Mondi’s ISTA Lab in ThinkBox Bupak has been officially extended for the next two years, with future innovation led by Gavin Mounce, who is joining the Mondi eCommerce team.
Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is further reinforcing its commitment to innovation in eCommerce packaging by combining extensive expertise in materials, design, and packaging processes with a state-of-the-art testing environment, where solutions are subjected to rigorous stress tests under real-world logistics conditions. Mondi’s specialists work closely with partners to develop packaging solutions that support their sustainability goals while optimising performance across the entire supply chain.
To accelerate this journey, Gavin Mounce joined Mondi as eCommerce Innovation and Application Director on 1 November 2025. With extensive experience in packaging design and innovation management on the retailer and supplier side, he will lead the team in driving forward new ideas and strengthening collaboration between Mondi’s paper, product design, and converting expertise.
“eCommerce packaging innovation is about creating value for our customers and the environment”, said Armand Schoonbrood, COO Mondi eCommerce, “Gavin brings a retailer’s perspective to innovation, helping us design packaging that works for both people and planet.”
“I’m excited to lead a team that turns groundbreaking ideas into real-world, tried and tested solutions – from concept to the customer’s door”, Gavin Mounce added.
Among Mondi’s award-winning recent innovations is the Protective Mailer – a fully recyclable paper mailer that eliminates the need for plastic bubble wrap while maintaining high product protection using open flute paper. Co-created with one of the leading online marketplaces, this solution exemplifies Mondi’s approach: co-creating with customers, thinking outside the box, pushing the envelope, and leveraging the full eCommerce portfolio – from paper to boxes and bags – to deliver sustainable packaging solutions.
ISTA-certified testing: ensuring performance through real-life simulation
Mondi operates a dedicated ThinkBox Bupak, located in Budweis, Czech Republic, a customer engagement centre to host innovation workshops, co-create packaging samples on the spot, and align customers’ needs with Mondi’s packaging expertise. The hub is equipped with an ISTA-certified testing laboratory, ensuring that every innovation performs under real-world logistics conditions.
The laboratory conducts standardised ISTA transit tests, simulating real-life shipping and handling scenarios to ensure that packaging solutions protect products throughout the supply chain. The ISTA certification has now been officially renewed until 1 October 2027, confirming Mondi’s position as a Certified Testing Laboratory member of the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA).
“Testing is a crucial part of innovation. Innovation is only valuable if it works in the real world. Our ISTA-certified lab ensures every solution survives the journey from warehouse to customer. The ISTA certification confirms the reliability of our methods and demonstrates our commitment to delivering packaging that performs in every step of the supply chain,” added Armand Schoonbrood.
The laboratory’s experts work closely with customers from various industries to define test specifics, offering quick turnaround times for standardised test reports and improvement recommendations such as alternative board grades or design optimisations.
The Mondi ISTA laboratory is also Amazon-approved under the APASS (Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier) Network, enabling customers to certify packaging compliant with Amazon’s Tier 1–3 requirements (FFP, SIOC, and PFP) – supporting the industry-wide move to reduce packaging volume and waste in eCommerce logistics.
Please find more information about our ThinkBox customer engagement centre here; and the ISTA Lab here.
Photo/Mondi
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