What Detpak does

Detpak South Africa is a paper and cardboard packaging manufacturer established in 1981, jointly owned by Mpact (51%, JSE-listed) and the Detmold Group (49%). It operates a BRCGS-certified production facility in Aeroton, Johannesburg, supplying over 1,000 stock SKUs and custom-printed packaging to the foodservice, retail, and industrial markets. The product portfolio spans bags, cups, cartons, wraps, and specialty items including the proprietary Ripple-Wrap™ hot cup, the Detpak Paper Lid (83% single-use plastic reduction), the Enveloop paper courier bag, and a fluted/corrugated range, produced with water-based inks and glues and offered in formats ranging from 100% recycled paper to FSC-certified compostable materials.

The company sells direct to customers through its e-commerce website (detpak.co.za) in full carton quantities, with a South African distributor network serving smaller orders and Detpak International handling cross-border demand. Custom print services are a major revenue lever, with flexographic printing, water-based inks, MOQs of 50,000-100,000 units, and in-house design support. Named enterprise customers include McDonald's, KFC, Nando's, Burger King, Vodacom, Bokomo Botswana, Braai Star, and Pargo, while a long-tail of SMB and individual buyers is served through direct e-commerce and the clearance channel. Pricing is per-carton across tiers (e.g., small trays R370, hot cup lids R445-R855, bags R219-R2,249), with free delivery in South Africa on orders above R1,495 and a R150 flat rate below that threshold.

The business is differentiated by regulatory and sustainability credentials (BRCGS, FSC Chain of Custody since 2012, Level 1 B-BBEE status as part of Mpact, compliance with NEMWA via Fibre Circle membership), vertical integration into Mpact's recycling and liquid packaging operations, and access to the Detmold Group's global supply and technology agreements. The company's strategic focus is on sustainable packaging innovation and the buildout of paper-based recycling infrastructure in South Africa.

Name

Detpak

Legal name

Detpak

Website

https://detpak.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Detpak South Africa is a BRCGS-certified paper and cardboard packaging manufacturer in Johannesburg, supplying over 1,000 SKUs and custom-printed packaging to foodservice, retail, and industrial customers including McDonald's, KFC, Nando's, and Burger King. It is jointly owned by Mpact and the Detmold Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Paper Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220), Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)

SIC

Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673), Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670)

akta.pro primary industry

Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Napkins, Tableware & Foodservice Disposables (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRADALAD), Paper Bags & Sacks (retail, industrial, multiwall) (IMAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Paper packaging products
• Foodservice packaging
• Custom printed packaging
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Sustainable paper cups

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Paper Packaging Products: Detpak designs, manufactures and supplies paper and cardboard packaging products including cups, bags, cartons, wraps, and trays to foodservice, retail and industrial markets. Products sold in full carton quantities as a manufacturer.
2. Custom Print Services: Custom printing on packaging products with flexographic printing technology. Minimum order quantities apply (50,000+ for cups and bags, 100,000+ for wraps). Provides design services or templates for customer artwork.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Detpak designs, manufactures and supplies paper and cardboard packaging products including bags, cups, cartons, wraps, charcoal bags, trays, and specialty items such as the Enveloop paper courier bag and Detpak Paper Lid. Products are made for the foodservice, retail, and industrial markets using water-based inks and glues, with options for custom printing (flexographic) at minimum order quantities starting at 50,000 units.

Product overview

Detpak is a South African manufacturer and supplier of specialty paper and cardboard packaging products for the foodservice, retail, and industrial markets. The company operates as part of the Detmold Group and Mpact, offering over 1000 paper and board packaging solutions. The core product portfolio includes Bags (takeaway bags, shopper bags, retail bags, carry bags, tin tie bags, ECO bags, industrial bags), Cups (Ripple-Wrap, Double wall, Single wall, Coffee o'clock designs in various sizes), Cartons (fluted trays, hot dog trays, meal boxes), Wraps (wax wraps, greaseproof wraps), Charcoal Bags, and specialty products like Enveloop paper courier bags and the Detpak Paper Lid. The I am Eco sub-brand provides biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Products are available as stock items or with custom print branding (minimum quantities apply). Detpak also offers design-your-own customization services using water-based inks and flexographic printing technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Enveloop: A sustainable e-commerce paper courier bag that is biodegradable, compostable, and plastic-free for the last-mile delivery segment.
• I am eco

