DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions, and Alpine Water Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft m.b.H., announce their recently innovated packaging solution for the artesian mineral water brand, Hallstein.

The new transport box has been designed to protect Hallstein’s glass bottle consignments during transportation to e-commerce customers, and comprised of corrugated cardboard, they are intended to replace the brand’s previous packaging solution, which was dependant on Polyethylene, a closed cell foam, also referred to as a PE foam for inlay and inserts.

Each individual DS Smith transport box has a capacity to hold six 750ml glass mineral water bottles, and where required, the packaging capacity can be flexibly increased and combined with outer casing in a variety of sizes to hold up to nine, twelve, fifteen, or eighteen additional bottles.

Circular Design Metrics (CDM)

The DS Smith design team applied their unique and industry-first Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to rate and compare the circularity of the old and new packaging design across eight different categories, ranging from carbon footprint and design for reuse, to supply chain optimisation, materials utilisation, and recyclability.

The CDM indicators were used in conjunction with the DS Smith TCO Pack – Lower Cost – Value Tool, to understand and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the packaging solution, and the costs associated with owning, using, and maintaining the product, alongside its full lifecycle benefits.

Life-cycle efficiency

As a part of their research, the design team discovered that twice as many Hallstein transport boxes can be constructed and packed on the production line within the same time-period as the previous packaging solution. In addition, the new packaging has been found to be fast and easy to construct with pre-glued elements,

Alexander Muhr, Managing Director, Alpine Water Gmbh/Hallstein:

“We are delighted with the result of our collaboration with DS Smith. Their expert team has helped us to create a robust, sustainable, and versatile packaging solution to protect our product and glass bottles during transportation to local and international consumers. Our new transport boxes are demonstrating production, cost reduction, and space saving benefits, with positive impacts on the entire supply chain. They also look great and feature our recognisable branding on their outer casing, making it easy for our customers to identify with the product and sustainability credentials.”

The transport box design is also simple for the end-consumer to access, and fold away or, recycle within domestic schemes, and the external surface area is ideal for placing brand logo, artwork, or graphics with the current casements displaying bold flexographic printing in the Alpine Water GmbH blue.

Andreas Koch, Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, DS Smith:

“Our packaging solution for Hallstein was subjected to rigorous and extensive safety testing and this included sending shipment consignments to the USA to evaluate the impact of knocks and bumps. Hallstein is known for its premium mineral water product in glass bottles and our challenge was to find a way to provide a sustainable protection for as wide a range of transit conditions as possible. We are committed to supporting our customers in finding fibre-based packaging solutions and in helping them to move towards the circular economy.”

Hallstein is a naturally filtered and premium artesian water that is sourced and bottled directly from the Austrian Alps. The company transports its products to e-commerce customers in the USA, Europe, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, and the Bahamas. Many international gourmet restaurants and upmarket hotels rely exclusively on Hallstein as a key supplier.

DS Smith is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for its customers across thirty-four countries worldwide. The business has a target led Now and Next sustainability strategy in support of its purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World.DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions, and Alpine Water Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft m.b.H., announce their recently innovated packaging solution for the artesian mineral water brand, Hallstein.

The new transport box has been designed to protect Hallstein’s glass bottle consignments during transportation to e-commerce customers, and comprised of corrugated cardboard, they are intended to replace the brand’s previous packaging solution, which was dependant on Polyethylene, a closed cell foam, also referred to as a PE foam for inlay and inserts.

Each individual DS Smith transport box has a capacity to hold six 750ml glass mineral water bottles, and where required, the packaging capacity can be flexibly increased and combined with outer casing in a variety of sizes to hold up to nine, twelve, fifteen, or eighteen additional bottles.

Circular Design Metrics (CDM)

The DS Smith design team applied their unique and industry-first Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to rate and compare the circularity of the old and new packaging design across eight different categories, ranging from carbon footprint and design for reuse, to supply chain optimisation, materials utilisation, and recyclability.

