Food packaging and processing company Tetra Pak has announced that it is testing paper straws for beverage products in Europe.
The move makes it the first carton packaging company to offer paper straws for beverage cartons in the continent.
'An Important Step'
President and CEO of Tetra Pak, Adolfo Orive, said, "We are pleased to have developed a paper straw that is fully functional and meets internationally recognised food safety standards.
"This is an important step in our vision to deliver a package made entirely from plant-based packaging materials, contributing to a low-carbon circular economy," he added.
The recyclable straws, made of FSC-certified paper, will be initially available for two small-size carton packages commonly used in dairy and beverage products for children.
In the trial phase, the company will be using limited volumes of the product as it steps up production in its straw plant in Lisbon in Portugal.
Innovative Solution
The company has decided to put the innovative solution in the public domain and will not apply for patent protection.
Orive explained, "For the industry to achieve its common goal of driving towards a low-carbon circular economy, the entire supply base for paper straws must expand and grow quickly. We invite all suppliers and customers to use our knowledge and join forces with us to ramp up production as quickly as possible.”
The company is also working with technology leaders to explore other plant-based, biodegradable options in packaging.
It aims to develop sustainable options for tethered caps and integrated drink-from systems.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
