Category:
November 9, 2020
Packaging by Nature – Protecting nature and the environment
The way our Pure-Pak® cartons are sourced and produced offers environmental advantages that other packaging types cannot match. Pure-Pak® is already superior to PET and HDPE and with our ambition to offer our full packaging portfolio from 100% renewable resources we will further reduce the ecological footprint.
Protection of nature and biodiversity
Forests are complex ecosystems and the most important influencing factor of the global climate along with the oceans.
Not only us human beings need and appreciate the forest as a recreational space, raw material supplier, air conditioning system and – especially in the mountains – as life insurance against avalanches, mudflows and flooding. For countless species of animals, plants and fungi, the forest is the habitat that offers them food, shelter and protection.
Our forests provide habitats and refuge for up to 14,000 animal species and 6,000 plant species. It is important to us to preserve these essential habitats.
Not only us human beings need and appreciate the forest as a recreational space, raw material supplier, air conditioning system and – especially in the mountains – as life insurance against avalanches, mudflows and flooding. For countless species of animals, plants and fungi, the forest is the habitat that offers them food, shelter and protection.
Our forests provide habitats and refuge for up to 14,000 animal species and 6,000 plant species. It is important to us to preserve these essential habitats.
Environmentally friendly by nature
The origin of our main raw material plays a major role for us. Of course, we must ensure that these raw materials are sourced sustainably and that they are also available for future generations in sufficient quantities.
Sustainable forest management ensures that more trees are planted than are cut down. At least three new seedlings are planted for every tree harvested.
Most of our packaging is already made of wood, a renewable raw material.
Forest knowledge
Air conditioning and vacuum cleaner
The roots of an oak suck around 40,000 liters of water from the soil every year, which the leaves “sweat out” again. The evaporative cooling generated this way ensures that it is pleasantly cool in the forest even on hot summer days. There may be differences of 3° to 6°C compared to the open air and 4° to 8°C compared to cities. In addition, it filters around a ton of dust and pollutants from the air every year, so it works like an oversized vacuum cleaner. The air in the forest therefore contains up to 100 times less dust than the air in large cities.
Green lung
The forest in Germany produces around 25 to 38 million tons of oxygen every year. This is about one to one and a half times the amount that all German residents need to breathe in a year.
More than 40% (177 million hectares) of the land area of the 27 EU countries is covered with forest
With around 11.4 million hectares of forest, Germany is one of the most heavily wooded countries in the European Union. This area corresponds to almost one third of the entire country.
Older than Methuselah
In the summer of 2016, a Mainz research team found a stately old tree: the "Adonis" pine in the Greek Pindos Mountains at 2,000 meters above sea level is exactly 1,075 years old.
Habitat for 14,000 animal species an 6,000 plant species
Where do all these species live in the forest? Insects meke up the majority with three quarters. Vertebrates only make up 2% of the native fauna. Therefore, most of the forest-dwelling animal species remain hidden from forest visitors. This is no surprise since they live, for example, in the crown area of the trees, in the wood and under the bark as well as in the litter and humus layer.
Sustainable forestryFSC® seal for good forests and good wood
The manufacture of our products is subject to a traceability system along the wood supply chain, which is audited by an independent party according to FSC® certification schemes. Our raw material is sourced from FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources in Northern Europe.
What’s behind the FSC® seal?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) has defined criteria and principles for responsible forest management. According to these, it awards a seal of quality for managed forests and products. The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that was founded in 1993 as a result of the environmental summit in Rio de Janeiro. Today the FSC® is active in over 80 countries with national working groups, the headquarters are in Bonn. Sustainable and conscientious use of wood, as guaranteed by FSC® certification, can safeguard the forest in its existence by giving it economic value. Responsible forest management according to the principles of the FSC® promotes the preservation of ecological diversity, sustainable development and the improvement of social standards. We make sure that more trees are planted than are cut down.
Renewable raw materials
75% renewable content
The higher the renewable content, the lower is the ecological footprint
The high share of renewable materials of around 75% in our Pure-Pak® is by far not enough for us!
The high share of renewable materials of around 75% in our Pure-Pak® is by far not enough for us!
100% based on wood
We therefore offer plastic barrier and closure from renewable resources based on tall oil, a residue from pulp and paper production.
At a glance: The advantages of plastics based on tall oil
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-based PE
Residue from pulp and paper production
Sourced from sustainably managed Nordic forests
Not in competition to the cultivation of food plants
Use of the mass balance system
ISCC PLUS-certified supply chain
Renewable PE is chemically identical to fossil-based PE
No changes needed to fit existing production, filling processes and recycling streams.
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New on the shelf
The Bridge S.R.L, Italy
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense AsepticThe Bridge S.R.L. is launching Veg Egg, its first plant-based egg alternative, in a 500ml Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic package on the Italian market. Veg Egg combines taste and sustainability and is in line with the trend toward plant-based nutrition. The fully recyclable Elopak packaging also offers convenience and environmental benefits.
SILL Enterprises, France
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic SILL Enterprises has launched an apple juice in a 1000ml Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic carton in natural brown board under the Auchan brand in France. The apples come from Brittany and are free from pesticide residues. The natural brown board carton causes 92 percent less CO₂ than a glass bottle and ensures a sustainable brand profile.
Malo Dairy, France
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense AsepticIn February 2025, dairy company Malo Dairy launched UHT milk in 1000ml Pure-Pak® Sense cartons on the French market for the first time under the Lait de Bretagne brand. Made from milk from grass-fed cows and filled on an Elopak aseptic filling line installed in 2024, Malo Dairy is setting an example for quality and sustainability.
Coop, Denmark
Product:
Pure-Pak® Natural Brown BoardCoop Denmark is setting new standards in sustainability: its own-brand yogurts are now available in 1000ml Pure-Pak® Natural Brown Board with Easy Opening. This means that Coop will be getting rid of around six million caps per year, saving 17 tons of plastic and 48 tons of CO₂ annually.