Driving Sustainability with the Carlsberg cardboard multipack: Unique Launch in Poland 2024
In a significant advancement for sustainable packaging, Carlsberg is set to introduce a groundbreaking cardboard multipack in the Polish market this year. This launch is the result of a strategic partnership between the global brewer, packaging leader DS Smith, and engineering specialist KHS. The new solution will house 20- and 24-packs of glass bottles for popular brands such as Carlsberg, Garage, and Somersby, replacing traditional plastic crates with a more renewable alternative.
Design Innovation and Environmental Responsibility
The new multipack features a visually distinct design with rounded corners, a development made possible by SCA’s patented Arcwise® technology. This innovative shape is not merely for shelf appeal; it is a core component of the packaging’s enhanced performance and environmental benefits. By moving to this cardboard solution, Carlsberg is taking a concrete step in its ongoing mission to reduce its environmental footprint, beginning with its Polish operations.
Quantifiable Reductions in Waste and Emissions
The environmental impact of this transition is substantial and measurable. According to data from the project partners, the optimized design requires up to 20% less material than standard corrugated multipacks. This efficiency translates into a significant carbon saving, with projections indicating a reduction in COâ‚‚ equivalent emissions of up to 24%. For the Polish market alone, this initiative is expected to eliminate approximately 224 metric tons of COâ‚‚ annually.
Furthermore, the rounded-corner design enhances pallet stability during shipping. This increased sturdiness reduces the need for plastic stretch film to secure loads, delivering another crucial reduction in plastic waste across the supply chain. The entire packaging system is fully recyclable, aligning with circular economy principles.
A Blueprint for Efficient Modernization
A key aspect of this project is its clever integration with existing infrastructure. The new cardboard packs will be processed on KHS’s Innopack Kisters WP Advanced packer, demonstrating how cutting-edge sustainable solutions can be implemented without a complete overhaul of production lines. This successful collaboration has created a resource-efficient solution that combines superior functionality with a markedly smaller environmental impact. Following trials that began in June 2024, this Polish launch serves as a powerful precedent for future packaging innovations across the beverage industry.
Sources
- DS Smith on Packaging Europe
- DS Smith and Carlsberg Partnership on Packaging Europe
- Carlsberg Group: Latvia Deposit Return Scheme
- Carlsberg Group: Drinking from Wooden Cups
- DS Smith Partners with Carlsberg in Poland
- Resource-efficient cardboard pack | KHS Group
- Carlsberg Trials DS Smith Round Wrap in Poland
- DS Smith, KHS and Carlsberg Sustainable Pack on Plastech.biz
