Greiner Launches 3D Cardboard Packaging for Custom-Shaped Cups

Greiner Packaging’s site in Diepoldsau, Switzerland has taken a major step forward in sustainable packaging with the launch of K3® D – an innovative 3D cardboard wrap that allows deformation in the third dimension. This advancement opens up new creative possibilities for fibre-based cup packaging, especially in high-impact markets like dairy where visual appeal is key.

In German, K3® refers to Karton-Kunststoff-Kombinationen – meaning cardboard-plastic combination – while the “D” represents deformability, highlighting the wrap’s ability to mould around 3D contours.

Flexible 3D Packaging for Non-Standard Cup Shapes

Previously, decorative sleeves were the only viable solution for shaped plastic cups. With K3® D, Greiner Packaging introduces a way to decorate uniquely shaped cups with diameters between 68 and 75 mm using a moulded cardboard wrap that hugs complex forms.

The innovation retains the lightweight, sustainable benefits of standard K3® fibre-based packaging while providing significantly more design flexibility.

“K3® D provides far more design latitude for cup packaging. This will especially benefit our dairy sector clients who want their products to truly stand out at point of sale,” says Kenneth Boldog, Head of Division K at Greiner Packaging.

Tactile Finish and Premium Print Quality

Like classic K3® solutions, K3® D supports double-sided offset printing with up to six colours per side. This allows brands to use the inner wrap for promotional messaging or compliance labelling, while the outer side delivers striking shelf presence.

The natural surface texture of the wrap provides a warm, paper-like feel, offering a tactile experience that aligns with premium product positioning.

Eco-Friendly and UK Retail Ready

Much of the K3® wrap is made from renewable or recycled cardboard, significantly reducing plastic content, CO2 output, and overall weight. This makes K3® D an ideal solution for brands seeking more eco-conscious packaging options while optimising transport energy efficiency.

K3® has already seen success across Europe in a range of pack sizes and formats. The Diepoldsau site remains central to Greiner’s sustainable innovation strategy, driving the evolution of fit-to-product 3D packaging that meets the needs of modern brands and consumers alike.