Products and services

• Bags Paper bags including takeaway bags, shopper bags, retail bags, carry bags with twist handles, check-out bags, tin tie bags, ECO bags, and industrial bags made from 100% recycled paper.
• Cups Paper cups for hot and cold beverages in styles including Ripple-Wrap (built-in corrugated sleeve), Double wall, Single wall, and Coffee o'clock designs, sizes from 250ml to 480ml.
• Cartons Food packaging cartons including fluted hot dog trays, small trays with lids, meal boxes, fluted lunch boxes, and noodle boxes with barrier coatings for moisture and grease resistance.
• Wraps Wax wraps and greaseproof wraps providing excellent grease resistance for wrapping burgers, kebabs, and hot greasy foods, with wax lining for moisture protection.
• Charcoal Bags Specialized double ply bags for charcoal and briquette packaging with generic prints for strength and visibility, and a semi-extensible inner layer for strength.
• Enveloop Paper Courier Bag 100% plastic-free paper courier bag for e-commerce and last-mile delivery. Biodegradable, compostable, made from FSC certified paper with wet-strength properties. Available in Medium (345mm x 220mm x 100mm) and Large (450mm x 280mm x 100mm) sizes.
• Detpak Paper Lid Innovative paper lid for takeaway coffee cups made from the same paper as coffee cups with thin polymer lamination, delivering 83% single-use plastic reduction per takeaway coffee compared to standard polystyrene lids.
• Fluted/Corrugated Range Corrugated/fluted packaging products including the Hot Dog Tray and Small Tray with clip-in PET lid. Made from a mix of recycled and virgin paper with barrier coating for food safety, moisture and grease resistance, fully recyclable.
• Custom Print Service Custom printing service using flexographic printing with water-based inks to add logos and branding onto packaging products. Minimum order quantities start at 50,000 units for cups and bags and 100,000 for wraps, with artwork design assistance provided.
• I am Eco Sub-brand Eco-friendly product line of biodegradable and compostable alternatives including ECO bags, ECO tin tie bags, and double wall I am Eco PLA cups made from 100% recyclable materials.
• Tamper-Evident Food Delivery Bag Food delivery bag made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper with a closure strip and double fold to create a peel-away tamper-evident seal, available in up to 5 colours.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% single-use plastic reduction per takeaway coffee when using Detpak paper lid compared to standard polystyrene lids
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fibre CirclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFibre Circle (trading name of PAMDEV NPC) is a voluntary producer responsibility organisation (PRO) established by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA). Detpak is a member, ensuring legal compliance with NEMWA and promoting resource efficient packaging design and recovery/recycling of used packaging.
• Remade Recycling (Mpact Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Mpact Group, Remade Recycling is involved in waste collection and recycling. Detpak collaborated with Remade Recycling on 'Recycling in the Bag' event to educate waste collectors about paper bag recycling, supporting the circular economy.
• The Perfect CupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoffee shop and roastery owned since 2010 by Michelle Dancer, collaborating on Detpak's inaugural separation-at-source recycling project. The partnership aims to streamline routing of used paper cups between the coffee shop and recycling facility, demonstrating community willingness to engage in sustainable practices.
• Vega SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and marketing college in Bordeaux, Johannesburg collaborated with Detpak on concept testing for the Paper Lid. Over 300 design students tested the concept which was well-received at launch.
• PargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPargo is a key logistics partner for Enveloop paper courier bags. Pargo conducted market testing within their courier operations for strength and performance. The partnership has been running for 2 years with positive feedback from clients and customers highlighting it as key part of their sustainable practices.
• Mpact RecyclingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMpact Recycling collaborated with Detpak on designing the Paper Lid, providing expertise on real-world recycling challenges, product testing, and assessing viability of various packaging compositions that may influence recyclability.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pactiv Evergreen: Large North American foodservice and foodservice packaging producer with paper cup, carton, and container ranges serving major QSR chains. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same foodservice packaging category where Detpak competes globally.
• Mondi Group: European-listed paper and packaging group with corrugated, paper bags, and consumer packaging divisions. Comparable to Detpak in converted paper products, particularly paper bags and industrial paper sacks, with significantly larger scale.
• Smurfit Kappa: Global paper-based packaging leader with extensive corrugated, paperboard, and bag ranges. Comparable to Detpak as a paper-converting incumbent with significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Dart Container Corporation: Privately held North American foodservice packaging manufacturer with broad paper and foam cup, container, and lid ranges. Comparable to Detpak as a foodservice packaging incumbent serving QSR and institutional customers.
• Sonoco Products: Global diversified packaging manufacturer with significant paper, paperboard, and foodservice packaging operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent in paper-based and foodservice packaging, with broader category scope than Detpak.

Direct peers

• BioPak: Australia-based sustainable foodservice packaging company specialising in compostable cups, lids, and containers made from renewable materials. Closely comparable to Detpak on product category, sustainability positioning, and foodservice customer base in the Australasian/South African region.
• Huhtamaki: Global foodservice packaging manufacturer with extensive paper cup, plate, and foodservice container ranges. Directly comparable to Detpak as a multinational paper-based packaging supplier serving QSR, foodservice, and retail customers.
• Papier-Mettler: European paper carrier bag and food packaging manufacturer with PEFC-certified paper bags, foodservice wraps, and takeaway solutions. Directly comparable to Detpak on paper bag and foodservice packaging product mix and sustainability positioning.

Others

• Detmold Group (broader portfolio): Detpak's parent conglomerate with manufacturing in 7 countries and 2,500+ employees producing paper and board packaging across multiple segments and geographies. Comparable as the broader corporate parent that defines Detpak's strategic context and provides cross-geography technology and supply chain leverage.

Emerging players

• Vegware: UK-based specialist in compostable foodservice packaging using plant-based PLA and bagasse materials. Comparable as a focused competitor in the premium compostable foodservice segment where Detpak's I am Eco line competes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/detpak

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Detpak