Increasing the paper-based content of carton packages
Our carton packages are primarily made of paper, a renewable material we source responsibly. This helps beverage cartons feature a lower carbon footprint than other packaging solutions1.
In aseptic carton packages, an aluminium foil layer provides vital protection from oxygen and light, keeping perishable food safe for months without the need for refrigeration or preservatives. We are constantly innovating to improve the environmental profile of aluminium and to develop an aseptic package that uses an alternative material for its barrier layer, while continuing to secure food safety and enhance food access.
By investing in research and development, we aim to create packages with a simplified material structure and increased renewable content, shifting away from virgin, fossil-based plastic and increasing the share of paper-based content in our carton packages. This is critical to bring us a step closer to developing the world’s most sustainable food package2.
Carton packages featuring a paper-based barrier on shelves
In 2020, we performed a 15-month commercial technology validation of a polymer-based barrier replacing the aluminium foil layer. This helped to understand the value chain implications of the change. The journey continued in 2022 with the next level of development - a commercial consumer test of an aseptic carton package with a paper-based barrier.
In 2023, together with Lactogal, we introduced the Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton with a paper-based barrier, a first within food carton packages distributed under ambient conditions, achieving a remarkable 90% renewable content. By combining around 80% paperboard with plant-based polymers, this package reduces CO2 emissions by an impressive 33% compared to traditional aseptic cartons3.
Catering to consumer preferences
Alongside the increase in renewability share, cartons with higher paper content are more appealing to paper mills, promising a potential shift towards a low-carbon circular economy for packaging.
A recent global study shows that 31% of consumers would be more motivated to sort for recycling if packages were made entirely from paperboard4. Increasing the paper content in our packaging solutions will also help cater to these consumers.
Similarly, the food and beverage industry is increasingly interested in paper-based packaging as it strives to adopt the principles of a circular economy. Recent research has revealed that three of the top five commitments made by business leaders to address sustainability challenges include the reduction of plastic usage5.
The journey continues
To keep the innovation running, we are collaborating with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders throughout the value chain. And we’re investing up to €100 million per year over the next five to 10 years to further enhance the environmental profile of food cartons, including the development of packages that are made with a simplified material structure and increased renewable content.
Watch the video and learn more.
This content was paid for by Tetra Pak and produced in partnership with the Financial Times Commercial Department.
1Circular Analytics, Supporting evidence Environmental performance of beverage cartons; https://www.beveragecarton.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20-011-Circular-Analytics_ACE-Full-report_2021-03-11.pdf
2Our ambition is to create the world’s most sustainable food package. This means creating a carton package that is:
- made of renewable or recycled materials, which are responsibly sourced, therefore helping protect and restore our planet’s climate, resources and biodiversity
- contributing towards low carbon production and distribution
- convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system
- fully recyclable
3Carbon Trust™-verified Tetra Pak ‘Carton CO2 Calculator’ model version 9 (valid from 2023-01-01). Scope: cradle-to-grave measurement of a Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton with plant-based polymers in coating and paper-based barrier compared to a standard Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf package. Geography: EU Industry data.
4Tetra Pak’s latest Sustainable Packaging consumer research, run in 2023, comprised a total of 14,500 consumer interviews based on an online questionnaire in 29 markets: Germany, France, UK, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina.
5Tetra Pak’s business-to-business research on Planetary Challenges and their impact on F&B manufacturers’ operations has been run in 2023, based on a combined methodology - quantitative research panel and qualitative component (expert interviews). Qualitative research included approx. 20 interviews conducted with Tetra Pak’s internal experts plus 12 with the F&B manufacturers, distributed across all regions that are within the scope of the project. Quantitative research comprised 346 interviews across 19 markets (Italy, Poland, Spain, France, Germany, UK, Australia, India, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, China, Vietnam, USA, South Korea, South Arabia, Turkey, Japan). Based on the research, the top five commitments were reducing dependency on plastic; reduction of plastic packaging demand in food delivery; reduction of food waste in F&B plant; reduction of plastic packaging waste in F&B value chain; logistics improvement across value chain.