OCEANIA –Norwegian carton packaging and filling equipment supplier Elopak ASA is strengthening its position in Oceania with a new licensing partnership with Nippon Paper.
Nippon Paper is the largest liquid packaging producer in Japan and is also one of the leading packaging companies in Oceania through its subsidiary business, Opal.
Under the license agreement, Nippon Paper will produce and sell Elopak’s lineup of Pure-Pak packaging for liquid food and beverage products worldwide and introduce them to the Oceania region.
The licensing agreement aligns with Elopak’s ambitions to pursue new business opportunities in existing and new markets across both fresh and aseptic markets.
It will leverage the technological capabilities and innovation of both companies to pursue new business opportunities in the Oceania region.
According to the statement, particular focus will be given to Australia and New Zealand where population growth and domestic demand are rising.
Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi said, “We are delighted to be announcing this latest collaboration with Nippon Paper, which is an important step in driving forward our growth strategy as a company.
Given our established track record of working together, we are uniquely well-positioned to deliver for customers in the region.”
The license agreement will also further promote the transition away from plastic for chilled liquid beverages which is one of Elopak’s top goals.
Nippon Paper managing executive officer and general manager of Paper-Pak sales division Yasuhito Obayashi said, “We are pleased to be working with Elopak to meet the rising demand for sustainable packaging in the Oceania region and supporting customers to transition from plastic bottles to cartons.
We look forward to jointly leveraging our extensive experience and strengths to promote and deliver renewable, low carbon solutions.”
This will not be the first partnership between Elopak and Nippon as the two companies have worked together for many years.
In March 2016, they signed a product licensing agreement allowing Nippon Paper to manufacture and sell certain Pure-Pak cartons in Japan.
When Elopak was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in June 2021, Nippon Paper entered into a cornerstone agreement to acquire shares equivalent to 5% of the share capital.
In January 2022, the two companies also signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their partnership and advance collaborative efforts in the field of liquid-paper packaging.
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