By Tetra Pak Unveils World-First Paper-Based Barrier for Juice Packaging
A Major Step Toward Sustainable Cartons
Tetra Pak, in partnership with Spanish beverage producer García Carrión, has unveiled the world’s first paper-based barrier for juice packaging. The innovation marks a major shift in sustainable food packaging by reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.
The new packaging solution is now rolling out across several markets, starting with Spain. It reinforces Tetra Pak’s commitment to developing low-carbon, renewable packaging alternatives without compromising quality or safety.
A World-First Aseptic Carton for Juice
Together, Tetra Pak and García Carrión launched the Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 ml Slim Leaf carton under the Don Simón juice brand. This carton is the first juice portion pack globally to use a paper-based barrier. It is also the first of its kind available in Spain.
The carton contains up to 80 percent paper. When combined with plant-based polymers used in the coatings, the renewable content reaches 92 percent.
According to Carbon Trust verification, the new packaging reduces carbon emissions by 43 percent compared to conventional aseptic cartons that use aluminium foil and fossil-based polymers.
Don José García Carrión, President of García Carrión, said the launch reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability.
“For more than 135 years, we have prioritised responsible innovation and environmental respect. This packaging supports our mission to lower environmental impact while delivering high-quality products,” he said.
Fala Corujo, Vice President of García Carrión, added that the innovation aligns with the company’s broader sustainability goals.
For García Carrión, the solution also represents a new industrial application of its 360° Sustainability Strategy. The strategy earned the company the Factories of the Future Award 2024 for Excellence in Sustainability and Circular Economy.
Tetra Pak Unveils World-First Paper-Based Barrier for Juice Packaging
How the Paper-Based Barrier Works
Tetra Pak’s paper-based barrier replaces the traditional aluminium foil layer in aseptic cartons. By doing so, it shifts packaging away from fossil-based materials toward renewable alternatives with a lower carbon footprint.
Despite the change, the barrier continues to protect products from oxygen, light, moisture, and bacteria. As a result, food safety remains intact, and shelf life matches that of cartons using aluminium foil.
In addition, the new cartons can be collected, sorted, and recycled at scale where recycling infrastructure exists. The design improves recycling efficiency by increasing paper fibre recovery while maintaining high-quality fibre and non-fibre fractions.
Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President for Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak, said the launch demonstrates how sustainable innovation can scale.
“This milestone moves us closer to fully renewable and recyclable packaging. By working closely with customers, we show that sustainability, performance, and quality can go hand in hand across markets and categories,” she said.
Advancing Tetra Pak’s Long-Term Sustainability Vision
The paper-based barrier forms part of Tetra Pak’s wider ambition to create the world’s most sustainable food package. The company aims to develop cartons that rely entirely on responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials, deliver the lowest possible carbon footprint, and remain fully recyclable.
In 2023, Tetra Pak first introduced the paper-based barrier in collaboration with a dairy company in Portugal. The innovation later received the Resource Efficiency Award at the Sustainable Packaging News Awards 2024, cementing its role as a breakthrough in sustainable packaging development.
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