Global packaging company Elopak, its long-term customer Orkla Home and Personal Care (OHPC), and Dow, a global leader in materials science, have rolled out a new line of D-PAK™ cartons. This new line contains a unique mix of circular (recycled) polyethylene and bio-circular (renewable) polymers.  

The upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) mandates incorporating recycled content in the plastic fraction by 2030. Elopak and OHPC are proactively leading the way, demonstrating a shared commitment to addressing market requirements. 

The D-PAK™ cartons, which are set to become standard across all OHPC products packaged by Elopak, are available throughout the Nordics from this month. This includes iconic brands such as Klar, OMO and Comfort, offering products such as laundry detergent and fabric softener.  

D-PAK™ cartons are made from responsibly sourced paperboard, coated with thin layers of polymers to protect the product inside and prevent waste. The thin plastic layer in the new D-PAK™ cartons will initially contain 10% post-consumer circular polyethylene (PE). The other 90% of the PE fraction will be supplied from bio-circular polymers sourced from vegetable-based waste, such as used cooking oil. Both are sourced and produced through a certified third-party mass balance chain of custody. 

"We are early movers in offering this mix of circular and bio-circular materials, showcasing our commitment to circularity and to significantly reduce GHG emissions in line with our Scope 3 -25% target," said Emilie Olderskog, Director of Sustainability at Elopak. "This reinforces Elopak’s position as a sustainability frontrunner." 

“Elopak cartons are already a sustainable packaging choice, circular and bio-circular. The inclusion of circular PE now helps to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfill, supporting the transition to a circular economy where recycled waste materials replace virgin materials,” she added. 

Elopak started packaging OHPC products in D-PAK™ cartons in 2020, first filling Klar brand liquid soap and laundry detergent into carton refill packs. These carton refills sold out in record time and over 1,000 people joined an online waitlist. Since then, more OHPC brands are being packaged in Elopak cartons, both as primary packaging and refill packs that can be poured into a container at home.  

“Across all our brands we have seen a strong consumer preference for Elopak’s sustainable cartons,” said Anne Marheim Støren, Sustainability Director at Orkla Home and Personal Care. “Introducing circular PE as a standard allows us to deliver even more robustly on our customers’ sustainability priorities, as well as ensure that our business is proactively prepared for the upcoming EU regulation on recycled content,” she added.  

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with Elopak and their partner Orkla Home and Personal Care. We are committed to being the partner of choice in providing innovative bio-circular and circular polymers that can help support the shift towards a lower carbon and circular economy and drive readiness well ahead of legislative targets,” said Marian Gmenta, Marketing Lead Circular & Renewable Solutions at Dow. 

Elopak’s customers can now choose to include this mix of circular and bio-circular polymers in all Elopak offerings valid for both blanks and closures. The circular PE will always be combined with bio-circular polymers, in line with Elopak’s plan to further reduce its carbon footprint.  

By enhancing the future-proofness of its cartons today, Elopak is proactively preparing for upcoming regulations.