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Why Is Liquid Carton Packaging Becoming More Common on Store Shelves?

Feb 262 min read

Updated: Feb 28

Across the EU, food, household, and personal hygiene products are increasingly transitioning to liquid carton packaging, similar to milk cartons. Several factors drive this shift.


A refill pack of liquid hand soap on the store shelf.

Consumer Habits Have Changed:


  • 66% of consumers consider themselves environmentally conscious.

  • 59% actively seek information on the recyclability or sustainability of packaging.

  • 82% are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. (Trivium, Buying Green Report 2023)


EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation Promotes Sustainable and Recyclable Packaging:


  • The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets strict targets for reducing packaging waste, particularly plastic packaging waste. It also aims to enhance packaging recyclability.

  • The regulation bans the use of slow-degrading PFAS and BPA compounds in food packaging from 2023 onwards. BPA-free liquid carton packaging serves as an alternative to metal cans. (Council of the EU)

  • Carbon neutrality goals push companies to adopt biodegradable packaging solutions, which minimize packaging weight and volume.


Advances in Packaging Technology:


  • Over the past 30 years, liquid carton packaging has reduced its weight by up to 20% while maintaining its protective properties.

  • Today, the plastic content in liquid carton packaging has dropped significantly, to well below 10%.

  • Even the caps of liquid carton packaging are now designed to be recycled along with the packaging, allowing the plastic to be utilized as an energy source in the recycling process (Bioeconomy.fi)


Benefits of Liquid Carton Packaging:


  • Liquid carton packaging generally reduces carbon footprint compared to plastic bottles.

  • Modern liquid carton packaging is fully recyclable. (Elopak)

  • The packaging’s square shape allows for efficient, eco-friendly secondary packaging, transportation, and storage.


As liquid carton packaging becomes more prevalent, production technology has evolved to support modern food and chemical industries with sophisticated automation systems.


Automated machinery performing wrap-around packaging on a group of white liquid cartons in an industrial setting.
Orfer WA 30 FLEX packaging group of liwuid cartons to a wrap-around packaging

Orfer provides smart automation systems for secondary packaging and internal logistics of liquid carton packaging, including wrap-around case packers, trolley packing machines, and robotic palletizing systems. By utilizing Orfer’s automation solutions, companies can reduce waste by optimizing secondary packaging and logistics

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