Leading designers, manufacturers, and suppliers of paper-based packaging Smurfit Kappa, showcased its range of innovative agricultural solutions at the recently concluded 15th edition of Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc (SIAM), the international agriculture exhibition which was held in the northern Moroccan city of Meknes, as part of its commitment in supporting development of the agriculture sector in a sustainable and effective manner.
Among the solutions displayed at SIAM were the P84 family of fruit and vegetable trays made from corrugated cardboard that provides the required ventilation to deal with changes in humidity and climate, keeping the fresh produce in its optimum condition throughout the supply chain; the double walled cardboard boxes; and fruit packaging products made from stone, especially designed for the Meknes region, where the harvest season is scheduled to begin at the end of May.
Other products included e-commerce boxes for fruits such as watermelon, dates, or poultry with a hinged lid and tuck-in flaps that are quick to assemble; are 100% biodegradable; and come with bespoke options to meet the exact size and performance requirements.
The Dublin-headquartered company also displayed TechniPaper, Smurfit Kappa’s registered trademark for a portfolio of sustainable technical papers used in the manufacture of specialist cardboard, which are grease-proof, slip-resistant, moisture-resistant, flame-retardant, anti-static, and heat sealable papers.
Teo Pastor, Smurfit Kappa’s Sales & Marketing Director Spain Portugal Morocco, says, “Recognising the importance of Morocco’s agricultural sector, the company has developed suitable packaging solutions for the distribution and export of fruits and vegetables. The proposed solutions help enhance the product quality of our customers and improve their supply chain, helping them to increase their sales, reduce costs, and mitigate risks, as well as ensuring sustainability.”
New production unit to ensure fast and efficient supply
Commercially present in Morocco since the late 1990s, Smurfit Kappa will inaugurate the new production facility for corrugated cardboard during the next few weeks at the north-western Rabat-Salé-Kénitra administrative region, adding to its sales office and a network of manufacturing facilities in Larache, Mediouna, Sidi-Bibi, and Tangier.
The new factory will cater to the national market, meeting the needs of local customers and multinational companies in Morocco. The factory will also come with the first and only EXperience Centre that will provide behavioural insights and supply chain trends, and showcase the company’s advanced paper and packaging design tools, which will allow customers to increase their business value and improve product packaging.
Mounir Naciri, General Manager at Smurfit Kappa Morocco says, “The new plant, with an investment exceeding 35 million euros, will strengthen Smurfit Kappa’s position in the country and allow it to become a strategic partner for customers in various sectors such as agriculture, automotive, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other industrial markets, such as ceramics, fish, and meat.”
