Paper cap sets packaging industry in motion

Tetra Pak is the first in the industry to test a paper cap on its Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Mid packaging. In partnership with Aneto, Spain’s largest broth producer, the company has launched a pilot aimed at accelerating the shift toward more sustainable packaging. The cap is made largely from paper, increasing the overall paper content of the package to 73%. With the addition of plant-based polymers derived from sugarcane, the share of renewable materials now reaches 87%.

Less plastic, more renewables

Using materials like wood and sugarcane fits Tetra Pak’s ambition to reduce its reliance on fossil-based plastics. Renewable resources absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, making them a logical step for food companies working toward their sustainability goals.

New packaging solutions need to be tough enough for real-world conditions. The cap must withstand moisture, temperature shifts and transport stress without compromising performance. That’s why Tetra Pak subjected it to rigorous testing, including strength, recyclability and packaging integrity. “Our priority is for the cap to perform just as well as plastic ones. It must be easy to open, resealable and durable,” says Pietro Martini, Director Solutions Research and Anticipatory Innovation at Tetra Pak.

What do consumers think?

Internal research shows that 31% of consumers say they would recycle food cartons more often if they were entirely made of cardboard. Another 21% prefer packaging made solely from renewable materials. Through this project, Tetra Pak aims to better understand how consumers and the market respond to the innovation.

Tetrapak.com