Tetra Pak and Sterilgarda Alimenti launch industry-first 1-litre aseptic carton with paper-based barrier

Tetra Pak, in collaboration with leading Italian dairy company Sterilgarda Alimenti, has unveiled the first-ever 1-litre package featuring a paper-based barrier, marking another significant milestone in the carton packaging industry’s transition towards low-carbon, renewable materials.

Introducing a paper-based barrier into the Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Edge carton package - one of the company’s most popular formats with its distinctive slanted top panel - increases the renewable content to 90% when combined with plant-based polymers.

Designed for ambient distribution, the carton supports shelf life and performance comparable to traditional aseptic packaging with an aluminium foil barrier, while reducing the carbon footprint by up to 50%, as verified by the Carbon Trust1.

Giampaolo Rossi, Plant Director at Sterilgarda Alimenti said: “We at Sterilgarda Alimenti stand for tradition and innovation. Through our continuous improvements in technology and product quality, we aim to provide the best possible answers to evolving consumer needs. Conscious consumption is becoming increasingly important, which is why adopting pioneering technologies is key across all our activities. Tetra Pak’s new paper-based barrier is a groundbreaking innovation in beverage packaging and represents a significant contribution to our journey towards greater sustainability.”

Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President, Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak commented, “As environmental sustainability continues to shape the food and beverage industry, this innovation is an important step forward. It introduces a new barrier material that helps producers move closer to their environmental goals. For me, this is about harnessing the power of paper to make beverage cartons more renewable. This is the result of working hand-in-hand with our customers, supporting them as they offer responsible choices that consumers increasingly expect.’’

This industry-first news follows another major step in Tetra Pak’s development of next-generation sustainable packaging materials: a €60 million investment in a new pilot plant for paper-based barrier technology at the company’s facility in Lund, Sweden.

Tetra Pak’s aseptic beverage carton with a paper-based barrier was first launched in 2023 in a portion package format on flexible lines. The technology was later expanded to high-speed lines and in 2024, it was recognised as a groundbreaking sustainability innovation in packaging, receiving the “Resource Efficiency” award at the Sustainable Packaging News Awards 2024.

The paper-based barrier simplifies the carton’s material structure, reducing it from three to two main materials: paper and polymers. The increased paper content can support recycling infrastructure by improving material recovery and quality, while maintaining the strength and rigidity required to protect aseptic products throughout their lifecycle.

To further enhance the environmental profile of food cartons, Tetra Pak is committed to investing approximately €100 million annually through to 2030 in the development of sustainable packaging solutions. This includes the creation of packages with simplified material structures and increased renewable content.