The anatomy of Tetra Pak® carton packages

Our packages have been in constant development since we started more than 70 years ago. Then, as now, paperboard is the primary material used to produce our carton packages. We use just enough to make the package stable, without adding unnecessary weight. Paperboard is made from wood fibres, a renewable resource that, if managed responsibly, grows back.

The anatomy of Tetra Pak® carton packages

Our packages have been in constant development since we started more than 70 years ago. Then, as now, paperboard is the primary material used to produce our carton packages. We use just enough to make the package stable, without adding unnecessary weight. Paperboard is made from wood fibres, a renewable resource that, if managed responsibly, grows back.

Elements of a carton package

Paperboard role, packaging material

Paperboard

On average, more than 70 percent of a Tetra Pak carton by weight is paperboard. Although we don't own or manage any forests, we apply our purchasing power to promote sustainable forest management.

Polymer granules

Polymers

Polymers protect against outside moisture and enables the paperboard to stick to the aluminium foil. Plastic is also used to make caps, closures, and straws. In 2011 we launched the industry's first caps made from plant-based polymers while in 2020, we introduced certified recycled polymers in our carton packages, increasing the circularity of our packages.

Aluminium⁠ foil

Aluminium

On the inside of our aseptic cartons, a layer of aluminium eight times thinner than a human hair provides vital protection from oxygen and light, keeping perishable food safe without refrigeration for months. We are continually innovating to make this layer as thin as possible and working towards developing an aseptic package that uses an alternative material for its barrier layer.

Towards the world’s most sustainable food package1

In 2018, we started to restructure our packaging portfolio innovation strategy around our vision of the ideal beverage carton – one made fully of responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials, fully recyclable, and carbon-neutral. In 2019, we significantly accelerated our development efforts and increased our investment to achieve this vision, focusing on different workstreams, such as increase the share of renewable materials or using certified recycled polymers and paper in our packaging materials.

1 This means creating cartons that are fully made of renewable or re cycled materials, that are responsibly sourced, thereby helping to protect and restore our planet's climate, resources and biodiversity; contributing towards carbon-neutral production and distribution; are convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system; and are fully recyclable.