From: Packaging World

European retailer Carrefour packages its UHT milk in low-CO2 aseptic carton in Spain, as part of its commitment to put responsible, sustainable consumption within reach of consumers.

Carrefour, one of the biggest distribution chains in Europe, is offering three different types of UHT (ultra-high temperature processed) milk in SIG Combibloc’s combibloc EcoPlus 1,000-mL aseptic carton in Spain. The carton is made of the EcoPlus structure, which SIG Combibloc says generates less CO2 compared to a conventional 1-L carton of the same format.

Says SIG Combibloc, with the combibloc EcoPlus, the CO2 savings can measure up to 28% (depending on the opening solution) compared to the conventional 1-L carton of the same format from the company. This is due to the material composition: The main component of the combibloc EcoPlus is unprocessed cardboard (at more than 80%), made from renewable and entirely bio-based Forest Stewardship Council-certified raw-material wood that gives the carton stability. A razor-thin polyamide layer serves as a barrier to protect the product from flavor loss and external odors. Fine polyethylene layers are added to the structure internally and externally. The inner layer forms a liquid barrier for the product; the outer layer keeps moisture out.

The environmental benefit of the combibloc EcoPlus, based on the life cycle of the carton from the production of the raw materials right up to the final manufactured carton, has been verified in an independent, ISO-compliant life-cycle assessment.

Says Xavier Appy, Product Optimization Director at Carrefour, “Thinking sustainably and, even more importantly, acting sustainably is a fundamental part of our corporate principles. We’ve created a number of initiatives for this purpose of putting responsible, sustainable consumption within reach of customers. The most important aspects are: elimination of unnecessary packaging, reduction of raw materials, optimization of packaging sizes and logistics, and the increased use of recycled and recyclable materials. In this context, the designs of more than 350 products have been optimized last year alone. The launch of the CO2-reduced combibloc EcoPlus carton pack is a good example of this. We’re confident that in terms of the environment, our environmental performance, and also the consumer, we’ve made the right decision.”

Says Ana Ruiz del Arbol, Marketing Manager at SIG Combibloc Spain, “With the launch of UHT milk in combibloc EcoPlus, Carrefour is taking a stand for the environment, and is leading the way in the Spanish market as a company that acts sustainably and responsibly.”

Full cream, semi-skimmed, and low-fat milk will be sold under Carrefour’s private label. The products are filled by Leche Celta, one of Spain’s leading suppliers of high-quality dairy products. The company belongs to the Lactogal Group.