What Carlton Packaging does

Carlton Packaging is a UK-headquartered designer and supplier of packaging materials and supply-chain solutions for enterprise fulfillment operations, online retailers, and businesses across food service, medical, retail, and industrial sectors. The legal entity Carlton Packaging LLP (registered in England and Wales, OC380622) operates from Bedford, with a parallel US corporation (Carlton Packaging INC, Westwood MA, registration 36-5018327) supporting North American operations. The company has been operating for approximately 30 years under a proprietary methodology called "The Smarter Way," which combines smarter products, smarter processes, and smarter service.

The product portfolio centres on proprietary sustainable packaging innovations, including RapiReturn (a tamper-evident, glue-free, 100% recyclable returnable e-commerce box), wrapX (an ultra-lightweight stretch film system with a 400g carbon-fibre dispenser claiming up to 65% film reduction), Xtaper (described as the world's first handheld automatic paper tape dispenser), Rapicell protective paper wrap, Rapisac mailing bags, Bio-Seal paper tape, Tidal Tape (70% post-consumer-waste recycled tape), and Evobag sort and delivery bags. These products are complemented by Ordersmart, a proprietary B2B online portal for packaging supply management, and a service layer covering global supply consolidation, stockholding with fast delivery, in-house product design, prototyping, site audits, and reporting/compliance support.

Revenue is generated primarily through enterprise field sales via dedicated account managers serving multi-site international organisations with bespoke, quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. This is supplemented by the Ordersmart portal for mid-market transactional business. The company explicitly positions as "one of the largest independent global packaging suppliers" and has executed US market expansion in 2024 (warehouse distribution centres, dedicated US team and website), a 2026 strategic partnership with Greenly for carbon accounting, and ongoing product innovation supporting a sustainability-led value proposition recognised by the Bronze Sustainable Packaging Business of the Year 2025 award.

Name

Carlton Packaging

Legal name

Carlton Packaging LLP

Website

https://carltonpackaging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carlton Packaging is a UK-based designer and supplier of sustainable packaging materials and supply solutions for global enterprise fulfillment operations, online retailers, and food, medical, retail, and industrial businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Supplies

NAICS

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap) (IMALACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flexible Paper Packaging & Wraps (kraft wrap, pouches, laminations) (IMAMAHAF), Paper Bags & Sacks (Multiwall, SOS, Grocery) (IMALACAD), Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable packaging supplies
• Ecommerce packaging materials
• Fulfillment packaging solutions
• Protective paper wrap
• Stretch film systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton Keynes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Smart Packaging Products: Carlton designs, manufactures and supplies a range of proprietary and sourced packaging products including specialty tapes (Rapitape, Tidal Tape, Bio-Seal), stretch films (wrapX, Rapistretch), protective paper wraps (Rapicell), mailing bags (Rapisac, Evobag), and e-commerce boxes (RapiReturn). Products are sold directly to fulfillment operations, online retailers, and businesses across multiple sectors worldwide.
2. Ordersmart Online Portal: A B2B e-commerce portal enabling clients to order and manage their packaging supply. Serves online retailers and fulfilment operations across Europe with access to a full range of innovative packaging systems.
3. Smarter Services: Service offerings including global supply solution, product stockholding with fast delivery, in-house product design, reporting and compliance support, consumer insights, and automation reviews. Services support the product sales motion and deepen client relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Carlton Packaging designs, manufactures, and supplies a proprietary range of sustainable packaging products for fulfillment operations and online retailers. The portfolio includes branded tapes, stretch films, mailing bags, protective paper wraps, sort/delivery bags, returnable e-commerce boxes, and the world's first handheld automatic paper tape dispenser, supported by global supply consolidation, stockholding, in-house product design, and the Ordersmart B2B ordering portal.

Product overview

Carlton Packaging is a global designer and supplier of smarter packaging materials and processes. The company's product portfolio centers on sustainable packaging solutions for fulfillment operations worldwide, featuring proprietary branded products including Rapisac (mailing bags), Rapicell (protective paper wrap), Bio-Seal (paper tape), Rapitape (packaging tape), Tidal Tape (70% recycled packaging tape), Xtaper (world's first automatic paper tape dispenser), wrapX (pallet stretch wrap), Evobag (sort and delivery bags), and RapiReturn (tamper-evident returnable e-commerce box). The company also offers the Rapitape Pro Dispenser as an add-on accessory. These products are supported by services including global supply solutions, product stockholding with fast delivery, in-house product design, reporting and compliance support, and the OrderSmart online ordering portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RapiReturn: Groundbreaking, tamper-evident, fully returnable e-commerce box that eliminates need for tape and is glue-free, offering environmental benefits and reduced material usage.
• Rapisac
• Rapicell
• Bio-Seal
• Rapitape
• Tidal Tape
• Xtaper
• wrapX
• Evobag
• Ordersmart

