Solving for Sustainable Packaging with Aagard  

In the world of packaging, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, and Aagard, an engineering company based in Alexandria, Minnesota, is leading the way. Known for their motto, “We Build Cool Machines,” Aagard specializes in designing and building custom equipment that helps brands package products more efficiently and sustainably. 

One impactful sustainability initiative is Aagard’s collaboration with Energizer, where innovative design led to 100% plastic-free battery packaging. Recently, we sat down with Jonas Capistrant, Aagard’s Director of Customer Innovation, to learn more about the Energizer project and how sustainability is reshaping the packaging industry. 

Could you share more about the sustainability initiatives and practices within Aagard’s operations? 

Our primary focus is building custom packaging equipment, which often means working on projects where companies are transitioning from plastic to plastic-free packaging. These transitions create unique challenges that affect nearly every stage of the packaging process. 

From the sales side, Aagard looks at how to change materials while keeping packaging functional, visually appealing, and true to its original purpose. Our team also focuses on efficiency — figuring out how to fit products into boxes, maximize pallet space, and optimize logistics. Ultimately, our goal is to minimize waste and improve efficiency at every step. 

How did your project with Energizer to develop plastic-free packaging begin?

Many companies are taking sustainability seriously, including large national retail stores, which are setting aggressive goals to reduce plastic packaging. This push has influenced brands like Energizer, which has packaged batteries in plastic blister packs for over 40 years. 

Energizer wanted to eliminate plastic, but it also aimed to improve distribution efficiency, reduce materials, and get more products onto each truck. At the time, we were working on a similar project for another company, and when Energizer saw our process, it identified Aagard as the right partner to help transform its packaging. 

Is the growing interest in sustainable packaging continuing, and how is Minnesota’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation impacting your operations?

Absolutely. Across the marketplace, products are changing as companies work to reduce plastic use, switch to recycled materials, and cut waste — and this trend is only growing. Energizer isn’t the only project Aagard is working on; many of these conversations start years before products reach store shelves. 

The new EPR legislation is accelerating this shift. Some forward-thinking companies have been moving toward sustainable packaging for years — we’ve been working on projects like this for about four years — while others are only starting now due to legal requirements. And although some companies may lag behind, the legislation ensures the change will happen. 

For Aagard, this is an opportunity. As companies redesign packaging, they need new equipment to make it possible. That means creating local jobs while helping businesses reduce waste and drive innovation — a win-win for both the company and the environment. 

How is sustainability integrated into your organization and culture? 

It’s a big part of who we are. Many Aagard employees hunt, fish, and care deeply about the local environment. Being based in a small rural area, the health of the natural surroundings directly impacts the community and the people who build our equipment. That mindset naturally shapes how the company approaches the challenges it solves — ensuring that environmental care is built into Aagard’s culture and solutions. 

Learn more about Aagard, their sustainability efforts, and their custom packaging equipment solutions on their website.