DS Smith announces five-year sole supplier deal with Mondelez International for European markets

DS Smith, a global provider of fiber-based sustainable packaging solutions, announces a second consecutive five-year contract agreement to be the sole supplier of corrugated packaging in Europe for Mondelēz International, one of the world’s largest snacking companies with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, LU, TUC and Belvita biscuits, 7Days baked snacks, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka, Cote d’Or, and Toblerone chocolate, as well as Philadelphia cream cheese.

The agreement represents an exclusive partnership and extends existing services with a commitment to new projects. It will involve building on an already established relationship that the international snacking leader and DS Smith have held in place for the last ten years.

The value of collaboration and co-creation as a working practice is highly regarded by Mondelēz and DS Smith and embodied in the spirit of their partnership. The cooperation will enable the companies to further build on their R&D programs and deliver bespoke sustainable packaging solutions with a radical joint innovation program and roadmap.

Both companies are dedicated to an approach that allows for a focus on quality, supply chain efficiency, and productivity initiatives. A key shared objective is to ensure that supply chains continue to be resilient and help keep products on shelf irrespective of unprecedented market conditions. 

New fiber-based sustainable packaging solutions will be implemented across European markets, and both companies will work closely together to reduce the use of single-use plastics and utilize joint efforts to hit a target of Net Zero emissions by 2050.

The companies will deliver against promises to shape the most sustainable and economically viable packaging solutions over the next five years. This will involve reducing materials and increasing recyclability across key product lines.

DS Smith and Mondelez will continue to use the DS Smith Circular Design Metrics when co-creating new packaging innovations, ensuring that every new solution is evaluated for key sustainability measures such as recyclability, material consumption, keeping material and products in use for longer, and making entire supply cycles more efficient. DS Smith developed its unique Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tool following the company’s Circular Design Principles launch to help companies transition to a more circular economy. The pioneering tool is an industry first and clearly indicates a packaging design’s sustainability strengths and weaknesses and where to focus attention.

Stefano Rossi, chief executive officer of the Packaging Division at DS Smith, said, “We are delighted to continue this amazing journey with our hugely valued customer, Mondelēz International. This long-standing partnership is a testament to the strength of our shared vision together. We are uniquely focused on redefining packaging for a changing world and creating lasting packaging innovations across all areas of our customers' businesses. We are inherently proud of what we have achieved within the last ten years, and we look forward to working together successfully into the next decade and creating yet more lasting change.”

Cyril Goyet, vice president of Procurement Europe at Mondelēz International, said, “We are tremendously excited about our next venture with DS Smith and grateful for the collaborative journey we have shared over the last ten years. The mutual trust we have built over time and the transparency and dedication exhibited by both teams have been the secret recipe for our success, enabling consistent value delivery and making our partnership unique and remarkable. Ultimately, it is about the great people in both companies sharing the same set up of values, passion, and commitment. Here is to another five years of success, growth, and achievement as we explore new opportunities.”