The CDM indicators were used in conjunction with the DS Smith TCO Pack – Lower Cost – Value Tool, to understand and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the packaging solution, and the costs associated with owning, using, and maintaining the product, alongside its full lifecycle benefits.

Life-cycle efficiency

As a part of their research, the design team discovered that twice as many Hallstein transport boxes can be constructed and packed on the production line within the same time-period as the previous packaging solution. In addition, the new packaging has been found to be fast and easy to construct with pre-glued elements,

Alexander Muhr, Managing Director, Alpine Water Gmbh/Hallstein:

“We are delighted with the result of our collaboration with DS Smith. Their expert team has helped us to create a robust, sustainable, and versatile packaging solution to protect our product and glass bottles during transportation to local and international consumers. Our new transport boxes are demonstrating production, cost reduction, and space saving benefits, with positive impacts on the entire supply chain. They also look great and feature our recognisable branding on their outer casing, making it easy for our customers to identify with the product and sustainability credentials.”

The transport box design is also simple for the end-consumer to access, and fold away or, recycle within domestic schemes, and the external surface area is ideal for placing brand logo, artwork, or graphics with the current casements displaying bold flexographic printing in the Alpine Water GmbH blue.

Andreas Koch, Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, DS Smith:

“Our packaging solution for Hallstein was subjected to rigorous and extensive safety testing and this included sending shipment consignments to the USA to evaluate the impact of knocks and bumps. Hallstein is known for its premium mineral water product in glass bottles and our challenge was to find a way to provide a sustainable protection for as wide a range of transit conditions as possible. We are committed to supporting our customers in finding fibre-based packaging solutions and in helping them to move towards the circular economy.”

Hallstein is a naturally filtered and premium artesian water that is sourced and bottled directly from the Austrian Alps. The company transports its products to e-commerce customers in the USA, Europe, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, and the Bahamas. Many international gourmet restaurants and upmarket hotels rely exclusively on Hallstein as a key supplier.

DS Smith is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for its customers across thirty-four countries worldwide. The business has a target led Now and Next sustainability strategy in support of its purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World.

For further information, interviews, and images:
Daniella Steadman, PR Manager, Packaging Division, DS Smith
Email: daniella.steadman@dssmith.com / Mobile: +44 (0) 750 735 7755

DS Smith

DS Smith is a leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. The company plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods, food and beverage, and industrials. It has a target-led Now & Next sustainability strategy, Redefining Packaging for a Changing World, and is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for customers. As a part of this mandate, there is a focus on replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains, providing recycling solutions, innovation and significant investment into Research & Development including alternative materials and fibres. The company has a progressive approach to the service and optimization of sustainable supply chains, a well-known and bespoke ‘Box-to-Box’ in fourteen days operational model and a unique Circular Design Metrics approach. There are operations in thirty-four countries, 30,000+ employees, and a headquarters in London, where the company is also listed in the FTSE100. It is a proactive member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and the original DS Smith box-making business was started by the London based Smith family in the 1940s. Additional information can be found by visiting www.dssmith.com 

International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than thirty countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting www.internationalpaper.com

Alpine Water Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft m.b.H.

Hallstein Water has been described as ‘the purest drinking water in the world’ and in 1999, the Muhr family set out in search of the world's highest quality product. They found it at the foot of the Dachstein mountain in the Hallstatt region in Upper Austria and with a team of scientists and water experts established some core criteria for drinking water quality to set new standards. Due to its untouched beauty and seven thousand years of history, the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A symbiosis of high natural alkalinity, low nitrite content, and rich oxygen are the guarantee of success of the popular Hallstein water – it delivers a rare combination of minerals and natural alkalinity with zero contaminants. It is independently lab tested and pure and ready for direct delivery to the company’s customers. Hallstein water flows straight from source to bottle without treatment or storage tanks. Additional information can be found by visiting www.hallsteinwater.com

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