No aluminum layer in Tetra Pak – Elopak, The Pure-Pak eSense
The Elopak is today announcing the more environmentally friendly aseptic carton, this Pure-Pak eSense.
E stands for Eco-Friendly
The latest Pure-Pak eSense is the same shape as the consumer-friendly Pure-Pak Sense Aseptic carton, with the ‘e standing for eco-friendly.
It has been produced using technology from Elopak’s new portfolio, which indicates the carton can preserve product integrity, safety, and lifespan without needing an aluminum layer commonly used in aseptic packaging. The removal of the aluminum layer results in a decrease of the carbon footprint of the carton by 28% while facilitating complete recyclability.
Explaining the announcement, the Elopak CMO Patrick Verhelst stated, “Today brands and consumers are constantly watching for new ways to further decrease their environmental footprint, without compromising on functionality. We are delighted to add this latest innovation to our offering and present our customers in the aseptic section with an equal more sustainable packaging solution.”
“This innovation has been created possible because of Elopak’s decades of knowledge, the determination and struggles of our technical experts, and our company-wide dedication to advancing sustainability,” he continued.
Net-zero circular economy in Tetra Pak Packaging
The Pure-Pak eSense carton has been produced according to Elopak’s ambitions to contribute to a net-zero circular economy. The Elopak is on a mission to replace plastic bottles with completely renewable, low-carbon cartons that give a natural, sustainable, and convenient option.
Placing out the importance of the development, Elopak’s Director Sustainability Marianne Groven stated, “the Elopak is on a journey to enhance even more sustainability, both as a company and through the cartons we produce. Over time we have continuously updated the environmental profile of our cartons. For example, between 2014 and 2020, we reached a reduction in the carbon footprint of an average carton with a closure from 32 g CO2e to 25 gCO2e.”
LCA of Tetra Pak Packaging
“Life Cycle Assessments have described that beverage cartons then have strong environmental credentials when compared to options such as plastic bottles. They also play a significant role in keeping products safe and reducing food waste, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The addition of the Pure-Pak eSense carton to our offering is necessary because it means our customers in the aseptic segment will also be able to choose an aluminum-free option,” she proceeded.
Why not Aluminium Layer?
“Aluminium is a finite natural resource, suggesting it does not replenish over time. In appreciation, the extraction and production of aluminum are relatively energy-intensive and thus has a bigger carbon footprint compared to the different materials in beverage cartons,” Groven explained.
Elopak already offers customers many sustainability-focused innovations such as Natural Brown Board cartons across new and aseptic sections. These are renewable, recyclable, and have a deeper carbon footprint per carton owing to reduced wood consumption and the exclusion of the bleaching process.
The Elopak also gives cartons without a cap for chilled beverages. The Pure-Pak Imagine carton is a modern variant of the company’s original Pure-Pak carton, launched in 2020. Produced with an easy-open feature, it contains 46 percent less plastic and is available as fully forest-based.
