Bio-based carton cap ‘important step’ towards 100% renewable packaging solution – Tetra Pak

27-May-2013 - Last updated on 28-May-2013 at 12:08 GMT

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Tetra Pak has heralded the launch of its latest development - a high density polyethylene (HDPE) carton cap made from sugar cane – as “another important step” towards its goal of a 100% renewable packaging solution.

Switzerland-based processing and packaging giant, Tetra Pak, announced the global launch of its bio-based HDPE LightCap30 carton cap yesterday.

According to Tetra Pak product manager environmental innovation, Erik Steijger, the LightCap 30 development signifies the companies “continued commitment to environmental innovation and providing customers, retailers and consumers with the highest level of environmental performance for their packaging.”

“Further enhance” environmental image

Norwegian dairy processor, TINE, is the first brand in Europe to adopt the LightCap 30. TINE iced coffee, iced tea, chocolate milk, and Piano-brand vanilla sauce will be packaged in the Tetra Brik Aseptic Edge carton featuring the new LightCap 30.

Through its adoption of the new bio-based carton cap, TINE hopes to “further enhance” its environmental image.

“As one of Norway’s largest users of packaging, it is important that we use our resources optimally and prioritise sustainability,” said TINE sustainability manager, Björn Malm. “This is a business imperative for us.

“Tetra Pak’s TBA Edge, which is made from about 75% renewable resources, now comes with bio-based cap, offering us the opportunity to further enhance the environmental profile of our products.”

Sugar cane to polyethylene….

The renewable polyethylene used in the LightCap 30 begins life as sugar cane.

The cane is then crushed and the resulting juice fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. Through a process of dehydration, this ethanol is then converted into ethylene, which is then polymerised to produce polyethylene.

This polyethylene is then used to manufacture Tetra Pak’s LightCap 30.

LightCap 30 is the first of several carton caps being developed by Tetra Pak using bio-based polymers derived from sugar cane. Tetra Pak packages featuring bio-based polymer caps grew to 610m in 2012 – up significantly from 80m in 2011.

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