EUROPE – Following Friesland Coberco’s expansion in use of its large 1.5 litre reclosable cartons for milk drinks in the Netherlands and Germany, the country’s largest producer of UHT drinking milk, Milchunion Hocheifel (MUH), has taken a giant step further and introduced a six litre ‘Six-Pack’ with a carrying handle.

Friesland started this month with 1.5 l cartons for low-fat milk. Meanwhile, MUH is selling its Tetra Pak six carton idea in Belgium. There, another six litre milk pack has also been introduced recently by established family dairy Melkinrichting Kreishoutem (MIK), which is best known for its Pur Natur organic yogurts.
MIK marketing manager Jan Stockmann claims that the bulk milk packaging is being used for two UHT products: MIK Melk and the organic Pur Natur drinking milk. “The six litre bulk packaging for retailing seems to be catching on well and we are already exporting our milk in this form to neighbouring France, the Netherlands and as far away as Italy,” he said. “Sales are increasing steadily so there’s definitely a demand for this practical approach.”