As the market increasingly demands aseptic cartons without an aluminium layer, Hochwald, a leading dairy in Europe, takes a progressive stance by introducing UHT milk in SIG’s aluminium-free cartons. This initiative employs SIG Terra Alu-free packaging material, which reduces the already minimal carbon footprint of SIG’s standard packaging by up to 34%*.
Notably, SIG was the first company in the food and drink packaging industry to unveil a packaging solution that eliminates the aluminium layer for aseptic carton packs. To date, SIG customers have successfully filled over 3.6 billion litres of food in aluminium-free aseptic cartons. Leveraging its extensive experience, SIG expands its Terra portfolio of sustainable packaging innovations continuously. By selecting SIG Terra Alu-free, Hochwald empowers consumers to make more sustainable choices and effectively minimizes CO2e emissions through simplified material structure. The environmental benefits are prominently displayed on the exterior of the carton pack, ensuring consumers are well-informed.
SIG Terra Alu-free packaging comprises up to 82% FSCTM-certified renewable paperboard and features ultra-thin polymer layers for extended shelf life without refrigeration, ensuring that food and beverage products remain protected over time.
Volker Kölsch, Head of Procurement at Hochwald: “We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% within ten years, as we continuously strive to protect the environment. Our partnership with SIG is a building block in achieving this goal – by using SIG Terra Alu-free packaging material for our UHT milk products in SIG MidiBloc and SIG SlimlineBloc carton packs, the renewable share of the packaging is increased, and CO2e emissions are significantly reduced, as no aluminium layer is used.”
Both SIG and Hochwald actively participate in the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and have their sustainability targets approved by SBTi. This collaboration includes SIG’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.
José Matthijsse, President & General Manager Europe at SIG: “Across our packaging portfolio we have now sold enough packs with SIG Terra solutions to fill around 6 billion litres of food. In 2024 alone, approximately 1.7 billion litres of food was packed in aseptic cartons with SIG Terra packaging material. Sales of SIG Terra packaging materials increased by 15.1%, with further expansion in Europe where SIG Terra solutions accounted for 9.3% of food packed in SIG aseptic cartons. Our pioneering SIG Terra Alu-free solutions have created a benchmark in the industry, accelerating innovation on sustainability without compromising convenience. We have ambitious future plans for SIG Terra Alu-free options, which include developing a full barrier aseptic carton with at least 90% paper content, including closure, by 2030.”
* based on an independent ISO-compliant life-cycle assessment for SIG SlimlineBloc in Germany – IFEU LCA: CB-100734c: https://go.sig.biz/l/251992/2024-06-07/7rbypt/251992/1717755640TqYU2PTn/SIG_Terra_Alu_free_and_SIG_Terra_Alu_free_Forest_based_polymers_and_SI.pdf
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