Mondi has developed a packaging concept for long-standing customer Stiebel Eltron that uses white digital printing on brown corrugated board to help simplify the manufacturer’s water heater packaging range.
The approach reduces the number of different corrugated board grades used by Stiebel Eltron by more than 75%, while maintaining product protection. Digital printing allows multiple packaging designs and print volumes to be produced on the same material base, helping the company respond to different market requirements without adding complexity to the packaging system.
Stiebel Eltron had been using around 150 packaging variants and was looking to refine its packaging portfolio as part of a broader redesign. As part of the project, Mondi analysed the existing corrugated packaging and grouped the solutions according to product weight and transport requirements. This was used to identify the most suitable brown corrugated board grade for each product group and create a more structured packaging portfolio.
The redesign also replaced four-colour printed designs with a more consistent visual approach using white digital printing on brown corrugated board. According to Mondi, the use of white enables fine details to be reproduced clearly, including small text, QR codes and barcodes.
Digital printing also allows different packaging variants to be combined within a single production run without additional set-up. This can reduce changeover times and costs, while helping to avoid overproduction, particularly where smaller print volumes are required.
The harmonised packaging concept is intended to simplify processes for Stiebel Eltron and support the introduction of new packaging designs. By using existing material specifications, new designs can be adapted without requiring additional box testing, according to Mondi. The approach also provides a consistent appearance across regions while retaining flexibility for different market requirements.
Adam Fros, head of product development building services at Stiebel Eltron, said: “By supporting us through every phase of the packaging redesign, Mondi delivered a holistic concept that helped us reduce complexity and improve efficiency through an optimised packaging approach. At the same time, white digital printing gives us the flexibility to adapt designs quickly, providing a scalable basis for future product launches.”
The packaging concept combines a reduced number of corrugated board grades with digital printing to provide a common material base for multiple designs. Mondi says the approach is intended to reduce material and production complexity while retaining flexibility for Stiebel Eltron’s different products and markets.
