Boermarke goes purely plant-based and expands sustainable carton packaging

The Dutch company's plant-based range is expanding to include beverages, ‘vla’ and yoghurts in Pure-Pak^® Sense.

Boermarke B.V., a leading European supplier of plant-based cheese, yoghurt and ice cream products for retailers and the catering industry, is expanding its portfolio to include dairy alternatives. The new range includes plant-based drinks, the Dutch typical ‘vla’ desserts and yoghurts, all of which are packaged in Elopak's environmentally friendly one-litre Pure-Pak^® Sense carton made from sustainable natural brown board.

Fully plant-based business with dairy expertise

Back in 2015, Boermarke – then still successful in the traditional dairy business – recognised the emerging plant-based trend as a sustainable model for the future and launched its first plant-based product. In 2023, the company went on to divest itself of its dairy business following rapid growth in the production of plant-based milk alternatives.

Since then, Boermarke has been on a mission to produce the tastiest plant-based dairy alternatives. In addition to vla, the production facility in Enschede also manufactures mousse, porridge, quark and fruit products, as well as plant-based cheese, yoghurt and ice cream – a diverse range designed to suit all tastes. Boermarke also offers contract manufacturing for private label, including development and warehousing, thus maximising its plant-based expertise as a co-filler. Boermarke's vegan products are therefore not only sold under its own brand, ‘Vairy’, but also numerous retail brands.

Top-tasting dairy alternatives

Klaasjan Joosten, Commercial Manager at Boermarke, reveals the key to success for plant-based dairy alternatives:

With the launch of drinks, vla and yoghurt in carton, combined with a comprehensive expansion of its product range, the company is now taking another important step forward without compromising on taste, quality or nutritional value. The vla range now includes a selection of new recipes and flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel and orange in one-litre Pure-Pak^® Sense cartons. They are all enriched with calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D. In addition, there are new ‘Mild & Creamy’ yoghurts, which are also packaged in one-litre Pure-Pak^® Sense cartons.

Packaging partnership with Elopak

In April 2025, Boermarke began its collaboration with Elopak with the installation of a new ultra-hygienic filling machine in Enschede. The Shikoku S-PSF70UCE machine can fill up to 7,000 Pure-Pak^® cartons of 500, 750 and 1000ml per hour, or 6,000 cartons of 250, 330 and 1136ml. Boermarke has the flexibility to switch automatically between the four packaging sizes 250, 500, 750 and 1000ml via the operator panel.

For Klaasjan Joosten, the collaboration is a perfect match. As well as the need to guarantee high-quality products, sustainability and service also played an important role in the decision to choose Elopak's filling concept:

Protein alternatives: Growing call for plant-based products in Dutch cities

More and more cities around the world are joining the call for a ‘Plant-Based Treaty’ to reduce the impact of food on the climate crisis. Many municipalities are participating, especially in the Netherlands, which is severely affected by climate change: In Amsterdam, this has been evident since 2024 with the introduction of mandatory, wholesome plant-based food offerings and a ‘Vegan Friday’ in all publicly funded institutions, as well as a commitment by the entire Amsterdam catering industry to maintain a 40 to 60 fixed ratio between animal and plant proteins by 2030.

In Nijmegen, the advertising of meat products is set to be banned from bus stops, digital screens and other public advertising spaces. Instead, regional plant-based foods will be promoted.

And as part of the Plant Protein Forward programme, the Netherlands is supporting measures to promote increased consumption of regional plant-based protein sources such as edamame. The programme aims to offer farmers new opportunities and contribute to the national protein strategy's goal of making the Netherlands more self-sufficient in its protein supply.

Boermarke is already well positioned for the future by supplying the emerging market for plant-based protein and milk alternatives with its wide variety of chilled and frozen plant-based products in sustainable carton packaging. Private label products under the Vairy brand can now be found in all Dutch supermarkets and major grocery chains in 21 European countries, including Edeka, Lidl, Albert Heijn, Aldi, Colruyt, Billa, Salling and Mercator.