Global packaging leader Elopak has shifted to using low-carbon aluminium for its liquid packaging cartons produced in Europe. This aluminium, exclusively derived from smelters powered by renewable electricity, is now part of the standard ambient cartons produced at the company’s facilities located in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Ukraine.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in reducing the carbon footprint of shelf-stable liquid packaging, directly tackling the high carbon emissions traditionally associated with primary aluminium production.
The impetus for this transition lies in the urgent need to diminish the environmental impact of raw materials while maintaining product safety standards. In shelf-stable liquid packaging, a thin layer of aluminium is essential, acting as a critical barrier against both oxygen and light, ensuring aseptic conditions, and prolonging product shelf life without relying on artificial preservatives.
By opting for aluminium generated from renewable energy sources instead of traditional fossil fuels, Elopak aims to lessen the ecological effects of this vital component. The company also partners exclusively with members of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to ensure adherence to responsible sourcing practices.
Emilie Olderskog, the global sustainability lead at Elopak, highlights the crucial balance between product performance and environmental responsibility: “By sourcing aluminium produced with renewable electricity, we are taking another concrete step in reducing the climate impact of our packaging materials. The introduction of low-carbon aluminium delivers an immediate and measurable reduction in the footprint of our standard ambient cartons, while allowing us to retain the functional properties that are critical for food protection and shelf life.”
As beverage brands and liquid food manufacturers navigate an evolving landscape of environmental regulations and corporate sustainability targets, Elopak’s material transition provides several immediate benefits:
- Immediate Scope 3 reductions: Brands utilizing standard aseptic Pure-Pak cartons will experience an instant 8% decrease in their packaging carbon footprint. Cradle-to-gate calculations demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 53g to 49g of CO₂e per carton.
- Regulatory compliance and PPWR alignment: This transition aligns with Elopak’s recent integration of recycled polymers, aiding food and beverage companies in meeting the forthcoming European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements.
- Enhanced competitive advantage over plastic: Numerous life-cycle assessments confirm that liquid packaging cartons generally maintain a smaller carbon footprint compared to plastic options. Reducing the carbon baseline of the aluminium layer enhances this environmental benefit.
For manufacturers seeking to eliminate aluminium entirely, Elopak continues to provide its Pure-Pak eSense format—an aluminium-free aseptic carton designed for specific ambient distribution and streamlined recycling.
This initiative presents food and beverage brands with an easy, effective solution to boost their sustainability profiles. They can report reduced carbon footprints to retailers and consumers without modifying their filling lines, altering packaging graphics, or compromising product shelf life.
