Kategorie:
Products & Packaging
29.09.2025

Bringing D-PAK™ cartons to the world

Discover in the first part of our two-part blog series how co-filler partnerships with Union Cosmetic and Kompak are helping more and more brands in the household and personal care sectors reduce plastic waste through fiber-based liquid packaging solutions.

Elopak has leaped into the heart and soul of the home and personal care industry through partnerships with Europe’s biggest players in the sector including the leading co-packers and manufacturers.

As it continues to build its Co-filling network, Elopak is bringing the sustainable and convenience benefits of the D-PAK™ carton to more manufacturers of non-food liquid products from laundry detergents, soaps, dish washing liquids, to mouthwash and car windscreen cleaner.

“The personal care, cosmetics and homecare sectors and other non-food liquid and gels markets differ considerably from Elopak’s core markets of dairy and juice. Therefore, to bring the D-PAK™ carton as the perfect alternative to plastic, for both refill and primary packaging, we reached out to the professional wisdom and specialist manufacturers leading these markets.”
Dirk Endlich, Vice President Plastic to Carton, Elopak

As the D-PAK™ carton offers a compelling packaging option to reduce plastic waste by up to 85% whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety, convenience and functionality for a vast number of non-food household and cosmetic liquid products, Elopak’s co-filling partnerships have evolved and grown quickly and successfully across Elopak.

Union Cosmetic - A frontrunner for D-PAK™ in Czech, Slovakia and Poland

Taking the lead as a frontrunner for D-PAK™ across markets in Czech, Slovakia and Poland is Union Cosmetic, who has been in a co-filling partnership with Elopak since 2023, but has been sharing ideas for longer.

“I first contacted Elopak back in 2019 with the idea of filling detergents and personal care products in cartons. One of our missions to bring consumers the choice to choose everyday products with more sustainability. It all came about for our Twister brand for which we targeted a more sustainable option.”
Vojtěch Dubec, Managing Director, Union Cosmetic

Founded in Prague in 2002, Union Cosmetic is today a leading manufacturer of cosmetics and household chemical products supplying wholesale, retail distributors and supermarkets, including a huge amount of private label products.

In 2024, Union Cosmetic was the first to launch D-PAK™ in Czechia with its Twister branded washing gel and fabric softer switch from plastic packaging to cartons.

“We were looking for a strong and trustworthy partner whose packaging solutions meet the highest standards, backed by scientific studies and solid marketing.”
Vojtěch Dubec, Managing Director, Union Cosmetic

A pioneer in Europe

Union Cosmetic has developed tailored solutions for all of these segments, and are ready to offer them to existing and potential partners as part of a broader cooperation strategy.

“I believe our company is among the frontrunners in terms of investment when in 2023, we installed a Shikoku PS-60 filling line for 500ml, 750ml, and 1 litre D-PAK cartons volumes in our plant. In August 2025, we plan to install the PH-27 line for 1.5L 1.75L, and 2L volumes. I am convinced that, if positioned correctly, D-PAK™ could be successful not only in retail but also in hotels, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, office buildings – basically, everywhere soap dispensers are used.”
Vojtěch Dubec, Managing Director, Union Cosmetic


Kompak showcases D-PAK™ – Creating packaging history together

Recognising the potential of carton packaging for the home and personal care industry, Kompak approached Elopak three years ago, with the strategic co-filler partnership kicking off in early 2024.

“The home and personal care market moves slowly and with lower volumes compared to Elopak’s core markets. Right now, this is a market that is not ready to use a new packaging format that requires different ways of use. ABut increasingly consumers want eco-friendly, recyclable products that are still easy to use so they don’t have to change habits.”
Willem Van Nunen, Sales Director, Kompak

D-PAK™ carton ticks all boxes for home and personal care

Kompak is investing in modern packaging technology at its 15,000 m² production facility in Etten-Leur, the Netherlands: Two D-PAK™ machines – one Induflex I-DL20NF model and one Induflex I-DL25NF model – have already been installed, with a third machine scheduled to follow in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“D-PAK™ ticks all the boxes. The carton is very simple to use, plus for sustainability the D-PAK™ uses less plastic, improved the supply chain and with improved recyclability compared to plastic packaging – reduces waste.”
Willem Van Nunen, Sales Director, Kompak

Kompak is a trusted co-manufacturer and co-packer partner for home and personal care products. Known for supporting brands in Europe and North America with new product launches and innovative solutions – Kompak brings fresh ideas to life.

