SIG, the pioneer of aseptic carton packaging without an aluminum layer, proudly announces its latest innovation: SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier for multi-serve aseptic cartons. Following the remarkable success of this industry-first packaging solution in the single-serve market—over 300 million packs sold in China since 2023—SIG is set to scale this groundbreaking full-barrier packaging material for multi-serve solutions, ready to serve customers globally.
In a significant advancement for the food and beverage packaging sector, SIG introduces its commercial release of SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, specifically designed for multi-serve aseptic cartons.
Building on the success of this revolutionary packaging innovation, which has recorded over 300 million packs sold in China since 2023, SIG is expanding this aluminum-layer-free, full-barrier solution to multi-serve aseptic cartons. The company is fully equipped to supply this innovative packaging at scale to clients worldwide.
The unique packaging structure for multi-serve cartons, devoid of aluminum, can reduce the carbon footprint of SIG’s standard aseptic cartons by up to 61% when combined with forest-based polymers. Composed of more than 80% paper, this material simplifies the packaging composition to just two primary raw materials, both renewable.
This advanced packaging material provides the same level of full barrier protection as traditional aseptic cartons, maintaining a shelf life of up to 12 months. It can operate seamlessly on existing SIG filling lines, achieving high speeds of up to 24,000 packs per hour for small-sized cartons and up to 15,000 packs per hour for multi-serve cartons, with only minor and cost-effective adaptations. This plug-and-play solution enables SIG customers worldwide to capitalize on the numerous environmental benefits associated with aluminum-layer-free, full-barrier packaging, without compromising product quality or production performance.
“At SIG, we are leading the industry transition toward aluminum-layer-free aseptic carton packaging materials. With our full-barrier solution devoid of aluminum, we bring a significant competitive advantage and embodiment of sustainability in aseptic carton packaging, unlocking new possibilities for sensitive product categories such as plant-based products, juices, and nutritional beverages. Consequently, our SIG Terra portfolio now provides an aseptic carton solution free from aluminum for all categories we serve, while preserving shelf life,” said Christoph Wegener, chief markets officer at SIG.
Decarbonizing the food and beverage industry is more crucial than ever. Traditionally, an aluminum layer protects food and beverage products from oxygen and light in aseptic cartons. Though aluminum constitutes approximately 5% of a standard aseptic carton, it contributes up to 25% of the carbon footprint of full-barrier packaging. Eliminating the aluminum layer represents a significant stride in further reducing the already low carbon footprint of standard SIG aseptic cartons, while also simplifying the packaging structure from three to merely two main raw materials, thus increasing the paper content to over 80%.
SIG first introduced aluminum-layer-free packaging for aseptic cartons in 2010: SIG Terra Alu-free—initially designed for plain liquid dairy products. With the introduction of SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, SIG expands aluminum-layer-free options for a broader range of oxygen-sensitive products including fruit juices, nectars, flavored milk, and plant-based beverages. SIG plans to systematically roll out SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier across all flagship aseptic carton formats, both small-size and multi-serve, catering to all beverage and dairy categories.
Since the debut of the first aluminum-layer-free aseptic carton in 2010, SIG has successfully sold over 4 billion packs featuring no aluminum layer, including 300 million alu-free full-barrier cartons. These milestones underscore SIG’s leadership in sustainable aseptic packaging.
Gavin Steiner, chief technology officer at SIG, emphasized sustainability as integral to the business, aiming to create a regenerative food packaging system.
“Looking ahead, SIG plans to elevate the paper content in its aseptic cartons to at least 90%, including closures, by 2030, with a current interim target of 85% without closures this year. This initiative will further enhance renewability, reduce carbon footprints, and streamline the recycling process for aseptic cartons, requiring only the separation of paperboard and polymers,” Steiner added.