October 19, 2022

Our service: From the idea to the shelf

At Elopak, our customers find high-quality packaging solutions from a single source. From sustainable beverage cartons to state-of-the-art filling technology and tailor-made secondary packaging – all elements are perfectly coordinated with each other and with our customers’ products. How do we ensure this? This is where our service and knowledge centre comes into play: the Elopak Technology Centre. This is where we research, test and develop so that innovations are quickly brought to market maturity and our packaging systems ultimately meet the highest demands.

Test Centre

The Test Centre has a wide range of filling machines that we use to test and develop our packaging systems. Here is what we do on site:
Field tests of new filling machines and machine upgrades as well as product developments such as new board grades and closures
Integrity tests: Verifying the compatibility of product, filling machine and packaging
Optimising filling processes

Laboratories

In our laboratories, we can perform microbiological, chemical, material and sensory investigations of food, packaging, filling machines and environmental samples. This provides the ideal basis for bringing product innovations to market maturity as well as for comprehensive and well-founded consultation. This allows us to recommend the best packaging option to our customers and give a realistic forecast of the stability, shelf life and storability of their products.

Sensory laboratory

All sensory tests take place under strictly controlled conditions and are designed according to ISO guidelines.
Qualification of packaging materials through a strict series of sensory testing
Assessment of new board or closure categories, modified coatings, new polymers and new inks
Performance of regular quality checks
Troubleshooting
“Sometimes our work is like that of a detective. We have to consider a wide variety of potential factors and test the interaction between them. That’s how we identify the causes of sensory problems.”
Liv Bente Strandos, Manager Sensory Services at Elopak

Food and material laboratory

Here we carry out tests on various types of packaging and filling materials to ensure safe products of the highest quality.
Portfolio of around 160 analytical methods
Microbiological investigation of food, packages and filling machines to identify microorganisms, detect contamination sources, control hygiene of food containers, conduct microbial challenge testing
Food chemical evaluations, e.g. general migration analyses, shelf-life studies for juice and milk, filling suitability of food products, product packaging interaction
Packaging material analysis and performance testing: Oxygen barrier properties, identification of foreign bodies, determination of material properties, evaluation of polymers
“We ensure that a wide variety of products arrive at the customer's door safely packaged, with maximum freshness and a long shelf life. As product diversity increases, and with it the challenges for packaging systems, our role becomes increasingly important.”
Erlend Sveva, Director System Performance at Elopak

Packaging laboratory

We also support our customers in making the right decision in terms of packaging design, secondary packaging or palletizing scheme. We offer these services, among others:
Support in the visualisation of designs and concept ideas
Production of generic or customised mock-ups: from 3D pack shots to physical samples
Creating shelf animations
Development, sample production and testing of secondary packaging: From the classic tray to multi-packs and secondary placement
Simulation of a transport distance for filled packaging
Elopak – Website
Elotalk - Article Sensor Lab (PDF)
Elotalk - Article food and material laboratory (PDF)
JIF, Norway
Product:
D-PAK™

Cleaning Repackaged: Jif in D-PAK™ Cartons 

Elopak’s D-PAK™ cartons are now replacing plastic bottles for Jif household cleaners in Norway. The products are now available in 750 ml and 1500 ml cartons, including Jif Krystal Grønnsåpe – a floor and surface cleaner made from pure wood oils. With this change, manufacturer Orkla Home & Personal Care is reducing its plastic consumption. At the same time, logistics are being simplified, and retailers benefit from a sustainable, shelf-ready alternative. 

Lumme, Finnland
Product:
D-PAK™

Sustainable Refill: Hand Soap in D-PAK™ Carton 

Orkla Home & Personal Care is using Elopak’s 750 ml D-PAK™ carton for Lumme brand hand soap refills for the first time in Finland. The carton provides an environmentally friendly alternative to previous plastic refills while offering better value for money. One refill pack is enough for one and a half bottles of hand soap in the “Forest” and “Apple Blossom” fragrances. 

Embleton Hall Dairy, UK
Product:
Pure-Pak® Fresh Classic Kartons

Embleton Hall Dairies chooses Pure-Pak® 

The British dairy Embleton Hall Dairies will fill its school milk in Pure-Pak® cartons from Elopak in the future. Pure-Pak® stands for sustainability and freshness, making milk consumption hygienic and practical for everyday school life. With the new Shikoku filling machine, the dairy can increase capacity and reduce waste. 

Benefit Wellness, UK
Product:
Pure-Pak® Classic Ambient Kartons

British health juice manufacturer The Benefit Brand brings fruity freshness and valuable vitamins to everyday life with a new drink. Filling in Elopak’s sustainable Pure-Pak® Classic Ambient carton guarantees the highest quality. Mango, passion fruit, and carrot strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue, and help regulate hormones.