“Tetra Pak’s sustainability vision is about transforming food systems for a low-carbon, circular future – while ensuring that safe, nutritious food remains accessible for all.
Because food systems generate over one third of global GHG emissions, we are accelerating the decarbonisation of our value chain. By 2024, we reduced GHG emissions from our own operations by 54%, and across our value chain by 25%, compared with 2019 baseline. With 94% renewable electricity already powering our sites, we remain firmly on track to reach net-zero emissions in our own operations by 2030,” Ștefan Urziceanu – Sustainability Manager, Tetra Pak Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Moldova told Sustainability Today.
“Sustainability also guides our long-term investments, with around EUR 100 million invested annually in R&D to develop the “package of the future”, designed with lower material use and improved recyclability.”
How would you describe Tetra Pak’s sustainability vision and its alignment with global environmental goals?
Tetra Pak’s sustainability vision is built on our purpose of making food safe and available while protecting the planet. We focus on five interconnected areas – food systems, nature, climate, circularity and social sustainability – which align closely with global environmental priorities such as the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). This integrated approach ensures that our actions support both planetary boundaries and the resilience of future food systems.
As global discussions at Climate COP29 in Baku highlighted, transforming the “hidden middle” of the agri-food chain (processing, packaging, storage and distribution) is essential to achieving climate and food-security goals. This segment accounts for 18% of agrifood emissions, yet it is critical for reducing food loss and waste. Since 1951, our technologies have helped protect food safety and extend shelf life, contributing to lower food waste worldwide. In 2024 alone, we delivered 178 billion packages and processed millions of tonnes of food, supporting access to safe nutrition globally.
Because food systems generate over one third of global GHG emissions, we are accelerating the decarbonisation of our value chain. By 2024, we reduced GHG emissions from our own operations by 54%, and across our value chain by 25%, compared with 2019 baseline. With 94% renewable electricity already powering our sites, we remain firmly on track to reach net-zero emissions in our own operations by 2030.
Advancing a circular economy is equally essential. We design packaging to be fully recyclable, increase the share of renewable and recycled materials, and heavily invest in global collection and recycling systems. In 2024, we committed an additional EUR 42 million, contributing to the collection and recycling of over 1.3 million tonnes of used LPC (liquid packaging cartons) worldwide and collaborating with more than 215 recyclers.
In Romania, we took this commitment a step further with a European first: a pilot initiative using RVMs to collect LPCs from local market. Implemented in partnership to Mega Image, Maspex, Tomra and Brai Cata, the pilot project addresses a key gap in the national collection infrastructure, where LPCs are currently grouped under the general paper-cardboard material category, without dedicated reporting. By aiming to collect 1 million LPCs in eight months, in seven Mega Image stores, the pilot project will generate essential data about this packaging category to help shape future legislation, improve collection and recycling infrastructure, and support new consumer behaviours.
In essence, Tetra Pak’s sustainability vision is about transforming food systems for a low-carbon, circular future – while ensuring that safe, nutritious food remains accessible for all.
What are the core pillars of your sustainability strategy for the coming years?
The five core areas of our sustainability strategy, already mentioned – food systems, nature, climate, circularity and social sustainability – are fully embedded within our 2030 Strategy. In the coming years, these priorities will be driven by four strategic pillars:
- delivering the highest standards of food safety and quality,
- leading the transition to low-carbon and circular solutions,
- optimising customer operations through connected end-to-end systems, and
- innovating to support customer growth.
Sustainability also guides our long-term investments, with around EUR 100 million invested annually in R&D to develop the “package of the future”, designed with lower material use and improved recyclability.
Looking ahead, we will continue to progress our strategy across all focus areas:
- Climate: implementing our roadmap to reduce GHG emissions across all scopes by 50% by 2030 versus 2019.
- Nature: strengthening impact assessments and improving certification and traceability of key raw materials such as paperboard, aluminium and bio-based plastics.
- Circularity: increasing recycled content in materials supplied to us and maximising the recyclability of our products.
