Unilever’s Lipton Ice Tea switches to SIG’s Signature Full Barrier cartons for carbon cuts

04 May 2022 --- Unilever’s Lipton Ice Tea is switching to SIG aseptic carton packs with SIG’s Signature Full Barrier packaging material in the Netherlands. The Signature material originates from polymers linked to certified forest-based renewable materials via a mass-balance system. 

Lipton has been using SIG aseptic carton packs in the Netherlands for many years and its ice tea will now use carton packs with SIG’s Signature Full Barrier starting this month. 

The brand describes the switch as an “important step” that contributes to Unilever’s wider environmental sustainability goal of becoming fully net-zero by 2039.

Signature Full Barrier
With around 20 million packs sold yearly, this packaging transition matches the brand’s strong environmental sustainability ambition and meets the demands and expectations of Dutch retailers and consumers, it says.

Lipton, who is committed to using the most environmentally sustainable packaging solutions, has chosen SIG’s combifitMagnum 1,500 ml carton pack with Signature Full Barrier. 

Carton packs with Signature Full Barrier reduce carbon footprint compared to a standard pack, as a result of the substitution of fossil polymers with mass-balanced plant-based polymers made from tall oil – a by-product of paper manufacturing. 

Mass-balance approach
All three key raw materials come from certified responsible sources via mass-balance systems: the paperboard is from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources, the forest-based renewable polymers are certified according to ISCC PLUS, and the ultra-thin layer of aluminum protecting against light and oxygen is covered by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative certification.

Carton packs with Signature Full Barrier reduce carbon footprint compared to a standard pack.Anne Kooijman, assistant brand manager at Lipton, says: “Thanks to our close cooperation with the team at SIG, we’re able to package our ice tea in an even more [environmentally] sustainable way, as we aim to become a fully circular brand and significantly reduce our carbon footprint and that of our consumers.”

“Changes such as switching to Signature Full Barrier can make a big difference as we continuously work to improve the overall environmental sustainability of our product portfolio.”

SIG’s growing Signature portfolio is being adopted by more and more leading food and beverage brands, as they realize the added value of using carton packs with improved environmental performance.

Sonia Voicu, marketing manager BeNeLux and France at SIG, concludes: “Our Signature portfolio is a pioneering and innovative answer to the growing demand from the industry and consumers for even more environmentally sustainable packaging solutions.”

With around 20 million packs sold yearly, the move meets the demands and expectations of Dutch retailers and consumers.Other SIG news
In a similar development, SIG has secured its first customer in Australia for its Signature Full Barrier packaging material. Plant-based stock, bouillon and seasoning producer Massel will use the aseptic cartons to package its liquid stock range. 

At the beginning of the year, SIG launched the world’s first aluminum-free full barrier packaging materials for aseptic carton packs, suitable for oxygen-sensitive products like fruit juices, nectars, flavored milk or plant-based beverages. 

Signature Evo extends SIG’s lower-carbon offering, after the aseptic systems and solutions provider previously developed aluminum-free materials for oxygen-insensitive products like plain white UHT milk.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese start-up Roots of Quality Foods has unveiled its first plant-based drink in SIG’s combifitSmall 300 ml carton pack, with the added benefit of SIG’s reclosable combiSmart closure. 

The aseptic packaging and system supplier’s carton pack provides the apricot kernel drink with convenience for on-the-go lifestyles and high visibility on shelves, meeting the growing consumer demand for healthier, more convenient and more environmentally sustainable beverages.

Edited 

By Natalie Schwertheim