According to SIG, it is the world’s first “aseptic carton package made with polymers linked to plant-based renewable materials.” Arla Foods Germany was the first to adopt it, and Arla now offers its 1 liter 1.5% and 3.8% organic milk in the Signature Pack.
Expanding stateside
Seattle-based Nutpods launched in 2013 with a line of coconut and almond-based non-dairy creamers. It released its first seasonal flavor, Pumpkin Spice, in September 2017. It sold out in just three weeks and will return in September 2018 repackaged in a SIGnature Pack.
“We continually look for new ways to grow our business while making less of an impact on the environment and discovered a great partner in SIG. Their product allows us to maintain our commitment to quality while consuming fewer fossil fuels – it’s a win-win,” said Tara Foster, vice president of operations at Nutpods.
SIG designed the pack as a way for brands to convey to its consumers that it cares about preserving the environment. Sustainability is a hot topic in the packaging industry because consumers are becoming more socially and environmentally-conscious than ever before.
“Consumers expect brands and retailers to be not only operationally more sustainable, but to offer more sustainable products to end-consumers. Of course sustainable packaging plays an important role to complement the product. Consumers want to do their part to ensure a greener future, and they are willing to search and purchase alternative products to meet their day-to-day needs,” Yasmin Siddiqi, marketing head of SIG Combibloc North America, told DairyReporter.
SIG said it aims to be “net positive by putting more into society and the environment than [it takes] out.”
“With regard to responsible sourcing, our ambition is ultimately to use only certified sustainable materials, products and services. Our 2030 goal is to use exclusively raw materials from certified sources and to use 50% of our purchasing volume for ‘net positive’ suppliers,” said Siddiqi.