International Paper company DS Smith will invest up to DKr100m ($15.5m) to modernise its packaging operations in Grenaa, Denmark.

The move seeks to increase the site’s production capacity and efficiency, targeting improved service for customers in northern Europe.

The company plans to install a new rotary die-cutting line with flexographic printing capabilities.

This machinery includes five printing units and a Göpfert Rotary Die Cutter 16/28 High Board Line, featuring technology aimed at greater precision, efficient material handling, and reduced waste during corrugated board conversion.

With the new equipment, DS Smith expects its Grenaa facility to handle up to an additional 15 million square metres of corrugated board annually.

The enhancements are also designed to support complex packaging requirements and adapt to changes in product types with shorter transition times.

In addition to the developments in Denmark, DS Smith will expand its Bredasten site in Värnamo, Sweden, by 3,000m².

Set for completion by June 2027, the phased upgrade includes relocating warehouse operations from Malmö.

DS Smith Denmark sales director Kristian Eriksen said: “We see a clear trend where an increasing number of customers are automating their packing and logistics processes.

"This places significantly higher demands on consistent quality and precision in packaging. With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to deliver solutions that perform seamlessly in our customers’ automated flows – both for today and in the future.” 

This January, DS Smith worked with Raymarine to design packaging for radar products using fibre-based corrugated cardboard, replacing expanded polyethylene foam and removing single-use plastic from the packaging process.