SIG launches aluminium layer-free, aseptic multi-serve

SIG, an aseptic carton package manufacturer, has commercial launched its Terra Alu-free + Full barrier for multi-serve aseptic cartons. Building on the success of this packaging material innovation in the field of single-serve cartons – with over 300 million packs sold in China since 2023 – SIG is scaling up the world’s first, aluminium-layer-free full-barrier packaging material to multi-serve aseptic cartons.

The packaging structure for multi-serve cartons with no aluminium layer cuts the carbon footprint of SIG’s standard aseptic cartons by up to 61% when combined with forest-based polymers, the firm says. Made of more than 80% paper, the material simplifies the packaging structure to only two main raw materials, which can all be linked to renewable sources.

The packaging material can run on existing SIG carton filling lines with full performance including high-speed of up to 24,000 packs per hour on SIG filling lines for small-size cartons and up to 15,000 packs per hour on filling lines for multi-serve cartons with only minor adaptations.

“At SIG, we are leading the industry transition to alu-layer-free aseptic carton packaging materials. With our full barrier material with no aluminium layer, we are offering a powerful differentiator and embodiment of sustainability in aseptic carton packaging, unlocking new opportunities for packaging sensitive product categories such as plant-based products, juices, and nutritional beverages. As a result, our SIG Terra portfolio now offers an aseptic carton solution without aluminum layer for all product categories we serve, without compromising on shelf life”, said Christoph Wegener, chief markets officer at SIG.

Although aluminium accounts for just around 5% of a standard aseptic carton, it accounts for up to 25% of its carbon footprint in a full-barrier package. Removing the aluminum layer is a significant step in reducing the already low carbon footprint of standard SIG aseptic cartons even further and simplifies the packaging structure, the company says.