CONVENIENCE FOOD PACKAGING
Carton packaging breaks new ground Tetra Recart makes it possible to retort a carton pack, giving food producers sustainable and economic options
C
Food packaging technologies are advancing because of emerging consumer demands, growing food producer requirements, global food safety, and sustainability imperatives, writes Stefan Fageräng.
onsumer lifestyle, tastes and
combine ease of use with high environmental
preferences require a wide portfolio
credentials. From tear-off solutions to
SHAKING UP CONVENIENCE FOR MODERN LIFESTYLES
of openings and closures to serve
perforation, the single-use openings combine
Retorts offer a new level of convenience for
on-the-go consumption, drinking, pouring,
simplicity and convenience for a well-
consumers who assemble quality meals in
cooking or spooning. Openings range from
accepted consumer choice.
their homes. Retorting is an in-container
simple perforations to tear-away tabs and
Newer plant-based caps are made from
sterilisation process where both the package
lids, one and two-step closures. Flip caps can
renewable polymers derived from sugar cane.
and its food contents are exposed to high
be closed again after opening; screw caps
They look identical and perform the same as
pressure, high temperature in a humid
can be resealed.
standard caps. They are not biodegradable
environment for a longer period of time. The
but can be recycled with plastics derived from
time and temperature exposure depend on
the cap one turn, have a clearly visible tamper
fossil fuels. Plant-based caps derived from
which food product is being sterilised. It also
evidence ring. That is an important part of the
sugarcane increase the renewable content
varies between different producers with the
opening mechanism and clear indication for
of carton packages and can contribute to
same type of food product, depending on the
consumers that the package has not already
reducing climate change impact.
qualities of the food they want to enhance. package type and has traditionally mainly
unscrewing the lid and lifting the intuitive
PATENT-FREE PAPER STRAWS – FOR THE GOOD OF THE PLANET
pull-ring or by twisting the lid and pulling
Paper straws represent a sustainable
it’s possible with carton packages. The major
a tab. Some consumers prefer two-step
development part of a broader programme to help
challenge when developing the package was
openings, mainly due to the perceived extra
address the issue of plastic straw waste. Tetra
to find a material structure that would be able
safety and hygiene.
Pak offers 100mm and 116mm straws available
to withstand the conditions inside a retort
for several of our carton packages. Our aim is to
and manage a shelf-life up to two years.
companies must continuously update their
expand the offer to U-shaped paper straws and
Each layer in the package has its own specific
portfolio offerings to increase the level of
telescopic paper straws and also extend their
purpose and together they keep the food
convenience offered. Development and
availability to other portion packages, while it
inside the package safe.
engineering teams are the knowledge centres
builds its own production capacity.
One-step openings, opened by twisting
been opened. Two-step openings are opened either by
As consumer preferences evolve,
that deliver solutions to meet consumer
Tetra Pak announced its intention to
Retorting is a tough process for any been used on metal cans and glass jars. Now
Food and beverage packaging face many complex challenges. The contents must be
needs. It is imperative that they innovate to
publish and share innovations on paper
delivered safely to people wherever they
support the entire portfolio and go beyond
straw developments, without filing for a
are, in ways that are convenient to their
technology and product development to
patent, to support industrial collaboration on
lifestyles. But the packaging must also be
include the full life cycle.
alternatives to single-use plastic straws for
sustainable if we are to preserve the planet
At the same time, they work to come up
beverage cartons. The straws are made from
and our natural resources. •
with innovations that optimise production,
FSC-certified paper and are recyclable along
reduce costs, and customise solutions for
with the rest of the carton. Biodegradable
our customers. All that, while improving the
options such as polyhydroxyalkanoates
environmental profile of our packages even
(PHA), a polymer derived from plant-based
further. Single-use openings, for example,
materials, which is also biodegradable is also
are practical, low-cost openings that
being explored.
48
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | FOOD REVIEW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stefan Fageräng is the MD of Tetra Pak Southern Africa. Tetra Pak - www.tetrapak.com
