In the chilled beverages space, Elopak says the mini carton format is providing more opportunities in areas such as dairy and plant-based drinks. In this Spotlight, the company explains how its chilled machine portfolio helps producers keep pace and highlights its new filling machine for mini Pure Pak® cartons.
Keeping it simple
Across Europe, chilled liquid foods are seeing more variety, more niche launches and more short-run production. For producers and co-packers, that can translate into a familiar set of questions. How do we introduce new pack sizes without adding complexity? How do we protect product quality while ensuring efficiency? And how do we build flexibility into the line, so it remains valuable as the portfolio evolves?
That’s where “right-sized” capability matters. It’s not only about maximum speed. It’s about selecting the equipment and support that helps operators run reliably day after day and scale up or switch over when the next product idea becomes a priority. Faster, more controlled changeovers between products mean less loss between runs, which is increasingly relevant as portfolios fragment.
Mini cartons: small pack, big strategic value
Mini cartons help brands create convenient, portion-controlled formats for a wide range of chilled applications, from milk and drinkable dairy to plant-based drinks, fruit juices and water. They can also support sampling, meal deals and on-the-go occasions where a compact pack size makes the difference at the point of sale.
But new formats only work if they run smoothly on the filling line. That means stable handling, consistent filling accuracy and a hygienic setup that supports chilled production needs, without slowing teams down when it’s time to switch products or volumes.
An integrated approach: Elopak’s chilled machine portfolio
Elopak’s chilled machine portfolio is built to help customers manage variety with confidence. The focus is practical: equipment that supports reliable daily operation, predictable output and the flexibility to introduce new carton formats as product portfolios evolve.
Just as importantly, performance is a lifetime question. From line planning and commissioning to training and service support, the goal is to help operators keep the line running and maintain high quality standards, even as products, volumes and market demands change.
Filling mini Pure Pak® cartons at up to 7,000 cartons/hour
An even stronger offering comes from a validated, integrated system solution designed to support consistent product quality. The new filling machine developed for our mini Pure Pak® carton range supports volumes from 200ml to 500ml.
With capacity of up to 7,000 cartons per hour, it is suitable for a wide range of chilled applications, including milk, plant-based drinks, fruit juices and water. The high hygiene level of the machine can support a shelf-life extension of more than 60 days for our mini carton range.
Longer shelf life is also where operational performance meets sustainability. Around a third of all food globally is lost or wasted, contributing around 8–10% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. By helping extend time to spoilage, ultra-clean filling can help more product reach consumers, supporting less waste across the value chain. As brands seek measurable environmental, social and governance gains beyond packaging, the filling line is becoming an important part of that impact story.
Mini cartons are only “small” in pack size. For chilled brands, they can be a practical way to add new consumption occasions, provided the filling line is built to run them efficiently and reliably. With Elopak’s chilled machine portfolio, we’re helping customers bring mini formats into production with the performance and confidence they need.
This content was sponsored by Elopak.
