Tetra Pak supports EU’s SUPD transition with paper straw and tethered cap expansions

30 Mar 2021 --- Tetra Pak is preparing its European customers to comply with the upcoming Single Use-Plastics Directive (SUPD) by expanding its line of paper straws made from renewable and low-carbon materials.

The company is also introducing tethered beverage caps to approximately 40 different packaging offerings, keeping closures connected to the cartons. 

The SUPD banning plastic straws will come into force in July 2021, forcing EU-based beverage producers, retailers, manufacturers and importers to adopt tethered caps and lids – designed to remain attached to containers – by July 2024.

Tetra Pak views the SUPD as an integral part of the wider approach announced in the EU Plastics Strategy and an important element of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.

“We will be spending approximately €100 million (US$117 million) annually per year for the next five to ten years on developing sustainable solutions,” a Tetra Pak spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.

This includes alternative solutions to on-pack plastic straws, such as paper straws, tethered caps and other drink-from systems.

While the SUPD banning plastic straws will come into force by July 2021, caps and lids will have to remain attached to containers by July 2024.“Whenever applicable, our tethered caps will feature less plastic content than untethered ones, as well as strengthening key functionalities,” they say.

“Those are only some of the additional benefits we are delivering to food and beverage manufacturers, while helping them to meet upcoming legislative requirements.” 

Tethered caps implementation challenges
According to Lars Holmquist, executive vice president of Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions and commercial operations, the significant challenge of deploying tethered caps is the scale of the change it induces across the value chain.

“If we look at Europe alone, more than 1,000 packaging lines supplied by us will be potentially transformed, translating into over 20 billion packages expected to be converted,” he explains.

This is projected to take place within three years, while minimizing the impact on Tetra Pak’s customers’ operations. Regardless, consumer experience cannot be compromised and the focus on creating a carton package with increased plant-based and recycled content remains, stresses the company.

Paper straw benefits
Tetra Pak indicates its tethered caps and paper straws developments mark the latest additions to its range of responsible end-to-end solutions, allowing manufacturers to achieve their ambitions in three essential areas – food safety, food waste and the environment – simultaneously.

The paper straws aim to address various customer environmental sustainability needs without compromising on food safety or end-user drinking experiences.

Tetra Pak is replacing its plastic straw with a paper-based alternative.According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, approximately 32 percent of all plastic packaging is not collected and plastic can take hundreds of years to degrade.

The SUPD’s main objective is to prevent and reduce marine litter caused by single-use plastic items. EU Member States implementing the directive into national legislation will lead to a ban on select products, whenever affordable alternatives are available, among other measures. 

The plant-based revolution
Tetra Pak’s tethered caps will all be made available as a plant-based option. The first one to be released on the market is the HeliCap 26 Pro closure. 

The HeliCap 26 Pro closure features a new screw and flip concept with a self-locking hinge, securing food protection while providing convenience for home consumption. 

Its opening and closing mechanism has “proven popular with consumers,” according to Tetra Pak, while also meeting legislative requirements.

The tethered caps can also be made of recycled content at two Tetra Pak production sites in Europe. PackagingInsights recently spoke with Tetra Pak about its recycled PE polymer portfolio launch for food contact applications.

“Our ambition is for all our packages to use renewable or recycled polymers, or alternative fiber or cellulose-based materials, with no further extraction of fossil feedstock necessary,” concludes the Tetra Pak spokesperson.

By Anni Schleicher