Four reasons to choose carton packaging for ready-to-drink coffee
In the fast-paced world of ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, packaging plays a vital role in delivering quality, convenience and sustainability – factors that many of today’s consumers prioritise. Our cartons ensure that your products stand out, that their quality is preserved, and that consumers can enjoy them easily no matter where they are. Thanks to a high share of renewable materials, they also have a lower carbon footprint than many other packaging options.1
Research indicates that RTD coffee drinkers care about quality; that the product flavour (taste and aroma) are the keys to enjoyment. This holds true across the board, mass to premium products.
Given the number of products competing for consumers’ attention on the supermarket shelves, it’s not easy to make your products stand out. Naturally, as a producer, you want to make the most of every tool available to differentiate your brand.
360° printable surfaces
Starting with 360° printable surfaces, our carton packages provide the perfect blank canvas upon which to communicate what your brand stands for.
Convenience is one of the most important lifestyle trends influencing consumption decisions today. For time-crunched younger consumers, what could be better than an energy-boosting RTD coffee in a handy on-the-go portion package? It’s the perfect, stress-free pick-me-up.
According to our global research conducted in 2025, environmental concerns such as pollution, harm to nature and plastic littering are increasingly important and relevant to 75% of consumers.6 And they are not just thinking short-term. 60% cite that their purchase decisions are motivated by a desire to preserve the environment for future generations.6
Packaging solutions rating by consumers
Carton package: 43%
Glass bottle: 34%
Plastic bottle: 8%
Metal can: 7%
Plastic pouch: 4%
Plastic cup: 3%
Our ambition is to develop “the world’s most sustainable food package”, which is paper-based, with the lowest possible carbon footprint, made solely from responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials and fully recyclable.10
That’s why we are continuously striving to advance the shift from high-carbon, fossil-based materials towards low-carbon renewable ones, by increasing the paper content of our packaging.
Unlock growth in ready-to-drink coffee
Ready to seize opportunities in the booming RTD coffee market? Gain expert insights, access cutting-edge processing and packaging solutions, and receive tailored marketing support to drive your success. Whether you’re new to the category or already an established brand, let’s work together to innovate and grow your business.
1. Source: ifeu2020: ''Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Tetra Pak carton packages and alternative packaging systems for beverage and liquid food in the European market''
2. Innova Category Survey 2025, comprising over 57000 respondents across 35 countries.
3. Edible grocery includes sales from food & beverage categories, including dry grocery (cereal, cookies, etc.), baby food and formula, perishables (fresh fruits & vegetables, protein, dairy, etc.), and drinks (water, soda, alcoholic beverages, etc.).
4. Modern retail channels include cash and carry/club; convenience; discount; e-commerce; hyperstores; supermarkets and neighbourhood stores; others (including wholesale, other food specialists etc.).
5. Source: Flywheel Retail Insights, December 2025.
6. Tetra Pak® Sustainable Packaging Consumer Research 2025, comprising a total of 12,500+ consumer interviews based on an online questionnaire in 25 countries.
7. The certified recycled polymers used for the caps, tops and/or coatings of some of our carton packages are sourced and allocated to our solutions according to the ISCC mass balance attribution method. This means that the plastics are made from a mix of recycled and non-recycled virgin fossil feedstock, but that the corresponding mass of recycled materials in our packaging solutions has been sourced and traced throughout Tetra Pak's supply chain, and allocated to the caps, tops and/or coatings of our carton packages based on a mass balance approach, which is verified by a third-party auditor.
8. Considering a Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton with plant-based polymers in coating and paper-based barrier compared to a Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf package with aluminium foil layer and fossil-based polymers.
9.A packaging that is perceived as ‘’recyclable’’ and ‘’made of recycled materials’’ among some of its attributes.
10. This means creating cartons that are fully made of renewable or recycled materials, that are responsibly sourced, thereby helping to protect and restore our planet's climate, resources and biodiversity; contributing towards low carbon production and distribution; are convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system; and are fully recyclable.