Elopak introduces low-carbon aluminum for liquid packaging cartons
Key takeaways
- Elopak has switched to reduced-carbon aluminum made with renewable electricity for cartons.
- A standard aseptic Pure-Pak carton’s footprint drops from 53 to 49 g CO2 per carton on a cradle-to-gate basis, while retaining the aluminum barrier properties.
- The company sources only from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative members, runs all operations on renewable electricity, and offers an aluminum-free alternative.
Elopak has begun using reduced-carbon aluminum made with renewable electricity for the carton packaging produced at its plants in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Ukraine. The transition reduces the paper-based packaging company’s carbon footprint by close to 8%.
The carbon footprint of a standard aseptic Pure-Pak carton has been reduced from 53 to 49 g CO2 per carton, based on cradle-to-gate calculations, according to Elopak.
Emilie Olderskog, global head of sustainability at Elopak, says: “By sourcing aluminum produced with renewable electricity, we are taking another concrete step in reducing the climate impact of our packaging materials.”
“The introduction of low-carbon aluminum 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.”
Aluminum is used in ambient cartons as a barrier against light and oxygen, enabling aseptic sealing. These properties facilitate an extended product shelf life and reduce waste.
“Multiple LCAs have shown that, in many applications, our liquid packaging cartons can have a lower carbon footprint than plastic packaging formats,” Olderskog continues.
“At Elopak, we continue to improve the environmental performance of our cartons and work with our customers as they seek to reduce the climate impact of their packaged products.”
Carton circularity
In addition, Elopak offers Pure-Pak eSense, which is an aluminum-free aseptic carton designed for ambient distribution. It is also said to support reduced emissions and optimized recycling performance.
Elopak works exclusively with members of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, which outlines requirements for responsible aluminum sourcing.
The company aims to further advance the recyclability of its cartons through material design and innovation. Last year, it provided Orkla Home & Personal Care (OHPC) with cartons for all-surface cleaners, replacing plastic.
All of its manufacturing operations and offices run on fully renewable electricity.
In 2025, Elopak introduced cartons made with recycled polymers, supporting compliance with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
The company says it will continue scaling solutions that lower its emissions and use resources more efficiently. One recent example is its partnership with OPHC, as part of which it supplied refill cartons for laundry products.
