Why Tetra Pak is Investing in Paper-Based Packaging Tech

Tetra Pak, one of the world’s largest food processing and packaging companies, has announced a €60m (US$69m) investment to advance its paper-based barrier technology.

The funding will support a new facility in Lund, Sweden, designed to help customers implement the technology across every stage of production — from barrier creation to packaging material and filled-package manufacturing.

The company aims to accelerate the rollout of paper-based barrier packaging to eventually replace traditional aluminium foil in aseptic beverage cartons. This innovation could help reduce the carbon footprint of certain beverage packaging products by as much as 43%.

Advancing paper-based barrier technology

The plant in Lund will focus on replacing the aluminium foil layer in aseptic beverage cartons with a new paper-based barrier. This approach simplifies the material structure from three to just two key components: paper and polymers.

Through this technology, Tetra Pak maximises the paper content in beverage cartons to about 80%. When combined with plant-based polymers, the cartons can reach up to 92% traceable renewable content — cutting their carbon footprint by up to 43%.

The new design also improves recycling efficiency, increasing the recovery of paper fibres during the recycling process and enhancing the quality of both fibre and non-fibre fractions.

Tetra Pak chose Lund for its strong foundation in research and materials development, its close partnership with Lund University, and access to advanced testing facilities at the MAX IV Laboratory.

The world’s first paper-based barrier

In 2023, Tetra Pak and Portuguese food company Lactogal launched the world’s first aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier — the Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf. This package maintains product quality under ambient conditions while reducing environmental impact.

The company’s latest investment extends its ambition to scale the technology to industrial level by 2025. By 2026, the paper-based barrier was also deployed in Asia for high-speed Tetra Pak A3 filling lines, with South Korea’s Maeil Dairies becoming the first company worldwide to use the solution for its soya beverage.

“Scaling sustainable packaging solutions should go hand in hand with operational efficiency," says Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President of Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak.

"By bringing our paper‑based barrier to high‑performing Tetra Pak A3 speed packaging lines, we are offering beverage producers an opportunity to adopt low-carbon packaging solutions based on renewable materials while maintaining food protection and cost‑competitiveness.”

Investing in sustainable packaging

According to McKinsey, integrating sustainability into business strategy can be highly profitable for retailers. Its 2025 report highlights a key opportunity for companies ready to invest and collaborate on innovative solutions that satisfy both consumer demand and regulatory standards.

This latest initiative supports Tetra Pak’s broader commitment to invest around €100m (US$115m) annually through 2030 to develop sustainable packaging systems.

Joakim Tuvesson, Vice President Materials and Package at Tetra Pak, adds: “By expanding our facilities and strengthening strategic partnerships, we aim to make our innovative paper-based barrier accessible to more customers, accelerating their transition to sustainable packaging materials.

"We look forward to starting production and welcoming first customers to the new pilot plant in the first quarter of 2027.”