Tetra Pak and Lactalis Launch Carton with Certified Recycled Polymers in Industry-First Circular Initiative
Source: DairyNews.today
In a notable move towards sustainable packaging, Tetra Pak and Lactalis have introduced a pioneering carton package that incorporates certified recycled polymers derived from used beverage cartons, representing a breakthrough in the beverage carton sector and a significant milestone towards achieving circular economy goals.
This packaging innovation has been adopted by Lactalis for its Puleva dairy product line in Spain, which now features the Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Slim carton with the HeliCap 23 Pro closure.
The initial rollout under the Puleva brand includes calcium-enriched, skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, and lactose-free milk varieties. Lactalis plans to gradually expand the use of this eco-friendly packaging across its entire dairy portfolio, supporting the company’s broader sustainability agenda. According to recent research by Tetra Pak, 78% of consumers express concern over plastic waste’s environmental impact, and 29% have increased purchases of products in recycled packaging over the past year, underscoring a growing market demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
Certified Recycling and Mass Balance Process
The recycled polymers utilized in this packaging are certified by ISCC PLUS and are sourced from used beverage cartons recycled in Spain. Tetra Pak applies a mass balance attribution model to ensure that the volume of recycled content is verified and tracked throughout the supply chain. This certification method blends recycled and virgin fossil feedstock, with third-party verification to maintain transparency and accountability. Importantly, the chemically recycled polymers meet stringent quality and food safety standards, retaining the functional attributes essential for food-grade packaging.
This development marks a substantial effort to maintain valuable resources in circulation and reduce reliance on virgin fossil-based materials. Tetra Pak is committing €100 million annually over the next five to ten years to advance the environmental profile of its packaging offerings. Meanwhile, Lactalis has positioned sustainable packaging, animal welfare, and decarbonization by 2050 as core components of its environmental strategy.
Leaders’ Statements on Circular Economy Progress
Joël Llovera, Lactalis Iberia’s Purchasing Director, emphasized the alignment between the two companies’ sustainability visions, stating, “Our collaboration with Tetra Pak embodies our shared commitment to environmental stewardship for future generations. Shifting from fossil-based to certified recycled polymers is a major step towards our long-term goals.”
Marco Marchetti, Vice President of Packaging Materials at Tetra Pak, added, “To achieve true circularity in food packaging, we must collectively scale renewable and recycled resources, transforming waste into valuable inputs and reducing dependency on virgin materials. This project with Lactalis exemplifies the collaborative action needed across industry, science, policy, and recycling to turn sustainability challenges into tangible progress.”
The launch of this recycled polymer carton by Tetra Pak and Lactalis demonstrates how industry partnerships and innovative packaging solutions are transforming sustainability goals into operational realities, moving closer to a circular economy in food packaging.
The initial rollout under the Puleva brand includes calcium-enriched, skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, and lactose-free milk varieties. Lactalis plans to gradually expand the use of this eco-friendly packaging across its entire dairy portfolio, supporting the company’s broader sustainability agenda. According to recent research by Tetra Pak, 78% of consumers express concern over plastic waste’s environmental impact, and 29% have increased purchases of products in recycled packaging over the past year, underscoring a growing market demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
Certified Recycling and Mass Balance Process
The recycled polymers utilized in this packaging are certified by ISCC PLUS and are sourced from used beverage cartons recycled in Spain. Tetra Pak applies a mass balance attribution model to ensure that the volume of recycled content is verified and tracked throughout the supply chain. This certification method blends recycled and virgin fossil feedstock, with third-party verification to maintain transparency and accountability. Importantly, the chemically recycled polymers meet stringent quality and food safety standards, retaining the functional attributes essential for food-grade packaging.
This development marks a substantial effort to maintain valuable resources in circulation and reduce reliance on virgin fossil-based materials. Tetra Pak is committing €100 million annually over the next five to ten years to advance the environmental profile of its packaging offerings. Meanwhile, Lactalis has positioned sustainable packaging, animal welfare, and decarbonization by 2050 as core components of its environmental strategy.
Leaders’ Statements on Circular Economy Progress
Joël Llovera, Lactalis Iberia’s Purchasing Director, emphasized the alignment between the two companies’ sustainability visions, stating, “Our collaboration with Tetra Pak embodies our shared commitment to environmental stewardship for future generations. Shifting from fossil-based to certified recycled polymers is a major step towards our long-term goals.”
Marco Marchetti, Vice President of Packaging Materials at Tetra Pak, added, “To achieve true circularity in food packaging, we must collectively scale renewable and recycled resources, transforming waste into valuable inputs and reducing dependency on virgin materials. This project with Lactalis exemplifies the collaborative action needed across industry, science, policy, and recycling to turn sustainability challenges into tangible progress.”
The launch of this recycled polymer carton by Tetra Pak and Lactalis demonstrates how industry partnerships and innovative packaging solutions are transforming sustainability goals into operational realities, moving closer to a circular economy in food packaging.
