SIG introduces world’s first aseptic aluminium-free 1L carton

SWITZERLAND – SIG, a packaging company, has launched the first 1-litre aseptic carton packs made of SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material, which helps reduce the low carbon footprint of standard SIG carton packs.

SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier offers the same full barrier protection as standard SIG aseptic carton material and the same shelf life of up to 12 months.

The SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material is made from more than 80% paper and replaces the aluminum layer with an ultra-thin polymer coating that protects products against oxygen, light, moisture, and aroma loss.

This innovation cuts the number of raw materials from three to two and can lower the carbon footprint of multi-serve aseptic SIG cartons by up to 61% when combined with forest-based polymers, without compromising full barrier function, shelf life or filling line performance. 

The packaging material is available globally at scale and can seamlessly run on existing SIG filling lines, including high-speed capabilities of up to 24,000 packs per hour for small-size cartons and 15,000 packs per hour for multi-serve formats.

With only minor adjustments required to existing filling machines, this is a plug-and-play solution for brands and manufacturers seeking to make a rapid transition.

Customers also benefit from the renowned flexibility of the SIG filling lines. Switching between packaging material without an aluminum layer and standard packaging material is quick and easy at any time.

José Matthijsse, President & General Manager Europe at SIG, said, “At SIG, one of our goals is to increase the paper content in our aseptic cartons to at least 90% – including the closure – by 2030, allowing further reduction of carbon emissions, and creating a regenerative food packaging system.

On the way there, we have developed this packaging structure that is made of more than 80% paper and reduces the number of raw materials from three to two. This breakthrough innovation has the potential to streamline the recycling process for aseptic cartons, only requiring the separation of paperboard and polymers.”

The company stated that removing the aluminum layer from aseptic cartons, traditionally used to protect oxygen-sensitive products like juice, plant-based drinks, or flavored milk, marks a milestone in the journey to create a regenerative food packaging system. This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact.

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