Tetra Pak offer sugarcane packaging
Multinational food and beverage packaging company Tetra Pak, in collaboration with plant-based polymer supplier Braskem, has become the first company in the food and drink sector to offer packaging made from responsibly-sourced plant-based polymers, using the Bonsucro standards for sustainable sugarcane.
The move is part of Tetra Pak’s recently launched Planet Positive initiate, which urges industry stakeholders to drive ethical and responsible business practices across global supply chains, while committing to a low-carbon circular economy.
The plant-based polymers used in some of Tetra Pak cartons -including its closures – are produced from sugarcane. As the company’s plant-based polymer supplier, Braskem has achieved 100% Bonsucro certified volumes of sugarcane derived bioethanol, which in turn establishes full supply chain transparency for Tetra Pak’s plant-based solutions.
We’ve seen a growing trend of consumers wanting to do more for the planet and they look to brands to help. Today, 91% of consumers look for environmental logos when shopping and Bonsucro Chain of Custody Certification can be used to communicate credible information to consumers, thereby helping our customers differentiate their products.
Tetra Pak VP sustainability Mario Abreu
“Our plant-based polymers are fully traceable to their sugarcane origin. We see plant-based materials as playing a key role in achieving a low-carbon circular economy. In the future, all polymers we use will either be made from plant-based materials or from post-consumption recycled food grades.” – added Mario Abreu.
Danielle Morley, CEO of Bonsucro said: “Bonsucro provides a global platform for collective action to accelerate sustainability in the production and processing of sugarcane.
Sugarcane: How is the packaging industry using the resource?
Sugarcane-derived packaging has grown in popularity over the years, due to its sustainable properties.
Tetra Pak’s use of polymer sugarcane packaging will help significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and support economic growth that is separate from fossil and limited sources.
Braskem, Tetra Pak’s supplier, is now 100% certified against the Bonsucro volumes of sugarcane derived bioethanol, for the company’s plant-based packaging. This move has allowed for full transparency in the supply chain. The Bonscuro certified labels will be available to place on packaging from Q1 2020.
Braskem renewable business unit leader Gustavo Sergi said: “We have been working with Tetra Pak for more than ten years and Bonsucro Chain of Custody reinforces the Responsible Ethanol Sourcing Programme from Braskem, with the assurance and traceability of the entire sugarcane value chain, all the way back to the growers and mills.”
Bonsucro provides a global platform for collective action to accelerate sustainability in the production and processing of sugarcane. Working with Tetra Pak to achieve third-party certification and product labelling of their sugarcane-derived packaging is a milestone. Customers can be assured that our rigorous sustainability standard has been met. We are very excited to continue to support responsible sourcing at Tetra Pak and for the contribution that certified sustainable sugarcane can make to plant-based packaging
Bonsucro CEO Danielle Morley
About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is one of three companies in the Tetra Laval Group – a private group that started in Sweden. Since the start in 1951 Tetra Pak is engaged in providing the best possible processing and packaging solutions for food.
Story: Tetra Pak offer sugarcane packaging – Image credits: Tetra Pak
