Tetra Pak invests €60 million in pilot plant to advance paper-based barrier technology

As part of its long-term ambition to develop the world’s most sustainable food package, Tetra Pak introduced a new aseptic carton structure in which the aluminium barrier layer is replaced by a paper-based alternative. This innovation raises the paper content of beverage cartons to approximately 80% and, when combined with plant-based polymers, increases the traceable renewable content to as much as 92%. At the same time, the simplified material structure – reduced from three to two main materials, paper and polymers – is expected to deliver additional benefits for recycling, including improved recovery of paper fibres and high-quality separation of fibre and non-fibre fractions.

To accelerate the industrialisation of this solution, Tetra Pak decided to invest in a dedicated pilot plant in Lund. The facility will allow customers to gain insight into the entire manufacturing journey, from barrier creation to packaging material production and the filling of finished packages.

Lund was selected as the location for the pilot plant due to its strong links to existing research and material development activities, the close collaboration with Lund University, and access to advanced testing capabilities at the MAX IV Laboratory.

“By expanding our facilities and strengthening strategic partnerships, we aim to make our innovative paper-based barrier accessible to more customers, accelerating their transition to sustainable packaging materials. We look forward to starting production and welcoming the first customers to the new pilot plant in the first quarter of 2027,” said Joakim Tuvesson, Vice President Materials & Package at Tetra Pak.

The investment forms part of Tetra Pak’s broader commitment to invest approximately €100 million per year through to 2030 in the development of sustainable packaging solutions.