DS Smith names managing director for European Recycling

Photo courtesy of DS Smith

London-based DS Smith has appointed Michael Orye as managing director for European Recycling. According to DS Smith, Orye has extensive experience from the packaging industry and “a track record for promoting a circular way of working.”

Orye comes to DS Smith from Denmark-based food packaging company Faerch AS, where he had served as CEO for Central Europe & Recycling. He also has previously worked as an executive vice president at Huhtamaki and has worked in a variety of roles at Amcor, helping to grow that business across multiple markets in the United States and Europe.

“DS Smith is in a unique position to shape the industry and lead the transition to the circular economy,” Orye says. “It is a very exciting time to join the company, and I look forward to continuing to help our customers achieve their sustainability targets.”

As Orye joins DS Smith, Rogier Gerritsen, who most recently worked as the company’s managing director for European Recycling, will transition to serve as DS Smith’s managing director of Paper in Europe. DS Smith says Gerritsen joined the company in 2012 when it acquired SCA Packaging and has since held senior roles in both the Paper and Recycling divisions. In his new position, Gerritsen will be responsible for the company’s 13 paper mills in Europe.

“It is vital for our paper and recycling operations to work hand in hand, and I’m looking forward to rejoining the Paper division to support our portfolio of mills in Europe at a time when the demand for sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions is growing,” Gerritsen says.

Both Orye and Gerritsen will report to Niels Flierman, managing director of Paper, Recycling and Capex at DS Smith.