As global demand for aluminum-free aseptic cartons surges, Pomurske Mlekarne, a prominent dairy producer in Slovenia, has teamed up with SIG to debut its first milk product in SIG Terra MidiBloc Alu-free + Full barrier aseptic cartons. This partnership highlights a significant move towards sustainable food and drink packaging.
With a robust history of adopting SIG carton packs, the relaunch of Pomurske Mlejko 2.8% low-fat milk in SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging represents a key milestone for the local dairy sector. This new packaging offers full barrier protection without the use of aluminum, ensuring optimal product integrity.
Anthony Tomažin, Director at Pomurske Mlekarne: “Throughout our 80-year heritage we’ve been committed to continuously improving on quality and innovation. Our close cooperation with SIG has enabled us to be first to market in Slovenia with SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material – a pivotal move forward in sustainable packaging for the dairy industry and an integral part of our development as we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year. We’re excited to launch our first Pomursko Mlejko product in the new alu-layer-free packaging material.”
By eliminating the aluminum layer from aseptic cartons, SIG significantly reduces environmental impact and advances the development of a regenerative food packaging system. The SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging is composed of over 80% paper (excluding closures). The aluminum layer is substituted with an ultra-thin polymer coating that effectively safeguards products against oxygen, light, moisture, and aroma loss. This innovation decreases the number of raw materials from three to two, dramatically lowering the carbon footprint of multi-serve aseptic SIG cartons.1
Moreover, Pomurske Mlekarne reaps operational benefits since SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging runs seamlessly on existing SIG filling lines without diminishing performance. Transitioning between aluminum-free packaging and standard packaging is swift and efficient at any time.
Jovana Pinter, Head of Sales South-East Europe at SIG: “Our strong partnership with Pomurske Mlekarne demonstrates our shared values and commitment to always strive for better. The first launch of aseptic cartons made of SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material will offer consumers an even more sustainable packaging solution with no compromise on full barrier protection or shelf life.”
SIG pioneered aluminum-free packaging for aseptic cartons in 2010, originally developed for oxygen-sensitive products like plain white milk. With SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, SIG has achieved another milestone in advanced packaging barrier technology, now suitable for wider applications involving oxygen-sensitive products, such as fruit juices, flavored milk, and plant-based beverages. To date, SIG has sold over 4 billion packs featuring no aluminum layer.
1 Based on an independent ISO-compliant life-cycle assessment, cradle to grave for EU27+3: https://api.sig.biz/media/0dhjrkj1/lca_sig-terra-alu-free-plus-full-barrier-and-sig-terra-alu-free-plus-full-barrier-plus-forest-based-polymers-for-sig-midibloc-and-sig-midifit.pdf
