In the Netherlands, Lipton Ice Tea, a leading global ice tea brand, has made the decision to switch to SIG aseptic carton packs with SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER packaging material, where all the polymers used are linked to certified forest-based renewable materials via a mass-balance system. This decision by Lipton Ice Tea, a Unilever brand, is an important step and contributes to the bigger Unilever sustainability goal of becoming fully net zero by 2039. The switch to SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER is also a significant step forward on Lipton’s commitment to contributing to the circular economy and becoming a fully circular brand.

Lipton has been appreciating the benefits of SIG aseptic carton packs in the Netherlands for many years and its ice tea will now use carton packs with SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER from May 2022. With around 39 million packs sold yearly, this important next step matches the brand’s strong sustainable ambition and meets the demands and expectations of Dutch retailers and consumers.

Lipton, who is committed to using the most sustainable packaging solutions, has chosen SIG’s combifitMagnum 1,500 ml carton pack with SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER. Carton packs with SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER reduce carbon footprint compared to a standard pack*, as a result of the substitution of fossil polymers with mass-balanced plant-based polymers made from tall oil – a by-product of paper manufacturing. All three key raw materials come from certified responsible sources via mass-balance systems: paperboard is from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources; forest-based renewable polymers certified according to ISCC PLUS; and an ultra-thin layer of aluminium which protects against light and oxygen is covered by ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative) certification.

Anne Kooijman, assistant brand manager at Lipton, said, “Thanks to our close cooperation with the team at SIG, we’re able to package our ice tea in an even more sustainable way, as we aim to become a fully circular brand and significantly reduce our carbon footprint and that of our consumers. Changes such as switching to SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER can make a big difference as we continuously work to improve the overall sustainability of our product portfolio.”

SIG’s growing SIGNATURE portfolio is being adopted by more and more leading food and beverage brands, as they realise the added value of using carton packs with even more sustainable packaging structures.

Sonia Voicu, marketing manager BeNeLux & France at SIG, said, “Our SIGNATURE portfolio is a pioneering and innovative answer to the growing demand from the industry and consumers for even more sustainable packaging solutions. Working with such an important global brand like Lipton, to help make its ice tea range as sustainable as it possibly can be, has been an exciting project for us and we look forward to working with the Lipton’s team on future product developments.”

*Results based on ISO-compliant life-cycle assessment CB-100732c