Elopak, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, in collaboration with long-standing partner Orkla Home and Personal Care (OHPC) and materials science giant Dow, has launched a ground-breaking innovation: D-PAK cartons made with a unique blend of circular (recycled) and bio-circular (renewable) polyethylene polymers. This industry first marks a significant step forward in the transition towards circular packaging solutions.
In anticipation of the forthcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will mandate the inclusion of recycled content in plastic components by 2030, Elopak and OHPC are proactively embracing innovation to meet future requirements and market demand.
The D-PAK cartons, now available across the Nordic countries, are set to become the standard packaging for OHPC’s leading brands, such as Klar, OMO and Comfort, which include products like laundry detergent and fabric softener.
100% circular mindset, certified materials
The new D-PAK cartons are made from responsibly sourced board and are coated with a thin layer of polyethylene (PE) composed of:
- 10% post-consumer recycled (PCR) circular PE
- 90% bio-circular PE derived from renewable waste sources such as used cooking oil
Both types of PE are certified via a third-party mass balance chain of custody, ensuring full traceability and compliance with sustainability standards.
We are the first to offer this combination of circular and bio-circular materials,” said Emilie Olderskog, Elopak’s Director of Sustainability. “It’s a major step forward in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving our Scope 3 target of a 25% reduction in indirect emissions.
A partnership focused on the future
Elopak began filling OHPC products into D-PAK cartons in 2020, starting with refill formats for liquid soap and laundry detergent under the Klar brand. These refills proved so popular that over 1,000 people signed up to a waiting list after stocks ran out. Since then, an increasing number of OHPC brands have been distributed in Elopak cartons, both as primary packaging and refill formats designed for in-home use.
We’ve seen a clear preference from consumers for Elopak’s sustainable cartons,” added Anne Marheim Støren, OHPC’s Director of Sustainability. “Introducing circular PE as standard helps us deliver even stronger results on sustainability priorities and ensures we’re well-prepared for upcoming EU regulations.
Dow’s enabling role
A key contributor to the project is Dow, which supplies both circular and bio-circular polymers for the new packaging solution.
We’re proud to support Elopak and OHPC with innovative polymer technologies that promote a circular economy and lower carbon emissions, said Marian Gmenta, Marketing Lead for Circular & Renewable Solutions at Dow.
A new benchmark for sustainable packaging
Elopak customers can now choose to include this polymer blend in all packaging solutions – including both boards and closures. Circular PE will always be paired with bio-circular polymers, in line with Elopak’s roadmap to further reduce its overall carbon footprint.
By enhancing the durability of its cartons and innovating today for tomorrow’s standards, Elopak is reaffirming its role as a pioneer in sustainable packaging, offering practical solutions to support the shift towards a low-carbon, circular economy.
