Liquid packaging and returnable transit packaging provider DS Smith Plastics (Rugby / UK; www.dssmith-plastics.com) has opened a new bag-in-box facility in Moscow. DS Smith Vostok OOO has been established two years after Smith’s specialist bag-in-box division, Rapak (Rugby / UK; www.rapak.com), set up a sales office in the Russian capital.

The new company will provide a platform for further development and expansion of Rapak’s activities in Russia and the CIS, allowing local manufacture and direct import, as well as the ability to invoice in the local currency. Bag-in-box is seen as a versatile, efficient and cost-effective format for end-markets such as wine, dairy, water and soft drinks, as well as aseptic-filled liquid foods and chemicals. Demand in Russia is continuing to grow and Rapak says it has recently won two major contracts in wine and dairy.

DS Smith Plastics has a turnover of more than GBP 200m (EUR 228m), with plants in Europe, the US, the Dominican Republic, Israel and Australasia. It is a major division of international packaging supplier and office products wholesaler DS Smith (London / UK; www.dssmith.uk.com).