International Paper brand DS Smith has invested more than €14m ($16.4m) into its production network in Romania.

The biggest portion, equating to €10.5m, is earmarked for the Timișoara facility and is due to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

The plan covers more automation, changes to manufacturing flow, and a larger warehouse to address logistics needs and cut delivery times.

The company will also install a new converting line at the site, which aims to support work for current and future customers through updated technology, higher efficiency, live quality monitoring and the ability to make additional packaging formats.

DS Smith has also installed a cooling system at the plant that reduces temperatures in production halls by up to 5°C under its "Health and Wellbeing" programme.

In Ghimbav, the group plans to invest a further €3.6m in 2026. The funding will go towards infrastructure upgrades and improvements to corrugated board manufacturing equipment.

It follows a €13m investment launched at the same plant in 2023.

DS Smith Packaging Romania cluster director Christian Schmidt said: "In 2026, DS Smith Packaging Romania continues to accelerate its investments and business transformation, with a clear growth direction and ambitious objectives for the coming period.

"Despite a challenging economic environment, we remain focused on development, competitiveness, and delivering concrete responses to the constantly changing needs of our customers.

"The strong volume growth for the second consecutive year confirms that our strategy meets market demands and motivates us to further strengthen the organisation's performance and profitability."