Kategorie:
Sustainability, Health & Nutrition
05.06.2024

Elopak sustainability report 2023 – advancing our sustainable growth

2023 has been an important year in advancing our sustainable growth. We have expanded our market presence, announced a new production plant in the US, and continued our path to become a net zero company by 2050.
Our combined annual and sustainability report provides information about our progress and goals regarding people, planet and profit. This article gives the most important results.

Read the full report here.

Sustainability

The way we work:

As a global corporation, Elopak is committed to work systematically with all aspects of sustainability, from the wellbeing of our employees, initiatives to mitigate climate change, responsible sourcing of raw materials, to responsible business conduct, upholding the highest ethical standards in all our business operations.
Being sustainable means finding the balance between what is good for the people, the planet and the profit.
Infographic: Components of Sustainability

Our sustainability targets:

Our sustainability targets remain the same as last year, safeguarding our long-term commitments to key global challenges such as climate change, scarce natural resources, diversity, safety and responsibility in supply chains.

1.

Elopak offers a top-quartile motivating workplace by 2025

2.

85 % of employees have individual targets and documented competence development plans

3.

Target the same distribution in gender diversity across all hierarchical levels
“We are in the business of combating climate change and driving a more circular economy, and it is our obligation to leave behind a better earth for the next generation. Being sustainable is core to our organization and we ensure economic growth without exploiting the resources or the people of this planet.”
thomas körmendi, ceo of elopak

Renewability

Renewability is important to Elopak, because we are part of this world, and we have an inherent responsibility to maintain the scarce resources of out planet.
Since our primary raw material originates from the forests, we take responsible forest management very seriously.
Elopak has an ambitious goal of 100 % renewable or recycled content materials in our cartons on the European market by 2030.

Naturally renewable – maintaining living and viable forests

Elopak sources all its paperboard from verified and controlled sources. In 2023, we sold 55 percent FSC™-labeled cartons (80 percent of the sales volume in Europe) (FSC® C081801). While the number in Europe is increasing, global numbers decreased slightly as the new markets historically have less demand for FSC-labeled cartons. However, we see an increased demand and expect volume growth for FSC™ also for the new markets.

Fossil-free – with certified renewable polymers

In 2023, the share of fully renewable fresh milk cartons in Europe was 30 percent. This percentage is unchanged from 2022. Our self-defined goal is to have 50 percent of all fresh milk cartons in Europe fully renewable by 2025

100 percent of renewable polymers Elopak supplies are certified according to ISCC PLUS.

Net Zero

Elopak has worked systematically to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions since 2008, and we have publicly reported our emission data every year.
In 2016, we became a member of RE200 and have been a carbon neutral company since. In addition, we offer carbon neutral packaging to our customers. We are sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity throughout all our sites.
Elopak was on of the first non-pilot companies to have its near- and long-term emission reduction targets verified since the launch of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard in October 2021.

Average footprint per carton

More environmentally friendly cartons include brown board as well as the use of bio circular polyethylene. Comparing the carbon footprint of brown board vs. bleached board, the 2023 volume of brown board has contributed to an emission reduction of more than 2,100 tons.
Carbon footprint of an average Elopak PE carton with closure. Based on internal cradle-to-gate calculations in Elopak's DEEP tool, version 14. The figures refer to an average 1-liter PE-coated carton with closure sold in Europe for fresh dairy products.

Carbon neutral

Elopak has been a carbon neutral company since 2016. With our carbon neutral program, we have been measuring and reducing our emissions as far as possible fo many years. We reach carbon neutrality by offsetting residual emissions from our own production processes, transport of raw materials and finished goods as well as from business travel. By widening this approach, we can offer carbon neutral packaging to our customers. In fact, we were first to offer carbon neutral cartons for beverages and liquid foods.

Elopak supports projects outside of the value chain that can provide third-party verified carbon emission reduction credits. In doing so, we are contributing not only to reduced emissions, but also facilitating positive effects on local livelihoods and the environment.

Building the road to 2030 with Science Based Targets

In 2019, we were one of the first companies to commit to the 1.5° goal of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2021, Elopak took part in the Net-Zero Road Test with 80 other companies, and during that process updated our near-term targets in line with the new standard. In 2022, we had our net zero targets approved.

In terms of plant efficiency, waste was kept at historically low levels in 2023. Elopak was also able to cut its scope 1 and 2 emissions according to plan, amounting to a cut of 1,115 tons (13 percent) versus 2022 and 2,829 tons (33 percent) versus 2020. 

The goal is to reduce the absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42 percent by 2030 from a 2020 base year. In addition, we pledge to continue sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity. The scope 3 GHG emissions will be reduced by 25 percent by 2030 from a 2020 base year.

Recycling and circular economy

Elopak cartons are recyclable with existing technology. There are capacities in about 20 paper mills across Europe.
Elopak supports requirements for recyclability and circularity, which are evident in regulatory developments all over the world and particularly in Europe.
We are a member of multiple associations and industry partnerships to support the continued improvement of the collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure for our paper-based cartons.

Recycling

Our cartons contain fibres of very high quality that can be recycled up to seven times. It is our goal to make national collection and recycling facilities more widely available and easily accessible, so that more people can recycle. Therefore, Elopak works together with industry peers to increase and strengthen the collection and recycling of cartons across our markets.

Overview on beverage carton recycling

By 2030, on average 70 percent of all beverage cartons are to be recycled in the EU and in Canada. Both the private sector (e.g. in Italy, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic) and the beverage carton industry have invested heavily in the recycling of the paper as well as the non-paper fraction of beverage cartons.

Examples are the PolyAl recycling plants by Palurec GmbH in Germany and Recon Polymers in the Netherlands.
This year, we celebrated 15 years of structured sustainability work. In recognition of our dedication, we received an A+ score for our ESG reporting from Position Green, placing Elopak in the top 5 percent of companies best prepared for the introduction of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
We achieved an EcoVadis Gold rating for our performance with a score that places us in the top 2 percent of all rated companies worldwide.
Sustainability Report 2023 – Full report
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.