Tetra Pak investment programme

TetraPak tethered to a €100m pa. investment programme

Tetra Pak has announced that it is to invest €100 million annually over the next 5-10 years to develop sustainable packaging solutions, including the deployment of tethered caps and paper straws.

This major contribution to sustainability and the EU’s Single Use Plastic Directive, is one of many subjects covered recently in an exclusive SPN interview with Alex Henriksen, Tetra Pak’s Managing Director for North Europe, and conducted by Philip Yorke, SPN’s editor.

Since taking up your new role at Tetra Pak in September last year, what do you see as the principle developments in the current packaging landscape, especially in relation to the Circular Economy?

“From a European perspective, one of the most significant developments, and one of the most likely to make a positive impact, is the EU Directive on Single Use Plastics (SUP). This measure is vital for reducing the amount of single use plastic in circulation.

“Another crucial proposal has been the UK’s move to put in place a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). We have been advocating for an ‘all-in’ system that includes as wide a range of materials as possible. This sort of system would be a big step in the right direction to improving recycling rates across the UK and assisting the UK in reaching its net-zero goals.

“We are particularly keen to see carton packages included in this system. The key to increasing recycling rates for carton packages isn’t in the recyclability alone – cartons are already fully recyclable and the UK has a dedicated carton recycling facility in Halifax. It’s in the infrastructure to collect, sort and separate cartons from other recyclate.

“A DRS that covers as wide a range of materials as possible, including carton packages, would help to avoid consumer confusion about what can and cannot be recycled, making the scheme function better. This would increase the environmental benefits of the DRS and help boost recycling rates.”

As a flagship company, what would you say differentiates Tetra Pak from its competitors, and how do you see your role in relation to helping deliver net-zero by 2050?

“Sustainability is very high on the agenda at Tetra Pak. As well as providing safe and nutritious food for people around the world, we are also committed to protecting the planet. “Our mission is to create the world’s most sustainable food package. This needs to be made solely of responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials and be both fully recyclable and carbon neutral.

“We believe innovation will help us achieve this ambition. In 2019, we were the first carton packaging producer to launch on-pack paper straws in Europe. We are currently investing approximately €100 million per year over the next 5-10 years to develop more sustainable packaging solutions.

“However, recycling and de-carbonisation alone are not enough to realise our environmental goals. We need to do more to promote the use of responsibly sourced materials and employ more plant-based packaging.

“Our next big goal is to achieve net-zero across our entire value chain by 2050.

The use of innovative production equipment and putting new technologies in place is vital. Yet, to reach this goal we must work more closely with our customers and our partners, who are also committed to finding more sustainable packaging solutions. That’s why we are introducing customers to more sustainable manufacturing processes and practices. We pride ourselves on the fact that we are making significant progress towards net-zero by utilising our considerable R&D facilities to drive our sustainability and circular economy mission forward.”

How has the Covid 19 pandemic affected Tetra Pak’s production capabilities and manufacturing processes…. as well as its impact on your future ambitions?

“This unprecedented event has affected the whole world. The pandemic disrupted the status quo and produced new, unforeseen landscapes for packaging companies worldwide. It also, understandably, increased consumer concerns about food safety and supplies. According to the Tetra Pak Index, more than 50% of consumers believe that food safety is the number one issue companies need to tackle now and in the future.

“The big dilemma that we face today is ensuring that food is kept safe, while reducing the environmental impact of packaging. Tackling this challenge means we need to work more closely together with our partners across the value chain. This a vital because Covid-19 has changed the world as well as consumer habits and priorities. This shift in behaviour has resulted in the purchase of less “on-thego” products, whilst increasing the consumption of more everyday foods, with a strong emphasis on “in-the-home” consumed products. However, there are now clear signs that things are finally getting back to some sort of normality. We remain on top of our mission and committed to leading the industry when it comes to sustainability, the circular economy and net-zero emissions in 2050.”

At SPN it comes as no surprise that Tetra Pak has just been named as one of the Top 50 Sustainability and Climate leaders in the world. As a global leader in the food processing and packaging industry, its pioneering spirit and commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050, has set it apart from other companies in the industry. An ever-increasing focus for Tetra Pak is its desire to tackle climate change. As a result, it is becoming an ever-greater imperative for the company. Accelerating de-carbonisation and maintaining its ongoing collaboration with partners and customers, is also seen as critical in leading the drive for sustainability transformation in the food packaging industry.

By addressing the many complex and multi-faceted challenges prompted by global warming, Tetra Pak is championing sustainability, circularity and biodiversity worldwide – for the benefit of all mankind.