SIG expands paper straw portfolio

SIG is expanding its portfolio of paper straws to increase the range of options available to beverage manufacturers, who want to provide consumers with the best convenient and sustainable paper alternative to single-use plastic straws.

In addition to its pioneering paper straight straw and paper U-straw for aseptic carton packs, SIG will now launch three new paper straws. SIG’s new and patented telescopic straw is a renewable and fully recyclable paper straw ideally suited for small carton packs, with a diameter of ⌀4.6mm and an initial length of 102mm, which can be extended to 165mm by pulling it. SIG’s new U-straws with two different diameters (⌀6mm and ⌀7.6mm) are for drinksplus products with value-added pieces of fruit, vegetables or cereal grains and ensure a smooth drinking experience. The new U-straws perfectly complement SIG’s existing ⌀4mm paper U-straw.

Paper straws are the perfect match for SIG’s fully recyclable carton packs, which are sustainable by nature and consist of 70-80% paperboard made from renewable wood sources. With a comprehensive portfolio of paper straws, the company continues to lead and innovate the beverage carton industry. SIG was the very first to offer a market-ready paper straw solution for aseptic carton packs, enabling its customers to meet the urgent need for sustainable alternatives to plastic straws. In line with the Single-Use Plastics Directive, plastic straws are banned across Europe from the beginning of July.

The paper used to make all SIG’s paper straws originates from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources. The wrappers for the straws remain attached to the carton pack to prevent littering and can be disposed and recycled together.

Zi Wang, product manager Straws at SIG, says, “We are committed to collaborating with our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to find new approaches to reducing single-use plastics while fostering recycling and minimizing waste. With our growing portfolio of paper drinking straws and ongoing efforts to use renewable materials, this is another milestone on our Way Beyond Good journey to put more back into society and the environment than we take out.”

SIG’s paper straws can be used with all SIG carton packs with straw holes, to maintain the convenience of small-size carton packs for easy on-the-go consumption for consumers. The structure and the diagonal cut of the straws make them robust enough to pierce the closed straw hole of the carton pack easily. SIG customers can use existing straw applicators with a small modification to attach them to packs.

SIG’s paper straw solutions enable beverage customers to meet forthcoming regulations, demonstrate their commitment to the environment and respond to growing consumer demand for more sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. This is just one of the ways SIG’s sustainable product innovation contributes to the company’s commitment to go Way Beyond Good for society and the environment.