The packages are made from renewable materials, defined as natural resources that can be replenished over time, developed from a combination of paperboard and sugar cane derived plastics.
Specially adapted for the US market
Carmen Becker, president/CEO, Tetra Pak, told DairyReporter, gable top bio-based had to be specially adapted for the US market.
“The gable top fully-renewable had to be adjusted to fit the US market standards in terms of volume and supply chain set up,” she said.
“It’s a huge milestone for us; Tetra Pak is the first to offer a fully renewable carton package to the US market and with consumer demand increasing for environmental packaging, we are happy to be able to offer this carton to our customers.”
According to Becker, the company has received a lot of interest in its gable top carton and it is expecting to announce a partnership deal soon. Arla was one of the companies to adopt Tetra Rex Bio-Based in Europe.
Milk & juice brands in the chilled and ESL sector
The product is available for milk and juice brands in the chilled and ESL (extended shelf life) sector.
Tetra Pak says customers using the standard half-gallon gable top with or without closure can transition to the new bio-based version without further investment or modification to their existing filling machines.
“There is no need for modifications to their existing filling machines because the bio based resin has the same chemical and physical properties as the fossil version,” added Becker.