Plastic phase-out: Tetra Pak launches non-patented paper straws in Europe

18 Jul 2019 --- Tetra Pak has become “the first carton packaging company” to launch paper straws in Europe, in a move that brings the supplier a step closer to delivering an entirely plant-based carton package. Made from FSC-certified paper and recyclable with the rest of the package, the new paper straw will be available initially for two small size carton packages commonly used for dairy and beverage products for children: Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Base and Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Base Crystal.

Tetra Pak also intends to publish and share its innovations on paper straw developments to support industrial collaboration on the alternatives to single-use plastic straws for beverage cartons.

“The paper straw has passed rigorous tests in our product development process. We are confident that we now have a paper straw that meets internationally recognised food safety standards and our requirements on functionality, such as piercing the hole in the package,” a company spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.

On the topic of avoiding “sogginess” and a paper “taste,” the spokesperson explains that the company “recognizes these challenges, which is why we are working with specialists in different areas, such as material specification and sourcing, manufacturing and application to find optimal solutions. To make the straw suitable for contact with liquid food, it needs to be treated and adhesives need to be added. Such adhesives must be rigorously assessed prior to use in order to meet EU and other relevant internationally recognized legislation,” they say.Tetra Pak are confident that its straws reach internationally recognised food safety standards and their requirements on functionality.

In addition to meeting all relevant safety and regulatory criteria, on-pack straws must also fulfil a number of other fundamental requirements, such as water resistance and resistance to physical stress during food distribution and in retail environments. Consumer research has already been conducted, the results of which will be combined with the field test findings to improve the performance of the straws, the representative explains.

Single-use plastics, such as straws, are coming under heat from an increasingly environmentally-conscious society. This has recently been cemented in EU regulation, which was finalized in May. In a bid to tackle marine litter, then 10 single-use products most commonly found on European beaches will be banned. The policy will cover cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, sticks for balloons, as well as cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. Member states now have two years to transpose the legislation in their national law.

“We are pleased to have developed a paper straw that is fully functional and meets internationally recognized 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,” says Adolfo Orive, President and CEO, Tetra Pak.

“We have decided not to apply for patent protection on the numerous technical improvements we have made on the equipment and the materials and instead put our innovations into the public domain,” he explains. 

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. Therefore, the carton giant is inviting all suppliers and customers to use its knowledge and join forces with it to “ramp up production as quickly as possible.”

The field testing of the paper straw is beginning with limited volumes while the company increases production capacity at its straw plant in Lisbon, Portugal.Tetra Pak also intends to publish and share its innovations on paper straw developments.

“At this stage, this is a field test with limited volumes, during July and August, to evaluate the performance and to gain consumer insights of the new straw. We are progressively building our capacity to service all customers interested in our paper straw. We are investing in several machines ourselves and we will investigate the possibility of building a network of co-suppliers to maximise the product availability as quickly as possible,” notes the spokesperson.

The company also announced that it has been assessing technical advancements and working with a number of technology leaders to explore biodegradable options, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a polymer derived from plant-based materials which is also biodegradable. 

Other sustainable drink-from development projects in Tetra Pak’s pipeline include tethered caps and integrated drink-from systems. The company has mobilized development and supply chain teams, securing extra resources to advance these priority plans. 

Regulatory and societal pressure is driving innovators to deliver non-plastic straws that offer functionality to rival the “original.” Earlier this month, BillerudKorsnäs launched a functional 180° bendable straw made out of paper in collaboration with The Paper Straw Co. Meanwhile, Beverage carton supplier SIG launched an FSC-certified paper alternative which can be recycled via existing paper recycling streams and food packaging supplier Huhtamaki’s PEFC-certified paper straws are made of fiber sourced from sustainably managed forests.

By Laxmi Haigh