- Social sustainability: advancing human-rights due diligence across our operations and supply chain.
Taken together, these efforts drive the sustainable transformation of food systems while ensuring that safe, high-quality food remains accessible for all.
What actions is Tetra Pak taking to advance circular-economy principles across the packaging lifecycle?
As global material use continues to grow and resources become increasingly strained, advancing a circular economy has never been more critical. With the world population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 and material consumption set to more than double, circular solutions are essential to reducing pressure on finite resources. At Tetra Pak, we drive circularity across the entire packaging lifecycle by designing our cartons for recycling, increasing the use of renewable and recycled materials, and investing in technologies that keep materials in circulation. We continuously invest in R&D to simplify material structures, improve recyclability, and develop the package of the future – lighter, more renewable, and easier to recycle, without compromising food safety. We plan to maintain the level of investment (EUR 100 million annually) over the next five to ten years.
In 2014, we became industry pioneers by introducing the first package made entirely from plant-based, renewable materials – Tetra Rex.Our beverage cartons already use FSC™-certified paperboard, and we were the first in the sector to introduce certified recycled polymers in caps, now scaled across millions of packages in Europe.
In 2023, Tetra Pak achieved another world first with an aseptic carton (Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf) that replaces the aluminum protective layer with a paper-based alternative, increasing the share of renewable materials to 90% and reducing the carbon footprint by up to 33%.
We continue to develop paper-based barrier technologies to replace aluminum, a major step toward fully renewable, low-carbon cartons. At the same time, we design our processing equipment for energy, water, and material efficiency, extend its lifespan, and support customers with services that optimise performance and reduce waste.
Through these actions, we aim to help build a more circular packaging system where materials are responsibly sourced, kept in use for longer, and recycled at scale.
What are the main challenges in increasing collection and recycling rates for beverage cartons?
Effective recycling of beverage cartons is essential for a circular economy but faces several challenges, including limited collection infrastructure and dedicated recycling facilities, as well as the need for strong consumer habits. In many countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, LPCs are not yet integrated into deposit return or other collection systems -for example, in Romania, LPCs are grouped under general paper-cardboard material category, with no specific reporting on recycled volumes.
To address these challenges, Tetra Pak has launched pioneering initiatives, including Europe’s first large-scale LPC collection pilot in Romania, using RVMs. The project aims to close collection gaps, build consumer habits, and generate valuable insights for collection and recycling policies. It also provides a first-of-its-kind tool for transparent reporting of collection and recycling indicators, which, once validated, could be scaled. Romania’s existing experience with deposit-return schemes and public awareness of packaging collection provides a strong foundation for testing this approach, creating a model for legislative frameworks and replicable operational systems.
The pilot aims to assess both the technical feasibility and consumer acceptance of collecting LPC through seven RVMs placed in Mega Image stores in Brașov and Bucharest – key challenges associated with implementing this type of system. It evaluates how consumers interact with the machines, as well as the logistical processes, sorting needs, and recycling requirements necessary to integrate LPC into an RVM-based collection model. The project will generate essential data on participation rates, contamination levels, and recycling performance to support decisions on a potential national rollout.
Consumers can return all beverage and dairy cartons of up to 2L, regardless of brand, and receive a RON 0.5 voucher for each item. Cartons must be empty, clean, uncrushed, with a visible barcode and a tethered cap. Once collected, the packages are sorted, compacted, and transported to recycling facilities where they are processed into high-quality secondary raw materials. Every step is tracked to ensure full traceability.
Running for eight months across six stores in Brașov and one in Bucharest:
- Mega Image BRAN, Str. Branului nr. 36 BIS, Zărnești, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image CARPAȚILOR, Str. Carpaților nr. 60, Brașov, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image HĂRMAN, Str. Gării nr. 667, Hărman, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image CALEA BUCUREȘTI, Str. Berzei nr. 2A, Brașov, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image ZIZIN, Str. Zizinului nr. 65, Brașov, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image LUNII, Str. Lunii nr. 6, Brașov, jud. Brașov
- Mega Image PIAȚA SUDULUI (Concept Store), Șos. Olteniței nr. 208, Sector 4, București,
the pilot enables consumers to actively participate in local collection efforts and contributes to laying the groundwork for a more circular packaging system in Romania.
