Tetra Pak, Lactalis develop recycled material linked to used beverage cartons

Switzerland-based Tetra Pak and France-based dairy group Lactalis have unveiled a carton package that uses certified recycled polymers linked to used beverage cartons, and say the development marks a significant step toward a circular economy.

According to Tetra Pak, this material has been certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus program as originating from the recycling process of used beverage cartons in Spain and is allocated to the package based on a mass balance attribution method. The company says this means the certified recycled polymers are made of a mix of recycled and nonrecycled virgin fossil feedstock, ensuring the corresponding volume of recycled material is sourced and tracked throughout the supply chain.

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The material is verified by a third-party auditor, according to the ISCC Chain of Custody Procedure. Tetra Pak says the chemical recycling process ensures that the certified recycled polymers do not compromise the package’s quality, food safety or any other attributes, further demonstrating the circular potential of cartons.

Tetra Pak says the advancement keeps quality resources in circulation and reduces the industry’s dependence on virgin, fossil-based materials, which aligns with both Tetra Pak’s and Lactalis’ ambitions to further enhance the environmental profile of packaging. Tetra Pak plans to invest 100 million euros ($108.1 million) annually for the next five to 10 years to achieve this, while Lactalis has made responsible packaging and the circular economy one of its global environmental priorities, together with animal welfare across its partner farms and decarbonization of all its activities by 2050.

“Our collaboration with Tetra Pak is rooted in a shared vision and commitment to environmental stewardship for future generations, facilitated by circular economy principles,” says Joël Llovera, director of Lactalis Iberia. “Packaging innovation plays a crucial role in this endeavor. We are dedicated to sustainable progress. Transitioning from fossil-based polymers to recycled ones, certified by ISCC Plus as linked to used beverage cartons, represents a significant stride towards our objective.”

Lactalis’ initiative involves packing its Puleva dairy range sold in Spain—including calcium skimmed, semiskimmed, whole and lactose-free milk—in Tetra Birk Aseptic 1000 Slim cartons featuring the HeliCap 23 Pro closure. Following the market introduction under the Puleva brand, Lactalis says it aims to gradually expand its range of dairy products in packaging that uses certified recycled polymers.

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“Increasing the usage of renewable and recycled resources in packaging is critical if we are to help food and beverage producers realize material circularity, turning waste into new resources and lowering reliance on virgin, fossil-based materials,” says Marco Marchetti, vice president of packaging materials, sales and distribution solutions at Tetra Pak. “To scale up the adoption of certified recycled polymers in food packaging, we need collective action across the entire system and enabling legislation. Scientists, policymakers, recyclers, industry players and others must work together to turn challenges into opportunities, as shown by our world-first introduction with Lactalis.”