Hochwald has introduced ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk in SIG’s Terra Alu-free cartons, a move that aligns with the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
This initiative is set to significantly lower the carbon footprint of the company’s products.
SIG said it has pioneered the development of aseptic carton packs without aluminium layers, and that its customers have filled over 3.6 billion litres of food products using this solution.
The environmental benefits are prominently displayed on the carton packs to inform and educate consumers.
Hochwald head of procurement Volker Kölsch said: “We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% within ten years, as we continuously strive to protect the environment.
“Our partnership with SIG is a building block in achieving this goal – by using SIG Terra Alu-free packaging material for our UHT milk products in SIG MidiBloc and SIG SlimlineBloc carton packs, the renewable share of the packaging is increased, and CO₂e [carbon dioxide equivalent] emissions are significantly reduced, as no aluminium layer is used.”
The SIG Terra Alu-free packaging is composed of up to 82% renewable paperboard certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), with thin layers of polymer ensuring long-term product protection without refrigeration.
Both SIG and Hochwald are members of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with SBTi-approved sustainability targets. SIG aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain by 2050.
SIG Europe president and general manager José Matthijsse said: “Across our packaging portfolio we have now sold enough packs with SIG Terra solutions to fill around six billion litres of food.
“In 2024 alone, approximately 1.7 billion litres of food was packed in aseptic cartons with SIG Terra packaging material. Sales of SIG Terra packaging materials increased by 15.1%, with further expansion in Europe where SIG Terra solutions accounted for 9.3% of food packed in SIG aseptic cartons.”
“We have ambitious future plans for SIG Terra Alu-free options, which include developing a full barrier aseptic carton with at least 90% paper content, including closure, by 2030.”