Exploring markets and jumping the hurdles together

“The D-PAK™ filling machine is small, easy to use and clean, plus it is convertible to different carton sizes and formats. The two machines are fully operational and together with Elopak we are exploring the market, facing the challenges and hurdles to get the shelf space for D-PAK™.”
Willem Van Nunen, Sales Director, Kompak

Thanks to its state-of-the-art production facility and extensive experience in handling high-quality cleaning and washing products according to any specifications, Kompak can take care of the entire production and filling process for customers, from development and packaging to delivery to the end user.

“Market leaders producing the biggest household brands in D-PAK™ will act as accelerators for the rest of the market, and give the format widespread exposure over Europe.”
Willem Van Nunen, Sales Director, Kompak

With Elopak's D-PAK™ filling machine, Kompak can now also meet the demand for carton packaging for household cleaning products. With its state-of-the-art production facility and extensive experience in handling high-quality detergents and cleaning products to any specification, Kompak is able to handle the entire production and filling process for customers, from development and packaging to logistics.

Impact partnership

This partnership brings together Kompak’s flexibility as a co-packer and Elopak’s global expertise in liquid board packaging, resulting in a comprehensive, end-to-end packaging system. This collaboration has led to the creation of the D-PAK™ showroom at Kompak’s Etten-Leur site, supporting the launch of eco-friendly carton packaging solutions for a variety of product sectors.

Kompak and Elopak invite companies to visit the D-PAK™ showroom which has been created at the Etten-Leur site. Customers can learn about carton board packaging solutions can reduce plastic content by up to 80% compared to PET bottles but also bring high functionality of use and flexibility in production. At the centre of the showroom is the Big Carton wall that depicts the D-PAK™ history and development to today’s universal packaging concept for liquid non-food products from fabric softeners, mouthwash, hand soap and even car screen wash.

More information

Learn more about our D-PAK™-Showroom.
McBride, Italy
Product:
D-PAK™

Cleaning reimagined: Actiff refill packs in D-PAK™ cartons

McBride is launching new refill packs for its household cleaning brand Actiff in D-PAK™ cartons in Italy. By introducing carton packaging, the company underlines its commitment to sustainability and innovation while responding to evolving consumer expectations.

The Actiff range includes 1litre cartons for laundry detergent and fabric softener, as well as 500 ml cartons for dishwashing liquid. By making the switch, McBride reduces the use of plastic, supports recycling and offers consumers a practical and attractive alternative to conventional plastic packaging – while ensuring strong shelf visibility.

Polmlek Group Jibal, Morokko
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic Kartons

New to the market: Jibal launches first kefir in Pure‑Pak® cartons in Morocco 

Jibal, the Moroccan subsidiary of the Polmlek Group, introduced its first kefir in Pure‑Pak® cartons to the Moroccan market in autumn 2025. The premium launch targets health‑conscious consumers and addresses the growing functional dairy segment in North Africa. With this market entry, Jibal adopts a premium positioning and uses the Pure‑Pak® carton as a packaging solution strongly associated with freshness, naturalness, and health. The product launch marks an important milestone for the brand and supports Polmlek’s expansion in one of the region’s most dynamic growth markets. 

Ehrmann Cornish Dairy, UK
Product:
Pure‑Pak®

Freshness re‑packaged: Trewithen Cream in Pure‑Pak® cartons

Ehrmann Cornish Dairy, home to the Trewithen brand, is converting three of its fresh cream products from HDPE plastic bottles to Pure‑Pak® cartons from Elopak. In collaboration with Elopak, a new filling line has been installed at the company’s site in the Glynn Valley as part of a significant investment following the acquisition by the Ehrmann Group.

From this autumn, Cornish whipping cream, double cream and buttermilk will be available in 300 ml, 500 ml and 1,000 ml cartons. By making the switch, Trewithen reduces its use of plastic, simplifies logistics and offers retailers a sustainable, shelf‑ready alternative. The move marks an important milestone for the heritage brand and has already secured a nationwide Tesco listing across the UK.

H2O4U, Finnland
Product:
Pure‑Pak®

Pure water, newly packaged: JÄÄDE in Pure‑Pak® cartons

The Finnish company H2O4U is introducing JÄÄDE, one of the purest waters in the world, for the first time in fibre‑based cartons from Elopak. The naturally filtered mineral water is filled at the company’s production facility in Lahti, Finland, where it originates from deep glacial formations that were formed around 10,000 years ago.

The products are available in 330 ml and 500 ml Mini Pure‑Pak® cartons. By introducing carton packaging, H2O4U is choosing a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging and reinforcing its commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water in a resource‑efficient way – while ensuring strong shelf visibility.