Elopak switches to renewable-powered aluminium, cutting carton carbon by 8% to 49g CO₂e

EUROPE – Elopak has started using aluminium produced with renewable electricity in its European carton manufacturing, reducing the carbon footprint of its standard ambient cartons from 53g to 49g CO₂e per carton, an 8 percent drop, at plants in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Ukraine.

The change applies to standard ambient cartons made at the group’s European facilities. Based on cradle-to-gate calculations, the carbon footprint of a standard aseptic Pure Pak carton has dropped from 53g to 49g CO₂e per carton. 

The company works only with members of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), which sets standards for responsible aluminium sourcing and environmental performance. 

Elopak also supplies Pure-Pak eSense, an aluminium-free aseptic carton for ambient distribution, intended to further cut emissions and improve recycling outcomes.

Why the Aluminium Layer Matters

Aseptic cartons use a thin aluminium layer as an oxygen and light barrier, essential for shelf life but energy-intensive to produce. 

Traditional aluminium production relies on fossil-fuel-generated electricity. 

By switching to aluminium made with renewable power (hydro, wind, or solar), Elopak addresses the aluminium layer’s emissions without changing barrier performance or requiring customers to modify filling lines. 

The 4g CO₂e reduction per carton is modest per unit but multiplies across billions of cartons annually.

ASI Certification and Responsible Sourcing

Elopak works only with ASI-certified suppliers, ensuring aluminium is sourced from producers meeting environmental, social, and governance criteria. 

ASI certification includes greenhouse gas emissions reduction, waste management, and human rights requirements. 

For brands using Elopak cartons, sourcing from ASI-certified suppliers supports their Scope 3 emissions reporting. 

Emilie Olderskog, Elopak global sustainability head, stated that by sourcing aluminium produced with renewable electricity, the company is taking another concrete step in reducing the climate impact of its packaging materials. 

She noted that the introduction of low-carbon aluminium delivers an immediate and measurable reduction in the footprint of standard ambient cartons, while allowing Elopak to retain the functional properties critical for food protection and shelf life.

Beyond Aluminium: Recycled Polymers and Renewable Electricity

Elopak is developing carton recyclability through changes in materials and product design. Its manufacturing sites and offices run on 100 percent renewable electricity. 

The company recently introduced cartons made with recycled polymers in preparation for forthcoming EU PPWR rules, which mandate recycled content in plastic packaging. 

The aluminium-free Pure-Pak eSense offers an alternative for brands that want to eliminate aluminium entirely, though it is not suitable for all products. Last month, Norway’s Orkla Home & Personal Care introduced Klar laundry products in Nordic markets using D-PAK cartons supplied by Elopak.

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