The Swedish company Svenska Kramfabriken set a challenging sustainability agenda when introducing their Green Pledge.

Taking away all plastic used in the production was one core initiative. Thanks to wood fiber-based materials and packaging automation, 15 tonnes of plastic waste is saved, 22 truckloads spared and 10% less energy used per year.

The company Svenska Kramfabriken, translated the Swedish Lotion Factory, is the market leading manufacturer of beauty, health, and wellness products. They are selling their products through retailers but as a forerunner within sustainability, they have taken a Green PIedge that covers their entire value chain.

The Green Pledge states the intent to minimize carbon emissions in packaging, distribution and transportation. And, to take away all the plastic used in production. They also wanted to introduce a fully automated production line to improve productivity and the physical work environment.

But let's start from the beginning. Svenska Kramfabriken used to send their products in plastic boxes and the employees did the packing of the products manually. Since the demand for their products is high, packing and raising boxes is a busy job. To make the work environment better and the packing more efficient they set out to introduce an automated packaging line.

Svenska Kramfabriken also wanted to find a low carbon material for the boxes used to send products to retailers. Having the retailers in mind, they wanted the box to be highly practical as well. Since the retailers unpack and repack for their own customers, the boxes need to be easy to work with.

All boxes ticked one supplier

'This was a perfect project for us. Since we have the material they were looking for, we sell packaging machines and we have the knowledge and resources to develop custom-made packaging', says Elisabeth Gyllengren, Account Manager Industry at Stora Enso.

Stora Enso worked together with Svenska Kramfabriken and developed a customized and plastic-free packaging from corrugated board, designed to ship as little air as possible. The packaging generates zero plastic waste and has been produced to be easily opened and recycled which in turn speeds up the logistics for all parties. Stora Enso also delivered and installed a Wrap-Around machine.

'We are super happy with the cooperation, and we ticked all the boxes on our specification for this project. To get the entire solution from one supplier, all the way from box to packaging automation, simplifies a lot', says Johan Mattsson, CEO & Co-founder.

Results of collaboration

A plastic-free, recyclable and renewable box, and a new smart way of packing products in the box to save space

Reduced use of plastic in wholesale packaging by 15 tonnes per year

Saving space on pallets by 10-30%, saving 22 truckloads per year

10% lower energy use in production per year (equals 150 MWh)

Improved work environment with a Wrap-Around machine

Great customer response. The new packaging is easier to work with and it helps Svenska Kramfabriken's customers within e-commerce in efficiency, warehouse space and recycling

'I'm proud that this new solution is not only good for us and the planet but it also benefits our customers and the whole value chain,' Johan Mattsson ends.