Smurfit Westrock's 100% Paper Stretch Wrap Solution

Global packaging leader Smurfit Westrock has introduced a groundbreaking sustainability innovation to the packaging industry: an all-paper stretch wrap designed for securing and transporting pallets. The move aligns with the company’s dedication to eco-friendly solutions and aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions across supply chains worldwide.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Smurfit Westrock emphasised the importance of sustainability in every facet of the supply chain.
It read: “Companies that have built a brand around sustainability want to carry that same ethos throughout their supply chain. Smurfit Westrock partnered with British glass manufacturer Encirc to replace its plastic stretch wrap for pallets with a 100% paper-based alternative – Better Planet Packaging that reduces carbon emissions and simplifies the recycling process.”
Tackling supply chain emissions
By design, the paper stretch wrap helps businesses address their Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions generated along the supply chain. With increasing global and regional regulations requiring businesses to track and reduce such emissions, Smurfit Westrock’s innovation provides a timely and practical solution.
This all-paper stretch wrap is a sustainable alternative to the commonly used polyethylene stretch wrap, widely employed to stabilise pallet loads during transportation. Businesses can take significant steps toward achieving their sustainability goals by switching to this recyclable paper-based product.
Smurfit Westrock, formed from the merger of Smurfit Kappa and Westrock, has built a reputation as a leader in sustainable packaging innovations. The company’s paper pallet wrap aligns seamlessly with its mission to support the circular economy and reduce environmental impact.
A growing market for stretch wrap
The global stretch wrap market, valued at US$4.27bn in 2023, is set to experience significant growth in the coming years. This makes Smurfit Westrock’s innovative solution all the more relevant as businesses worldwide seek greener alternatives.
Jemma Jones, National Account Manager at Smurfit Westrock, highlights the benefits of the product: “Like Smurfit Westrock, Encirc is committed to the circular economy and immediately recognised the significant CO2-reducing potential of the paper wrap. If they switched entirely to the paper wrap, it would lead to an extremely significant reduction of emissions.”
Jemma further explained: “Traditional stretch wrap is the go-to for many companies, but our paper-based alternative does as good a job and – vitally – is much easier to recycle at the end of use.”
Benefits of the paper stretch wrap
Smurfit Westrock’s all-paper stretch wrap is crafted from Nertop Stretch Kraft paper, a fully-recyclable material with several advantages. It features high energy absorption and performs well in humid conditions, ensuring stability and durability during transportation.
The solution is part of Smurfit Westrock’s Better Planet Packaging portfolio, which focuses on creating eco-friendly packaging that minimises environmental impact. The paper stretch wrap is produced at the company’s Nervión paper mill in Spain, further emphasising its commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
Collaboration with Encirc: A step toward sustainability
Encirc, a leading UK glass manufacturer, became the first company to adopt Smurfit Westrock’s paper pallet wrap. As a pioneer in glass container production, Encirc produces more than three billion containers annually and has long championed sustainability.
At its partnership day in September, Encirc recognised Smurfit Westrock’s contribution by naming them Sustainability Champion, acknowledging the paper wrap as a major step forward in sustainable packaging.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Encirc, and it is heartening that 85% of our beverage customers say that our sustainability credentials made them choose Encirc. We recognise how important supply chain solutions are to all our business partners. To this end, Encirc has been working with Smurfit Westrock to replace single-use plastic with a paper alternative, a first for the UK glass-making and bottle-filling industry.”
Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, operates advanced facilities in Derrylin, Northern Ireland, and Elton, England, employing around 1,200 people. The company produces more than 2.5 billion glass containers annually.
It fills up to 250 million litres of beverages each year, making its partnership with Smurfit Westrock a significant milestone for sustainable practices in the industry.
A sustainable future
With this innovation, Smurfit Westrock reinforces its position as a trailblazer in sustainable packaging.
The company is paving the way for a greener future in supply chain management by addressing pressing environmental concerns and enabling businesses to reduce carbon emissions.
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