Products and services

• Rapisac Mailing Bags Revolutionary mailing bag designed to enhance packing speed while minimizing mess. Ideal for high-volume fulfillment operations, it helps reduce waste and boosts productivity for online retailers and distribution centers.
• Rapicell Protective Paper Wrap Protective paper wrap that minimizes plastic use without compromising product protection, providing an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap for companies looking to reduce environmental impact while maintaining safety standards.
• Bio-Seal Paper Tape Paper tape with sustainable credentials that provides ultimate security, offering an eco-friendly sealing choice for businesses reinforcing their commitment to sustainable practices.
• Rapitape Packaging Tape One of the most popular packaging tapes globally, offering unmatched performance for sealing cartons and ensuring security and strength during transport for businesses and fulfillment operations.
• Tidal Tape Recycled Packaging Tape Recycled packaging tape made from 70% post-consumer waste (PCW), providing an ideal sealing solution for businesses looking to reduce their plastic footprint while reusing and recycling materials.
• Xtaper Paper Tape Dispenser The world's first handheld automatic paper tape dispenser, designed to make the use of biodegradable paper tape as seamless and efficient as possible, enabling every box sealing operator worldwide to use paper tape.
• wrapX Ultra-Lightweight Stretch Film System Pioneering ultra-lightweight stretch film system with a 400g carbon-fibre dispenser featuring adjustable locking tension, magnetic mounts, skid plate, and ergonomic forward-movement design. Reduces film usage by up to 65% per pallet compared to traditional films, using the 212 wrap technique to improve load stability.
• Evobag Sort & Delivery Bags Sort and delivery bags designed to increase the flexibility and robustness of fulfillment operations, making it easier to manage deliveries without compromising strength or efficiency.
• RapiReturn Tamper-Evident Returnable E-commerce Box Groundbreaking, tamper-evident, fully returnable e-commerce box that eliminates the need for tape and is entirely glue-free. Features a hammerhead-style locking mechanism creating a secure tamper-evident seal, is 100% recyclable, adaptable to various box styles, and suitable for both outbound shipment and return journeys.
• Ordersmart B2B Online Packaging Supply Portal Client-oriented online packaging supply management portal enabling registered clients to order and manage their packaging supply online. Serves online retailers and fulfilment operations across Europe, providing access to the full range of Carlton Packaging's innovative packaging systems.
• Smarter Services - Global Supply, Stockholding & Design Service offerings including global supply consolidation, product stockholding with fast delivery, in-house product design, reporting and compliance support, consumer insights, automation reviews, pack testing and prototyping, site audits, and implementation planning. Services support product sales and deepen relationships with fulfillment operations and enterprise clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 65% reduction in stretch film usage per pallet using wrapX Elite film compared to traditional films
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GreenlycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Carlton Packaging announced a strategic partnership with Greenly, a carbon accounting and climate management platform, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. The collaboration enables Carlton to enhance environmental reporting capabilities, gain deeper visibility into its carbon footprint, and identify opportunities to reduce emissions across operations and supply chain. Greenly provides robust carbon data and actionable insights supporting continuous improvement and transparency. Lucy Bosten, Head of Marketing and Communications at Carlton Packaging, stated that the partnership reflects their ongoing commitment to driving meaningful environmental progress.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pregis: Protective packaging manufacturer offering paper-, foam- and air-based solutions including automated systems for fulfillment operations. Directly comparable to Carlton's wrapX and protective packaging offering.
• Sealed Air: Protective and food packaging specialist with product lines including Bubble Wrap, Cryovac, and automated packing systems. Comparable to Carlton as a fulfillment packaging supplier with overlap on stretch film and protective packaging.
• Raja Group: European distributor of packaging supplies including boxes, mailing bags, tapes, and protective packaging across multiple European markets. Comparable to Carlton as a multi-country European packaging distributor with a sustainability agenda.
• Ranpak: Specialist in paper-based protective packaging (wraps, void fill, cushioning) replacing plastic and bubble wrap. Directly comparable to Carlton's Rapicell and broader sustainable protective packaging portfolio and is also pursuing the plastic-to-paper substitution thesis.
• Kite Packaging: UK-based packaging distributor offering a broad range of boxes, tapes, wraps, and protective packaging to e-commerce and fulfillment customers. Highly comparable UK packaging supplier competing in the same customer base.
• Storopack: German-headquartered protective packaging manufacturer producing paper-based void fill, air pillows, and foam. Comparable to Carlton on protective paper substitutes and serves similar European e-commerce/fulfillment customers.

Emerging players

• noissue: Smaller sustainable packaging supplier focused on ecommerce brands with compostable mailers and custom branded packaging. Comparable to Carlton's sustainable packaging positioning but operating at a much smaller scale and targeting a different customer segment.

Broad incumbents

• Mondi: Integrated paper and packaging group producing kraft paper, corrugated packaging, and flexible paper-based packaging. Comparable substrate set to Carlton and a leading player in sustainable paper packaging substitution.
• DS Smith: International paper packaging manufacturer focused on corrugated and recycled packaging solutions. Comparable to Carlton as a UK-headquartered paper packaging supplier serving fulfillment and e-commerce customers at much larger scale.
• Smurfit Kappa: Global paper-based packaging giant operating across corrugated, folding cartons, and specialty paper packaging. Comparable to Carlton in paper packaging substrate but at vastly larger scale with much broader product breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CarltonPack1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carlton-packaging-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carlton Packaging