Packaging expert SIG has launched what it states is the world's first aluminum layer-free full barrier solution for aseptic multi-serve beverage cartons.
The solution continues the success of SIG's earlier released innovation for single-serve cartons, which has already sold more than 300 million packs in China since 2023.
Within aseptic cartons, there is an aluminum coating that is normally employed to prevent food and drink products from light and oxygen. Although aluminum only makes up around 5% of a typical aseptic carton, it contributes as much as 25% of its carbon impact in the complete-barrier pack.
As per SIG, the design for multi-serve cartons without an aluminum layer reduces the carbon footprint of its standard aseptic cartons by 61% when blended with forest-based polymers. The material consists of over 80% paper, reducing the packaging structure to just two key raw materials that are traceable to renewable sources.
The packaging material promises the same full barrier protection as standard aseptic cartons and the same shelf life of up to 12 months. It can seamlessly run on existing SIG carton filling lines with full performance, including high speeds 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, low-cost adaptations.
Based on coherent market insights, the aseptic processing industry is expected to increase at 9.2% CAGR between 2025 and 2032. The current market is USD 101.36 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach around USD 187.68 Bn by 2032. Market size is led by the rising usage of sustainable aseptic packaging solutions and eco-efficient production processes.
SIG's chief markets officer, Christoph Wegener, added: "By providing our complete barrier material without an aluminum layer, we are presenting a strong differentiator and representation of sustainability in aseptic carton packaging and opening up new possibilities in packaging sensitive categories of products like plant-based foods, juices, and nutritional drinks."
Source
E-commerce Platform: FoodBev Media
