Coca-Cola took the Gold in the Technology in Beverage Packaging prize for being the first brand to use Tetra Pak cartons with bio-based low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films derived from sugar cane.
Braskem, biopolymer producer
Del Valle juice reaches more than 200m Brazilian consumers every year. The packaging was introduced in February after a successful pilot programme with Coca-Cola.
Combined with paperboard, bio-based LDPE produced by Braskem, biopolymer producer, increases the content of renewable materials to 78% in the Tetra Prisma Aseptic package. It has only been introduced to the Brazilian market for now.
Brazilian dairy Vigor won Silver in the Packaging Innovation – Healthy Products category for its Actilife probiotics, which uses the Tetra Top Carton Shot with Lokka opening.
Eduardo Eisler, cluster leader, marketing and product management, North, Central & South America, told FoodProductionDaily.com using renewable materials is a competitive advantage for its customers, offering a point of differentiation against rival packages at a time when competition is increasing and consumers are looking for more environmentally-friendly products.
“The use of bio-based low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films in the package’s composition means we’ve replaced a non-renewable material with a renewable one and driven a reduction in the package’s overall environmental impact,” he said.
Sugar cane
“LDPE is derived from sugar cane, instead of conventional fossil sources. This means a higher proportion of the packaging materials are renewably sourced – which has benefits in terms of environmental impact and a reduction in the use of non-renewables at a time of increasing resource scarcity.
“The package can be recycled in exactly the same way as a conventional package – ensuring there is no compromise once the package has reached end of life.”
Eislersaid Tetra Pak has launched a range of products recently based on bio-material alternatives to conventional plastics. For example, its first bio-based cap in 2011, and the roll-out of bio-based coatings to all packages produced in Brazil.
“We also announced a Tetra Rex package made from 100% renewable packaging materials earlier this month,” he added.
The ABRE Awards, established in 2001, have 25 categories in total, which recognise quality, technology, design, functionality and innovation within the packaging industry.
Other winners include Team Créatif for its module packaging for Jasmine Beaba; PepsiCo for its Lays crisps; and Nestlé for tis Nest Frutti Yogurt.
Click here to see the full list of winners.