Tethered caps are the latest additions to our range of openings and closures, allowing you to achieve your ambitions in three essential areas – food safety, food waste, and the environment – simultaneously. We are introducing them now, well ahead of the legal obligation, as part of our ambition to deliver the world's most sustainable food package1.
The EU Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Directive, which mandates that single-use beverage containers made with plastic will only be allowed on the market if their caps and lids remain attached, will come into force in July 2024. The directive is an integral part of the EU's wider approach announced in their Plastics Strategy and an important element of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. In 2021, we began the deployment of our tethered caps. Today, a few months ahead of the enforcement of the EU Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive, we are one step closer to the completion of our conversion programme, with 10 billion caps delivered to our customers in Europe. We continue to expand our tethered cap portfolio, including plant-based options using sugarcane-based polymers or ISCC-certified recycled polymers.2
The TwistCap™ OSO 34 Pro is a fully renewable one-step resealable tethered cap available for Tetra Rex® carton packages. It is based on a screw opening mechanism with tethered strings that keep the lid attached to the package. The proportions of the closure provide a good grip and it is easy to control pouring, also for viscous products. It is suitable for chilled liquid dairy products (LDP) and other liquid dairy products (OLDP). This one-step opening comes with a slitted tamper band which ensures that the product hasn't already been opened. It’s available in multiple colours so it can fit seamlessly with any packaging design.
The C38 Pro is a resealable and future-proof tethered cap. It is based on a screw opening mechanism and the cap stays attached to the package, helping to prevent litter. It also features a visible tamper band to make it clear when the package has been opened, helping to secure food protection. The opening size of 38mm ensures a smooth, even liquid flow, and it’s available in multiple colours so it can fit seamlessly with any packaging design. There is also a plant-based version of the cap available, which is made from polymers derived from sugar cane. This option increases the total amount of renewable content, which results in an expected CO2 reduction when compared with standard packaging.
1This means creating cartons that are fully made of renewable or recycled materials, that are responsibly sourced, therefore helping protect and restore our planet's climate, resources and biodiversity; contributing towards carbon-neutral production and distribution; are convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system; are fully recyclable
2The certified recycled polymers used in the caps, tops and coatings of some of our carton packages are produced under the ISCC chain of custody attribution method. This means that the plastics are made of a mix of recycled and non-recycled materials, but that the corresponding mass of recycled materials has been tracked throughout the Tetra Pak supply chain.