Development never stops at RFSU AB’s condom factory
The RFSU AB condom factory is the only plant in the Nordic region where millions of condoms are tested and packaged each year. As RFSU is the clear market leader in the condom category in the Nordic countries, you might wonder: What is it exactly that makes RFSU’s condoms unique?
The RFSU condom factory is situated in the village of Hennan in the province of Hälsingland in central Sweden. The condom factory has packaged and ensured the quality of condoms since 1976. The person who has worked the longest there is Siw Strandberg, production manager at RFSU’s condom factory.
“I started in 1980 and have had a part in many milestones when it comes to condom manufacturing during my 45 years in the business,” says Siw Strandberg.
Nonetheless, the launch of the classic condom package occurred not so long before Siw started at RFSU, in 1970.
The outer packaging holding the condom is designed like a small book, which can be opened and closed. It’s a packaging idea that would prove to have many advantages.
“The thin, flat packaging became popular because you could easily slip into a pocket or purse,” says Siw. “Many started calling it the wallet pack.”
But the packaging is also practical for other reasons, not least because you can easily keep track of how many condoms there are in the package. Another plus is that there is a lot of space on the packaging for sharing information about the condom for the user.
A winning packaging concept from RFSU
The unique condom packaging from RFSU that launched in the 1970s works just as well today and is used for the majority of RFSU’s condom selection. But the ambition of the condom factory is to continuously develop production and to take new steps to work in a more sustainable manner.
Since the condom packaging is flat, it is also a very efficient use of space as opposed to a box. This offers an advantage when the products are transported from the condom factory to retailers. Since the flat packaging is smaller in volume versus if the condoms would be packaged in box containers, they take up less space and allow for larger volumes per load. Which in turn lowers the climate footprint.
Read more about RFSU’s sustainable product packaging.
Condom packaging developed by RFSU stands out in several ways
Many condoms available across the globe are encased in protective aluminum foil packages. But RFSU’s condoms are in strips made of cellophane.
“We phased out aluminum foil in the middle of the 1980s,” says Siw. “The cellophane protects the condom just as well as aluminum foil does, but it’s a much more environmentally friendly material as it’s biodegradable.”
Driving sustainable development with RFSU
The fact is that RFSU AB, and the team of experts at the condom factory in Hennan, have been an important part of driving the development of condom quality assurance in the Nordic region. Among other ways, as a member of the Swedish Institute for Standards Committee SIS/TK 612 for Contraceptives and Sex Toys, which works with setting and updating standards for contraceptives such as IUDs, diaphragms, female condoms and condoms for men.
Not only that, RFSU is in the forefront of using the minimum amount of material as possible for condom packaging. One example is that the plastic previously covering the condom packaging has been removed. Now there is simply a small plastic label that keeps the paper packaging closed.
“We have invested in machines that can package the condoms with cellophane and paper,” says Siw. “Our way of packing the condoms requires less packaging.”
Modern machinery at RFSU AB’s condom factory
At the start of 2025, employees at the condom factory in Hennan said goodbye to a faithful assistant. The packaging machine was retired after having packaged 45 million condom packets since 1994.
The work has since been taken over by a more up-to-date packaging machine with new functions, which make it possible to use an environmentally friendly glue. Plus, it is more user-friendly for employees at the condom factory.
New look for RFSU’s condoms
Another new development for 2025 is that RFSU’s condom packaging has a new look.
“We haven’t made any big changes so people can still easily recognize their favorites,” says Heléne van den Brink, who is responsible for production innovation at RFSU AB. “But we want to make it even easier for consumers to find the condom that works best for their exact needs, so that packaging has gotten a more modern design with clearer information.”
Of course, the changes of the condom packaging need to be made carefully. It is vital that consumers recognize their favorite products. The so-called signal colors are particularly sacred.
“Many want to be able to just ask for ‘the blue pack’ at the checkout counter and not have to say that they want to buy a pack of Profils,” Heléne van den Brink explains.
Thinnest possible condoms in demand
Even if those purchasing condoms tend to be loyal to their favorites, there are still trends within the world of condoms.
“What we see is an increasing demand for the thinnest possible condom,” says Heléne. “Our Beyond Thin condom is only .04 mm thick and Thin, which is only .05 mm thick, is the brand that is growing the fastest. Profil, which is called Magic in Finland, has been around since 1967 and is our bestselling condom.”
There are favorites as well for those who prefer flavored/scented condoms, says Heléne. The most popular among RFSU’s flavored/scented condoms are strawberry and vanilla.
What goes on at RFSU’s condom factory?
- Delivery from Asia: The condoms are delivered unprocessed in bulk to RFSU’s condom factory in Hennan from suppliers in Asia. There are several reasons for buying condoms made of latex from Asia, including because the rubber trees from which latex is made are found there. It is also important that condoms are made in an environment with high humidity to ensure the quality of the rubber.
- Testing and quality assurance: When the condoms arrive at the condom factory in Hennan, they are tested for quality in several stages at RFSU’s own accredited laboratory, according to ISO 13485 standards that were especially developed for assuring the quality of condoms. Among other things, the condoms are checked to make sure there are no microscopic holes by filling them with water. They are also tested to see how much air pressure they can withstand by inflating the condoms in big glass cases where a meter registers how much air they can hold and how much pressure they can take before exploding.
- Silicon processing: A silicone-based lubricant is added to all condoms, except the 17006 condom, after the condoms are delivered to the factory in Hennan. A drop of silicone lubrication is added so that they don’t dry out in the packaging, and so that they will be easier to put on. Pure silicone is used that contains no additives, such as glycerin. And condoms from RFSU contain no animal products either.
- Packaging: The condoms are packaged first in strips of cellophane and then in external packaging.
- Distribution: The condoms are prepared for transport to retailers.
RFSU Beyond Thin Condom - like wearing nothing
RFSU Grande - large condom with generous fit
RFSU Tasty - condoms with flavour and scent
How should you recycle condoms and condom packaging?
- The outer packaging can be recycled as paper packaging.
- The condom and inner packaging (cellophane) should be disposed of with regular household waste.
- Condoms should never be flushed down the toilet – the condom can end up filled with an enormous amount of water and risk clogging up the pipes.
Did you know that many of RFSU’s packaging offer a return on deposit?
- At the beginning of 2024, RFSU started a cooperation with Bower, a recycling app where consumers can scan their packaging when it is time to get rid of it.
- Just as in return-on-deposit recycling for plastic bottles and aluminum cans, the consumer gets a bonus for every package recycled. In the Bower app, you’ll find information on how you can dispose of condoms and condom packaging.
