Elopak introduces the super model of all cartons at Anuga FoodTec 2006, with Slim™.  Modern, elegant, distinctive, the new Slim™ is a design evolution that creates harmony between product and lifestyle.

With its tall and lean design, Slim™ communicates extra health and wellness benefits and triggers a strong emotional response amongst health, fitness, and weight conscious consumers.   The combination of the gable top, the slender slim body and the long Slim™ curve makes it a very harmonious pack.  Slim™ is naturally seen as more feminine and is described by consumers as slim, unique, premium, for quality products, fit, and elegant.
Consumer trends

Health, wellness and weight control are some of the key mega trends that ELOPAK is addressing through its portfolio of packaging solutions.  A large majority of men and women of different age groups recognize that weight management is a major issue in their life and that food-to-drink are directly related to health, weight, and fitness.  Research indicates that two thirds of European women deliberately manage their weight daily to look and feel healthier. For both men and women, these trends have created massive opportunities for added-value beverage and food-to-drink products that are harmonious with these lifestyle choices.

Consumer research by Elopak shows that Slim™ delivers added values of health and fitness and different feelings or emotions as it relates to wellbeing when compared to other packaging options.  Consumers said that it was `nice` and easy to pick-up and hold, because of its thin design which provides a better, ergonomic grip for women and children who have smaller hands, and older people.

A strong intent to buy by consumers was enforced by the communication benefits of the curved panel blended with a totally unique shape. The tall design of the Slim™ creates an elongated, thin curve panel which forms a very powerful communication vehicle for health benefit messages. To the consumer, the association of the thinner curve and shape with health and weight control messages makes sense - it fits. This creates a very effective and credible communication tool that strengthens brand values and stands out on the shelf.

With its smaller footprint of 65 x 65 mm, Slim™ provides an effective logistics benefit, with the ability to fit more cartons on a pallet. As the smaller half and quarter EURO pallet is getting more common with retailers in Europe, this space saving advantage provides real cost efficiencies.

Slim™ is introduced to the market place in pack sizes of 500, 750 and 1000 ml. These cartons are produced on the well-established Pure-Pak® U-S80A aseptic machine, which has undergone minor adjustments for the purpose with a capacity of 8`000 pack/h.  It represents an economic solution that creates added-value to aseptic brands.

As more studies show a direct correlation between purchase intent and positive consumer perceptions of packaging, so marketers across Europe are placing higher importance on packaging solutions as part of the marketing mix. Seen as more critical to a product`s proposition is the emotional value placed on packaging. If a consumer can identify with a product that attaches value to their personal lives, then they are more likely to pay a higher premium, and exhibit brand loyalty. 

About Elopak

Elopak is one of the world`s leading suppliers of packaging systems for liquid food products and develops, manufactures, sells and services complete systems for packaging of non-carbonated liquid food products. In 2005, the company, employing 2,500 staff, had a turnover of NOK 4,8 billion (=ca. €604 Mio.). Elopak is well known as supplier of gable top cartons through its Pure-Pak® system. As a full systems supplier with organizations and associates in more than 40 countries and customers in over 100, the Elopak Group seeks to bring its international expertise and product technology to new markets and applications.