With an investment of €60 million, Tetra Pak is building a new pilot plant at its Lund site in Sweden to further develop paper-based barrier materials. The aim is to advance the development of aseptic packaging material without an aluminum layer. Instead, a paper-based barrier will be used, which increases the proportion of renewable raw materials and reduces the packaging's carbon footprint.

Tetra Pak opts for paper instead of aluminum in aseptic cartons

The planned packaging solution is expected to increase the proportion of paper in beverage cartons to around 80 percent. In combination with plant-based polymers, the proportion of renewable materials can rise to up to 92 percent. At the same time, the new structure promises a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 43 percent compared to the conventional version. Eliminating the aluminum layer also improves recyclability. In the future, only two main materials, paper and polymers, will be processed.

Pilot plant as a driver of development

The new plant in Lund makes it possible to simulate the entire process chain: from barrier production and packaging material production to filling. This gives customers early insight into new technologies and allows them to prepare for their own transitions. The location was chosen deliberately: in addition to its connection to its own research, Tetra Pak is leveraging synergies with Lund University and the testing facilities of the MAX IV Laboratory for materials research.

Focus on market readiness for paper-based barriers

Joakim Tuvesson, Vice President of Materials & Package at Tetra Pak, emphasizes the strategic importance of the investment: “By expanding our facilities and strengthening strategic partnerships, we aim to make our innovative paper-based barrier accessible to more customers, accelerating their transition to sustainable packaging materials.”

Tetra Pak plans to invest €100 million annually in the development of sustainable packaging technologies

The pilot plant is part of a comprehensive program. Tetra Pak plans to invest around €100 million annually in the development of sustainable packaging technologies until 2030. The company launched its first commercial carton packaging with a paper-based barrier in 2023. This was honored with the Resource Efficiency Award from Sustainable Packaging News in 2024.