From:Packaging News

Tetra Pak has launched a new version of Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Edge carton featuring the Bio-based LightCap 30.

The carton giant said this is the first aseptic carton package in the world to receive the highest class of Vinçotte certification for its use of renewable materials.
The new package is manufactured using a bio-based plastic film and cap, made from polymers derived from sugar cane.

Two of the six layers (external and lamination layers) that make up the carton lining have been changed from fossil based to bio-based materials – combining with the paperboard this pushes the renewable sources in the package to above 80% renewability.
The 80% renewable material benchmark is the threshold for four-star certification from Vinçotte, the Belgium-based accreditation agency that is world-recognised for assessing the renewable content of packaging products.

The new package also boasts up to 17% lower carbon footprint than a standard package, according to an independent lifecycle analysis conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

“Increasing the use of renewable materials, defined as natural resources that can be replenished over time, plays an increasingly important role in mitigating resource scarcity and climate change,” said Philippe Dewolfs, President of the Certification Committee from Vinçotte “This is the only aseptic carton package we have certified so far and it has qualified for four-star certification.”

Omer Emran, global product manager, environmental innovations, Tetra Pak, said the company is working on changing the other layers to renewable materials in the future, but that it was more an issue to secure supply of material.

“We need to secure a certain volume before asking the supplier to change from fossil to bio-based. There is a cost dofferential in producing bio-based material. But again you need to look at the value that the package is providing for a customer, and eventually to the consumers. Customers look at it as an investment in their brand to boost their KPIs and their commitment to sustainable product development.”

Mario Abreu vice president environment, Tetra Pak, said currently the quantity of biobased materials and production is very small scale compared to fossil fuels and that brands, manufacturers and suppliers have to take the long term view.

“They have to take into consideration that over the time this will be more competitive material. But right now it is very niche.”

Charles Brand, executive vice president, product management and commercial operations at Tetra Pak said: “There is a growing trend that consumers want to do more for the planet, and they want brand owners to help. With the authentic certification from Vinçotte, our new package gives customers credible information to communicate with consumers, and helps them differentiate their products.

“Our ultimate goal is to produce all of our packages using only sustainably-managed renewable materials.”

The new version of Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Edge with Bio-based LightCap 30 package is being launched through one of Tetra Pak’s customers in Sweden and is available to customers globally. Switching to the new version requires no additional capital equipment investment.