16 Nov 2023 — Tetra Pak and Lactogal have introduced an aseptic beverage carton with a paper-based barrier, now on shelves in Portugal. Comprising 80% paperboard, the packaging consists of 90% renewable content, accompanied by a one-third reduction in its carbon footprint. The Carbon Trust has certified it as “Carbon Neutral.”

Tetra Pak aims for industrial-scale production of the Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton by 2025, marking headway toward the goal of a fully recyclable, carbon-neutral beverage carton made from responsibly sourced materials. 

“The development represents a critical marker in our longstanding work to design beverage cartons for recycling — something that is continuing to set the pace for the paperization of packaging,” says Ola Elmqvist, executive vice president of Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak.

“By joining forces with Lactogal, we’re now demonstrating that it’s possible to progress the sustainability of aseptic beverage cartons while securing food safety and enhancing food access.”

Meanwhile, José Capela, president of Lactogal, underscores the importance of collaboration for a sustainable future by stating: “We are focused on an ambitious sustainability transformation and this new carton’s 33% reduction in GHG emissions, together with its carbon-neutral certification, is a significant achievement toward this goal.”

“Unique” 90% renewable packaging
The Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton is reportedly the first 90% renewable beverage carton to be distributed under ambient conditions. It does not require energy-intensive refrigeration or preservatives to keep the contents safe to consume for months.

The development is part of a large-scale technology validation by Tetra Pak, involving around 25 million packages and is currently ongoing in Portugal.

In 2022, Tetra Pak, alongside its industry peers in the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, took a decisive step by jointly embracing the Design for Recyclability guidelines for beverage cartons, which provide technical direction for optimized packaging recycling.

More recently, the 4evergreen alliance, a collaborative platform with Tetra Pak as a key founding member, expanded its efforts. By incorporating beverage packaging design guidance into its fiber-based circularity toolset, 4evergreen actively contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy. 

Tetra Pak says the updated Circularity by Design Guideline, which addresses various fiber-based composite packaging types, including beverage cartons, is a valuable resource. It informs designers about the compatibility of packaging solutions with specialized recycling processes. 

“GHG emissions, food waste and plastic littering are cited as the top three environmental sustainability concerns facing F&B businesses today, and this is expected to remain the case over the next five years,” stresses Tetra Pak.

“Packaging solutions like these, which expand the amount of paper and lower the carbon footprint while ensuring food safety, can help the industry overcome these challenges.”

Edited by Radhika Sikaria

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