Tetra Pak tests an industry-first: a fibre-based barrier to replace the aluminium layer

Following the successful completion of a 15-month commercial technology validation of a polymer-based barrier replacing the aluminium layer, Tetra Pak is now moving to the next level of development – testing a fibre-based barrier that is a first within food carton packages distributed under ambient conditions.

This step marks yet another breakthrough in the company’s long-term roadmap towards developing an aseptic package that is fully renewable, fully recyclable and carbon-neutral.

The aluminium layer currently used in food carton packages plays a critical role in ensuring food safety; and even though it is thinner than a human hair, it contributes to a third of the green-house gas emissions linked to base materials used by Tetra Pak.

With a view to reducing this climate impact, a commercial technology validation was conducted in Japan starting late 2020, using a polymer-based barrier to replace the aluminium layer. This helped to understand the value chain implications of the change, and to quantify the carbon footprint reduction. It also confirmed adequate oxygen protection for vegetable juice, while enabling increased recycling rates in a country where recyclers favour aluminium-free cartons.

Incorporating these learnings, the company is now testing a new fibre-based barrier, in close collaboration with some of its customers. A first pilot batch of single serve packs featuring this industry-first material are currently on shelf for a commercial consumer test, with further technology validation scheduled later in 2022.

This initiative underscores Tetra Pak’s approach to design for recycling, where increasing the paper content is critical, and also supports end-user expectations. Based on recent global research, approximately 40% of consumers confirmed they would be more motivated to sort for recycling if packages were made entirely from paperboard and had no plastic or aluminium.
more at: https://www.tetrapak.com/about-tetra-pak/news-and-events/newsarchive/industry-first-fibre-based-barrier

Related Posts

IPG Launches Tishma Brand AMS Fully Automated Inline Paper Mailer System with Right Size Technology

IPG® has launched the new Tishma® brand AMS (Auto Mailer Machine) in partnership with Garrido Printing Equipment out of Miami, FL. The AMS is a revolutionary design that automatically creates a right sized, paper mailable package around each order. This high speed, inline system adjusts the creation of the mailer length to the product need, at a rate of 30 mailers per minute in random, or up to 80 per minute in a batched mode.

Superior Litho Triples Its Overall Job Throughput and Impression Output With Its New Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-Inch Seven-Color Press (whattheythink.com)

Over the past year Superior Lithographics, a Los Angeles-based large format printing specialist of litho sheets and top sheets for the corrugated box industry as well as printing and converting folding cartons, has seen impressive improvements in many vital areas including product quality and data on product consistency stemming from state-of-the-art color and quality measuring systems outfitted on its new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 seven-color 57-inch press. “Since our new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven color press was installed last summer, we’ve seen incredible improvements within our facility,” says Jeff Ku, Vice President of Operations for Superior. “Our data has shown a 32% increase in overall sheet throughput. We’ve also seen an impressive 25% decrease in make-ready time. All this has resulted in our company experiencing an overall growth in business.”

Easysnap Technology and Fedrigoni joined forces for Packaging Innovation

The collaboration between Fedrigoni, Easysnap Technology, and Mars Food & Nutrition’s product brand, MasterFoods, marks a significant leap forward in sustainable packaging solutions. Together, we have developed Papersnap®, a fully recyclable, paper-based squeeze-on tomato sauce pack that meets consumer demands for eco-designed, convenient, and high-quality products. The innovative packaging design of Papersnap® ensures the freshness and flavor of MasterFoods’ Australian-made tomato sauce, crafted from sun-ripened tomatoes and select spices without artificial additives. Featuring a user-friendly design that enables one-handed use—simply press, fold, and squeeze to savor every drop in a clean, contactless manner—the partnership behind Papersnap® demonstrates how brands can join forces to minimize plastic waste while meeting the changing expectations of consumers. The global shift from plastic to paper is reshaping packaging and materials design, aiming to reduce single-use plastic and pave the way for more responsible production. This transition has become a key initiative for brands and industries looking to minimize their environmental footprint without sacrificing quality or functionality.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search