Elopak, a global leader in food and drink packaging solutions, has announced the launch of a new paperboard specifically designed for fresh liquids within chilled distribution chains. This Natural White Board significantly reduces the carbon footprint of packaging by up to 14% compared to traditional cartons made with standard board. Developed through a collaboration with Elopak’s long-standing partner, Stora Enso, this innovation aims to enhance sustainability across the company’s Pure-Pak® carton range in various markets.
The new paperboard maintains the functionality and protective qualities of Elopak’s standard white board while substantially lowering carbon emissions. Finished through a specialized process, it features a naturally smooth outer surface that matches the performance of traditional clay coatings used in standard beverage cartons. This innovative method also enables a reduction in plastic coating (i.e., polyethylene), further enhancing the carton’s environmental benefits.
“Drawing upon decades of innovation, the Pure-Pak® carton remains iconic in fiber-based food and drink packaging. With the introduction of the Natural White Board, customers can significantly enhance their sustainability initiatives,” stated Uwe Schulze, Executive Vice President of Product and Development at Elopak.
“This innovation empowers our customers to opt for a more sustainable packaging solution while still benefiting from the traditional white paperboard, which offers greater design flexibility and visibility on supermarket shelves,” he added.
Moreover, the development of this new white paperboard follows similar principles to Elopak’s previously introduced Natural Brown Board in 2017. Both paperboards are free from clay coatings, which minimizes their carbon footprint. Notably, Natural Brown Board is made using completely unbleached paper fibers, requiring less energy and fewer chemicals for production.
In contrast, the new white paperboard incorporates bleached fibers solely in the top layer of the carton. This approach provides a clean white finish while utilizing less polyethylene than standard alternatives.
“Since the success of the Natural Brown Board, we have continued our product development to offer additional options for brand owners who prefer a white finish on their cartons. We take pride in this innovation and are excited to collaborate with our long-term partner Elopak to provide companies and consumers with more sustainable packaging choices,” explained Michael Olsson, Technical Account Manager at Stora Enso.
Rørosmeieriet, a Norwegian organic dairy, was the first company to test cartons made from the new paperboard for its range of organic milk. Having previously adopted the Natural Brown Board, they seamlessly integrated these new white board cartons into their existing Elopak filling machines.
“As an organic dairy, we prioritize sustainability. Daily, we are surrounded by the beauty of nature, and we aim to protect and appreciate that natural beauty through all facets of our business. Our partnership with Elopak spans over 40 years, and we are thrilled that this latest advancement allows us to offer even greater sustainability benefits to our customers, such as Änglamark,” commented Trond Vilhelm Lund, CEO of Rørosmeieriet.
“Coop Norway is proud to be the first to market these new, sustainable cartons. Given that organic products and sustainability are core priorities for our company, this development aligns perfectly with our Änglamark brand,” remarked Roy Olderskog, Category Manager at Coop Norway.
For further details, visit www.elopak.com or follow us @Elopak on LinkedIn.
