Food & Beverage Asia June/July 2022

FIRST LOOKS 55
Tetra Pak tests fibre-based barrier to
replace the aluminium layer
Incorporating these learnings, the company
is 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.
Following the completion of a 15-month
commercial technology validation of a
polymer-based barrier replacing the
aluminium layer, Tetra Pak is testing a
fibre-based barrier — a first within food
carton packages distributed under
ambient conditions.
This step marks another step in the
company’s goal towards developing
an aseptic package that is fully renewable,
fully recyclable and carbon-neutral.
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.
Gilles Tisserand, vice-president of climate
and biodiversity at Tetra Pak, commented:
“Early results suggest that the package with
a fibre-based barrier will offer substantial
CO2 reduction when compared to traditional
aseptic cartons, together with comparable
shelf life and food protection properties.”
Eva Gustavsson, vice-president of materials
and package, Tetra Pak added: “To keep the
innovation engine running, we are investing
€100 million per year and will continue to do so
over the next five to 10 years to further enhance
the environmental profile of food cartons,
including the research and development of
packages that are made with a simplified material
structure and increased renewable content.” ■
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