DS Smith and Touchguard to develop virus-resistant cardboard packaging

Packaging solutions provider DS Smith has partnered with surface coating technology Touchguard to develop bacteria and virus-resistant sustainable cardboard packaging.

The company will launch the new range of packaging across its operations in Europe and North America.

DS Smith design and innovation director Alan Potts said: “Whilst it would never replace good hygiene practices and due care, this technology has the potential to bring a real and proven additional layer of protection to our customers and their consumers as packaging moves across the supply chain.

“Importantly, this technology maintains the sustainability of our products and it is 100% recyclable.”

The new patented technology will be AATCC100 (MOD), ISO18184:2019 (MOD) certified and will be used on bacteria and viruses including envelope viruses.

It has proven kill rate of 99.5% within 15 minutes on bacteria types and envelope viruses thereby removing person-to-person transfer of infections such as MRSA and E.coli.

Additionally, the technology is compliant with BfR36 recommendations for food-contact materials.

Touchguard inventor and CEO Julian Dugdale said: “Our partnership with DS Smith provides us with an opportunity to bring our patented Touchguard technology to the market at scale through its sustainable packaging offer.

“With its manufacturing reach across Europe and the US and an extensive e-commerce and fast-moving consumer goods customer base, we will be able to offer a range of solutions to support changing consumer habits.”

The new range promises to support the sustainable packaging market with potential scope across a variety of areas, including e-commerce and food packaging.