In Alicante, the agricultural sector demands packaging that improves aeration for products like citrus, optimizes transport, and maximizes stacking. Any failure in these steps of the supply chain wastes valuable time for producers, distributors, and brand owners in the region, driving up costs or risking brand image at the point of sale. This leads to tighter margins amid the current economic climate.
Alicante has the first and only innovation center in agricultural packaging
Citrus fruits are special in that they tolerate deformation without losing quality, allow perfect stacking, and require packaging designed for both long-distance transport and on-shelf display. The packaging must perform well across the supply chain from packing to point of sale.
Agri Experience Center is the only fully agricultural R&D center in Europe. It operates at the Smurfit Kappa Alicante factory, where new and innovative packaging solutions for agriculture are continually designed.
Innovation at the service of the Alicante farmer
For citrus, Goliath has become a strong entrant into the sector by aligning with the needs of producers, distributors, and brand owners of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. The focus is on resilience and stability in stacks, combined with good ventilation to ensure smooth movement through the logistics chain until the products reach sales points.
Goliath is a packaging solution that addresses stability. It reduces load thanks to inclined head walls and an internal slot system, keeping boxes neatly aligned in piles.
These sloping hood walls create ventilation channels that enable airflow around each package. Controlling temperature and humidity is essential in both storage rooms and transport. The packaging is suitable for agriculture-food contact.
Purpose: to provide corrugated packaging that meets the needs of its customers
Agriculture is not the only sector Smurfit Kappa serves. The company also develops packaging for the industrial and e-commerce sectors. Its ongoing growth in the area makes the unboxing experience itself an opportunity for new purchases.
Smurfit Kappa’s integrated business key to providing innovative and sustainable carton packaging
One notable example is Wow, designed for a leading Valencian fashion startup focused on smart clothes that resist staining, stay wrinkle-free, breathe, and are fully recyclable. The packaging supports a seamless online sales channel experience.
Smurfit Kappa also develops packaging for industrial or e-commerce needs. In the past, the company used two plastic bags for shipments, but now the goal is to minimize plastic usage and deliver a unique and innovative unboxing experience with a 100% plastic-free approach.
Smurfit Kappa, a European leader in agricultural packaging, continues to invest in production in San Vicente. The result has been a new and distinctive unboxing experience that achieves a strong Wow effect for customers. The packaging combines a superior appearance with easy assembly, tamper-proof design, and straightforward product returns. It also promotes brand visibility while eliminating plastic in favor of a smart, one-piece solution.
Smurfit Kappa offers a broad portfolio of innovative and sustainable packaging
Shaped to meet customer needs, these solutions add value by prioritizing sustainability. Made from paper-based materials, corrugated cardboard provides robust product protection and customization while offering a more sustainable option than other materials with similar strength. In short, Smurfit Kappa delivers a wide range of paper-based packaging solutions, including Heavy Duty or XXL formats and Hexacomb honeycomb options for agriculture and industrial sectors.
Plastic-free agriculture: developing a paper cover for landfill
In addition, the company provides a broad line of attractive, sustainable displays and packaging made from technical papers that resist moisture, oil, heat, and static, ensuring high performance across the supply chain. Those seeking more success stories can explore the company’s portfolio and outcomes.