3 billionth SIG aseptic carton pack with no aluminum layer delivered to the European dairy industry

The previous month sees SIG hit another important milestone in the company’s aluminum-free journey and achieve another first for the industry, as the 3 billionth SIG aseptic carton pack using packaging material without an aluminum layer is delivered for use in the European dairy industry.

SIG is the pioneer in the field of aseptic carton packaging materials without aluminum layer since 2010, as it strives to create ‘packaging for better’, which gives more to people and the planet than it takes out. Expanding its aluminum-free solutions is key to SIG’s strategy for lowering the carbon footprint of its aseptic cartons even further and achieving higher recyclability of carton packs, by simplifying the material structure and increasing the proportion of paper.

Three billion SIG carton packs with no aluminum layer have now been sold to the dairy industry with SIG Terra Alu-free and SIG Terra Alu-free + Forest-based polymers packaging material. Both of these unique aluminum-free packaging materials set a precedent in sustainable packaging and are a huge step forward for the dairy sector. Growing consumer demand for sustainable yet convenient packaging options continues to create an important pull factor for food and beverage companies to transition to even more sustainable packaging solutions as part of the product lifecycle.

Robert Kummer, sales director Aseptic Cartons Europe at SIG, said, “Our customers want to minimize the footprint of their products every step of the way and we work closely together to innovate even more sustainable food and beverage packaging solutions for their needs. Having now delivered our 3 billionth carton pack without an aluminum layer to the dairy industry, this is a first and important milestone on our journey to end the use of aluminum in our packs."

With a high share of forest-based renewable materials, a lightweight and space-saving design, designed for full recyclability, and produced using 100% renewable electricity, SIG carton packs are the proven lowest carbon footprint choice compared with alternative packaging options¹. SIG’s packaging solutions, using unique packaging materials without aluminum layer, have set the high benchmark in sustainability even further. SIG Terra Alu-free cuts the carbon footprint of SIG’s standard packaging material by 23%². SIG Terra Alu-free + Forest-based polymers, which is 100% linked to renewable, forest-based materials via a certified mass-balancing system, takes this even further, offering a 63% lower carbon footprint compared to SIG’s standard packaging material². In 2023 SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier further extended SIG’s range of lower carbon packaging materials without aluminum layer for use with oxygen-sensitive products such as fruit juices, nectars, and plant-based beverages.

José Matthijsse, President & General Manager Europe at SIG, said, “The benefits of our pioneering aluminum-free packaging solutions push the boundaries when it comes to mixing sustainability and convenience. We continue to strive to develop our alu-free options further, including ambitious future plans to develop a full-barrier aluminum-free aseptic packaging structure with at least 90% paper content by 2030, with an interim target of at least 85% by 2025.”

SIG packaging materials without aluminum layer can be run on installed SIG filling lines, enabling customers to react quickly to changing market requirements. Only minor modifications are required, without the need for additional CAPEX.

¹ https://www.sig.biz/en/carton-packaging/sustainability/life-cycle-assessments

² https://cms.sig.biz/media/11984/sig_lca_signature_230522_final-report_incl_appendixes_v2_inlc_criticalreviewstatement.pdf