• A single fibre-based packaging solution for the protection of BWT MACH water filters and accessories.
DS Smith, an International Paper company and global provider of fibre-based and sustainable packaging solutions, and BWT (Best Water Technology), a leading producer of water treatment technologies with solutions for households, commercial applications, and industrial environments across Austria, are manufacturing the Transport Box for MACH Water Filters in Two Different Versions.
Credit: DS Smith / BWT (BEST WATER TECHNOLOGY)
Packaging for BWT MACH water filter DS Smith
The packaging solution is designed to fit with two different types of MACH water filters, a technology that is widely considered to be a next-generation automatic backwash filter for the protection of domestic water pipes. It is intended to provide product protection, logistical efficiency, and efficiency in materials utilisation from production through to easy handling and transportation.
Improved handling operations
The DS Smith design and implementation team cleverly crafted the solution to hold the MACH water filters, their related accessories, and product-sensitive components securely in place. A core element of the design is an integrated and triangular-shaped corrugated cardboard insert to create a flexible accessory compartment made from a dividing piece of material that is incorporated into the packaging structure.
The inserts are also intended to protect BWT’s MACH filters from shock or unexpected impacts during the supply chain process, separating the products from the bottom of the packaging case and elevating them to ensure that they are away from floor level.
Andreas Koch, Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, DS Smith, Austria comments: “The BWT requirements aligned perfectly with our expertise at DS Smith as a global leader in fibre‑based packaging solutions. Through close collaboration and use of our Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to measure a packaging design's sustainability performance across eight key indicators, from materials utilisation to recyclability, a bespoke corrugated packaging solution was developed for the delivery of optimal protection, sustainability, and efficiency. We can see that this has tangible benefits across the entire supply chain”.
Optimised production processes
The overall packaging design is comprised of a double wall of corrugated cardboard compacted to form a rigid, durable, and strong structure. It successfully reduces the use of material and, as a compact solution, effectively reduces the amount of empty space. In addition, the Transport Box for MACH Water Filters in Two Different Versions can be seamlessly integrated into existing BWT packaging lines.
Andreas Weißenbacher, CEO, Best Water Technology (BWT), Austria: “Our BWT MACH filters are setting new standards in backwash filtration — not only through their innovative Rotary Impulse Technology, but also through a more sustainable and efficient production approach. Combining modern design with advanced engineering, they deliver high performance while helping to reduce environmental impact. By lowering the number of plastic components used in product packaging, we are conserving valuable resources and supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices. At the same time, the streamlined production setup — requiring only a single converting machine after corrugated production — creates significant cost efficiencies and improves overall production efficiency.”
The natural brown corrugated board aesthetic and the white flexographic printing on the exterior of the packaging solution surface are also useful in terms of providing a versatile platform for BWT to include brand messaging and bold printed logos.
The Transport Box for MACH Water Filters in Two Different Versions earned DS Smith a WorldStar Global Packaging Award in the Household category in 2026. The nomination for one of the most prestigious accolades in the international packaging industry, the award commended the packaging solution for its innovative construction, reliable product protection, and consistently sustainable approach to design.
Through its purpose and its company-wide and target-led sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading a transition to the circular economy and to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for customers worldwide.