Wichers, market development director at Smurfit Kappa, said, "The online European alcohol beverage market is worth €5.6 billion and we want to help companies take advantage of the real growth and opportunity in this segment.
"As a result of the implemented packaging and automation solution by InterDrinks, it has increased its packing and filling capacity by 66%, allowing it to fulfil more orders, faster."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
