First fully plant-based drinks carton lands on shelves

Finnish dairy producer, Valio, has become the first company in the world to sell products to consumers in carton packaging made entirely from plastics derived from plants and paperboard.

The ‘Tetra Rex Bio-based’ cartons are manufactured with low density polyethylene used to create the laminate film for the packaging material and the neck of the opening, together with the high density polyethylene used for the cap, both of which are derived from sugar cane. These plastics, like the Forest Stewardship Council™​ (FSC™​)certified paperboard, are traceable to their origins.

“Valio is committed to increasing the share of renewable resources in its packaging material. We share a common vision of innovation and environmental responsibility with Tetra Pak and we are proud to be the first in the world to make our products available in a fully renewable carton package,” commented  Elli Siltala, Marketing Director at Valio.

The ‘Tetra Rex Bio-based’ packaging is being trialled by Valio in retail outlets across Finland until mid March and will use feedback from consumers after this to decide whether to adopt the cartons more broadly across its chilled product range.