Tetra Pak has introduced a paper-based barrier for aseptic juice packaging, replacing the aluminium layer traditionally used in cartons.
The technology has been applied to the Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 ml Slim Leaf carton, which is being used for juice products sold in Spain under the Don Simón brand, in collaboration with Spanish beverage producer García Carrión.
According to the company, the carton is made with up to 80 per cent paper and combined with plant-based polymers, achieving 92 per cent renewable content. Tetra Pak said the new structure reduces the carbon footprint by 43 per cent compared with conventional aseptic cartons, with the reduction verified by the Carbon Trust.
Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President of Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak, said, “This launch represents a significant step in our journey towards fully renewable and recyclable packaging. By working closely with our customers, we’re proving that sustainable innovation can scale across markets and categories, while ensuring packaging retains its functionality and quality.”
The paper-based barrier replaces the aluminium foil layer with a renewable, paper-based alternative. Tetra Pak said the barrier continues to protect against oxygen, light, moisture, and bacteria, with shelf life comparable to cartons using aluminium.
The company said cartons using the paper-based barrier can be collected, sorted, and recycled where infrastructure exists, and are expected to support more efficient recovery of paper fibres during the recycling process while maintaining fibre and non-fibre quality.
Tetra Pak said the technology forms part of its longer-term objective to develop packaging made from renewable or recycled materials, with lower carbon impact and full recyclability.
An aseptic beverage carton using the paper-based barrier was previously launched with a dairy company in Portugal in 2023. The company said the solution received the Resource Efficiency award at the Sustainable Packaging News Awards 2024.
