June 9, 2023

Non-food products in D-PAK™ cartons: How Elopak is conquering new segments

Increasingly, consumers put great stress on the environmental friendliness of packaging and want to reduce the plastic waste they create. This increased awareness of sustainability applies not only to food, but also to household products.
We have been producing carton packaging for more than 60 years and have extensive experience in the production of sustainable packaging solutions. Thanks to our comprehensive know-how, we were able to transfer our technology, which has so far mainly been used in the food sector, to the non-food sector. Based on our many years of experience in the food sector, we have developed the D-PAK™ carton for non-food products. With it, we offer manufacturers and brands a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging, so that they can contribute to the protection of the climate and the environment, and thus meet the demands of consumers.

The features of the D-PAK™ carton:

Made with paperboard from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources

Easy to empty, fold and dispose of

Saves on weight and space during transport

Clear distinguishability for non-food contents through a label that covers the closure

Meets all requirements of EU regulation

360-degree printing with plenty of space for branding and brand communication

Of course, only products that do not harm the environment are packed in D-PAK™ cartons. They are filled by a specially developed filling machine. A few weeks ago, a new Elopak-owned test facility for the filling of non-food products was put into operation. The filling line in the Netherlands enables small-scale filling and initial market tests, which can be of particular interest to smaller customers and start-ups.

Where our cartons are used

Possible product applications for our cartons are versatile. One of the users is the manufacturer of hygiene and personal care products called Luoro, which is well-known from the German TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen.” The company has just launched a mouthwash under its oral care brand Paperdent in our D-PAK™ cartons. The sustainably packaged mouthwash is available online and in selected pharmacies and supermarkets in Germany and Austria.
mundspuuelung_ Duo
With our packaging solution, Luoro saves more than 80 per cent plastic compared to the usual plastic packaging. It is made with wood from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources and is fully recyclable. Luoro also opted for a climate-neutral carton. In choosing our packaging solution, the company is following the example of other manufacturers of household products who already pack detergents, fabric softeners or hand soap in our D-PAK™ cartons.

Orkla is a pioneer in Scandinavia

One company that has been an early adopter of carton packaging is Orkla. As the first company in Norway to do so, Orkla has been offering hand soap and detergent in our cartons as refill products under the Klar brand since 2020. Today, 90 per cent of Klar refill products are sold in D-PAK™ cartons. The market launch was so successful that in Norway Orkla has also been offering detergents under the Omo, Blenda and Milo brands in refill cartons since 2021. In 2022, Orkla also converted the Grumme brand in Sweden and the Lumme brand in Finland to 750 ml D-PAK™ cartons.
“Our goal is to help consumers reduce their carbon footprint without having to compromise on quality, fragrance or ease of use. The carton is made from renewable materials and can be sorted for recycling with other cardboard and paper items such as milk cartons and newspapers in Norway. It is volume efficient, saving on both weight and space in transport.”
Anne Marheim Støren, Head of Marketing & Innovation Sustainable Living from Orkla OHPC
In addition to Orkla and Luoro, other manufacturers are using our D-PAK™ cartons. A recent example of this is found in the UK market, where two renowned manufacturers of dishwashing and laundry detergents have recently introduced their products in our refill cartons. This decision underlines the growing awareness among manufacturers of the importance of environmentally friendly packaging.
D-Pak™ cartons product page
Article - Elopak re-introduces D-PAK™ cartons
Article - Orkla first to launch soap refills in cartons
Farm Dairy, Netherlands
Produkt: 
Pure-Pak® Sense

Farm Dairy has launched its first plant-based milk alternatives in the Netherlands in 750ml Pure-Pak® Sense. Since the beginning of February, three plant-based yoghurts from Picnic’s own “Nogurt” brand have been available exclusively through the Picnic app. Further plant-based product launches for a range of Dutch retail brands are already planned. With both fresh and long-life milk alternatives, Farm Dairy is firmly positioning itself as an accelerator of the protein transition in the Netherlands.

Niehoffs Vaihinger Fruchtsaft, Germany
Produkt: 
Pure-Pak® Classic

The best of juice and oats – the fruit oat drinks Youce by Vaihinger combine tropical fruit flavors with the nutritious qualities of oat drinks. The fruity new product is now available in the flavors orange-mango and cherry-pomegranate in Elopak’s 750ml Pure Pak Classic carton. Whether pure, in muesli or as a snack – in a consumer test, more than 80 percent of the test subjects attested to a high purchase probability.

Co-op, UK
Produkt: 
D-PAK™ Carton

In January 2025, the British retailer Co-op introduced its own-brand detergents in 750ml D-PAK™ cartons throughout the country. By switching from plastic bottles to cardboard packaging, the company is saving around 80 percent on plastic annually. Since the D-PAK™ cartonboard is 45 percent lighter than plastic bottles and can be transported more efficiently, the switch also results in significant logistical savings.