This month Nestlé Brazil’s Ninho and MolicoUHT products will be rolled out in the country using the new closures.
This is the first ever launch of a polyethylene (PE) cap made out of sugar cane derivatives, a Tetra Pak spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.com.
The new renewable material has been developed by Braskem, Brazil’s largest petrochemical company, according to the packaging giant.
"The process contributes to the global reduction of greenhouse gases since sugar cane, a renewable resource, absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere,” said Tetra Pak.
“We hope that with this move we will encourage increased investment in Green PE and, therefore, more available supply,” said the spokesperson.
Long-term goal
Tetra Pak said all the paper used for the production of the milk cartons also uses approximately 75 per cent material from a renewable resource – wood.
“Over time, as we increasingly adopt plant-based plastics, we expect to be able to offer a carton that is 100 per cent renewable,” said Tetra Pak.
The launch is a step towards Tetra Pak’s goal of offering a 100 per cent renewable packaging range, said the firm.
“With the increasing demand for oil, limitations in supply and upcoming climate change related regulations, different companies are looking with interest at the potential use of green plastics in our packaging,” said the Tetra Pak spokesperson.
Ivan Zurita, president of Nestlé Brazil said the food group’s global social responsibility platform involves it teaming up with institutes, business foundations, governments, NGOs and private companies such as Tetra Pak and Braskem.