Joining forces with leading beverage producers, Tetra Pak is launching five new tethered cap solutions on carton packages across Ireland, the Baltics, Spain and Germany in different product categories.

Tethered caps play an important role in preventing litter and could also help reduce the carbon footprint of the carton when they are chosen by food manufacturers as plant-based options, made from polymers derived from responsibly sourced sugarcane, thereby increasing the renewable content of the package.

A majority of Tetra Pak’s tethered cap portfolio also features a reduced amount of plastic. Depending on the various solutions, the company achieved a plastic content reduction ranging between 7% and 15%.

Additionally, Tetra Pak has invested in improving manufacturing experience for customers. Its new high quality, automated production lines for tethered caps utilize Artificial Intelligence technology for increased efficiency.

In May, Borrisoleigh Bottling Ltd (BBL), based in Ireland, is set to start commercial production of the new plant-based C38 Pro tethered cap on Tetra Top 330 and Tetra Top 500 carton packages.

The new HeliCap 26 Pro closure, on a Tetra Prisma Aseptic 1000 Square package, is being tested since February in the Baltics with Cido Grupa, who is leading the juice segment in that region since many years and exporting its products to over 20 countries across the globe.

In Spain, LY Company Group, which is driving the growth of carton-packaged water in the country, will soon start commercial production of the new plant-based DreamCap 26 Pro closure on a Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330 Square package.

Also in Spain, Lactalis Puleva has chosen to test the new HeliCap 23 Pro closure. The cap, in its plant-based option, has been applied to Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Slim packages for the brand Lauki, on shelf since March.

Weihenstephan, one of the oldest and most popular German dairy brands, will soon test the production of the new LightWing 30 closure, on a Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Edge carton.

Marco Marchetti, Vice President Packaging Materials, Sales and Distribution Solutions, Tetra Pak, commented, “Starting with these five new introductions, we are planning to equip approximately 300 packaging lines with tethered caps in Europe by the end of 2022.”

"In total, we are investing around €400 million in the development and roll-out of tethered cap solutions, including a €100 million investment last year in our Châteaubriant plant in France to accelerate the production of tethered closures," he continued. "By working seamlessly across multiple project streams and covering approximately 40 different packages with tethered caps, we expect to sell over 1.5 billion such closures by year end."

Julia Luscher, Vice President Marketing, Tetra Pak, added, “We are delighted to be supplying a number of customers with tethered cap solutions, helping them to ‘walk the talk’ towards their sustainability ambitions. Understanding our customers’ needs and having collected consumer insights through multiple pieces of research across various markets, our new tethered caps have been designed to enhance convenience. For instance, they are easy to open and re-close for subsequent consumption, while featuring carefully sized diameters for smooth pouring and drinking.”