Rethink all you know - Aseptic Carton
Taking 25% out of the equation
While the ultra-thin aluminum layer only makes about 5 % of the weight of a standard aseptic carton, it is responsible for about 25 % of its carbon footprint*. By removing the aluminum layer in SIG’s standard aseptic carton structure, we’re reducing the already low CO2 footprint of SIG packs even further. Another important step towards a low-carbon future.
Less fossil-based polymers
Across our portfolio, we are innovating to replace virgin fossil-based polymers with renewable polymers linked to tall oil, a forest-based material, or circular alternatives, linked to post-consumer recycled material (via mass balance system). By increasing the share of paper, we‘ll further reduce the already low amount of plastics.
2 instead of 3
Simplification is our motto. With our SIG Terra solutions with no aluminum layer, we go from 3 to 2 materials.
- Less CO2
- Can allow wider recycling opportunities
- Same level of product protection with our full-barrier version: SIG Terra Alu-free Full barrier and SIG Terra Alu-free Full barrier Forest-based polymers
The 90% paper vision
By 2030, we will develop a packaging structure for our aseptic cartons that will be made of at least 90% paper, with an interim goal of reaching at least 85% paper content by 2025.
*Based on the meta-analysis of SIG’s independent ISO-compliant life-cycle assessments for milk, non-carbonated soft drinks, and food.
The future is aluminum-free
One of the key elements of SIG Terra is simplification. This is why we constantly work towards finding new ways of reducing the material complexity of our packaging and take components out.
We pioneered and introduced the world’s first aseptic carton with no aluminum layer (suitable for UHT white milk and cream) as early as 2010 - years ahead of others. This is an example of our commitment to lead the way to a more sustainable future. Then, we launched the industry’s first ever aseptic carton with all main components linked to forest-based renewable materials, where the small amount of polymers is linked to forest-based renewable materials via a mass-balance system.
Now, aseptic cartons with no aluminum layer are evolving again to enter a new era with a full barrier, making it suitable for an even broader range of food and beverage categories.
Our customers can upgrade their packaging portfolio with SIG’s industry-leading carton packaging solutions with no aluminum layer, further reducing their carbon footprint.
The evolution of aseptic carton
SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier
Discover our latest innovation of aseptic cartons with no aluminum layer, now with full barrier properties. Without compromising barrier and shelf-life properties compared to SIG’s standard aseptic cartons our innovative aluminum-layer free packaging structure with an ultra-thin coated polymer layer protects products from oxygen and light influences as well as against water vapor, and aroma losses.
No aluminum layer
Even lower carbon footprint
FSC™-certified paperboard
(license code: FSC™ C020428)
Reducing the use of fossil-based polymers
Today’s consumers want sustainable packaging solutions that can reduce their impact on the environment. To meet this demand, we developed our SIG Terra sustainable packaging material innovations including the world’s first aseptic carton pack with all main components, paperboard and polymers, linked to forest-based renewable materials (via a mass-balance system).
Our SIG Terra packaging material with forest-based renewable polymers use tall oil as a sustainable feedstock. Tall oil is a by-product of the paper industry. The renewable polymers used by SIG are sourced via a mass-balance system with ISCC PLUS certification.
Closing the loop with recycled plastics
Keep valuable materials in circulation with our packaging material linked to post-consumer recycled polymers: Meet the world’s first and only aseptic carton packaging material linked to post-consumer recycled plastics via mass-balancing certified by ISCC PLUS.
Rethink all you know - Bag-in-Box
SIG Terra solutions Bag-in-Box
Rethink all you know - Spouted Pouch
SIG Terra Spouted Pouch solutionsSIG Terra: industry-leading sustainable packaging innovations
SIG Terra is our marker for sustainable packaging innovations, which we constantly evolve for better. Leveraging our R&D expertise and unique filling technology, we achieved a track record of industry-firsts in simplifying structures and reducing the weight of packaging, with milestones including the world's first aseptic carton with no aluminum layer in 2010 and the world's first recycle-ready bag-in-box for water in 2021.