Another key challenge is the limited number of recycling facilities dedicated to LPC. In 2024, global collection for recycling of LPC reached 28%, with over 1.3 million tons collected and sent for recycling. Tetra Pak invested globally to support collection, sorting, and recycling of our packages and engaged with 215 recyclers worldwide to strengthen the recycling value chain.
Across Europe, we collaborate with customers, suppliers, policymakers, and recycling actors to co-invest in infrastructure, develop new technologies, and support packaging recovery organizations. While challenges remain in infrastructure, recycling capacity, and consumer engagement, partnerships and targeted investments are steadily increasing beverage carton collection and recycling rates across the region.
Can you share insights into your collaboration with recyclers and waste-management partners to boost material recovery?
Tetra Pak works closely with recyclers and waste-management partners across Europe and beyond to boost material recovery and strengthen the circular economy.
In Poland, we partnered with Stora Enso to open a state-of-the-art recycling line at Ostrołęka, tripling the country’s capacity to 75,000 tonnes per year and enabling recycling of all beverage cartons on the market in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries.
In the Netherlands, a new plant in Ittervoort, developed in collaboration with Yellow Dreams, will add 20,000 tonnes of recycling capacity, complementing the existing Recon Polymers facility.
We also foster innovative uses of recycled materials. In the Netherlands, together with Recon Polymers, we strengthened cooperation with AVK Plastics to reuse the PolyAl fraction from beverage cartons in transportation pallets.
In Italy, Keter launched a designer pot range made from up to 98% recycled PolyAl, now also available in Spain and Portugal, reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and limiting reliance on virgin resources.
Beyond Europe, in Turkey we partnered with Momentum Waste Management to launch a new packaging waste collection and sorting facility in Ankara. This facility aims to enhance LPC recycling rates and separate 5,000 tonnes of beverage cartons annually, contributing to a more circular system for the country.
Through these collaborations, Tetra Pak helps turn used beverage cartons into valuable materials, supporting recycling infrastructure, enabling innovative applications, and advancing a more circular economy globally.
What innovations in packaging materials or design is Tetra Pak prioritizing to reduce environmental impact?
Tetra Pak is constantly innovating to create more sustainable packaging. We focus on using more paper, simplifying materials, and moving toward fibre-based solutions, while also exploring new barrier technologies, such as paper-based alternatives to aluminium, to maintain food safety and shelf life.
In 2015, we introduced the industry’s first fully recyclable packaging made entirely from plant-based materials, showing our commitment to a circular economy. Today, our goal is to create the world’s most sustainable food package: fully recyclable, made from responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials, and carbon neutral.
We have deployed packaging with certified recycled plastic content and successfully transitioned to tethered caps in EU markets to prevent litter and comply with the EU Single Use Plastic Directive.
A key innovation is our paper-based barrier technology. In collaboration with Spanish beverage producer García Carrión, we recently launched the Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 ml Slim Leaf carton for juice under the Don Simón brand – the first portion pack in the world to use a paper-based barrier. Made with up to 80% paper and plant-based polymers, it achieves 92% renewable content and reduces carbon footprint by 43% compared with conventional aluminium-based packages, as verified by the Carbon Trust.
Through innovations like this, Tetra Pak continues to lead the shift to a circular economy for food packaging, helping customers improve sustainability while meeting environmental and regulatory goals.
What are the main misconceptions about beverage-carton sustainability, and how do you address them?
One of the main misconceptions is that beverage cartons are “difficult to recycle” or “not recyclable at all.” In reality, cartons are highly recyclable, and the fibres they contain are of very high quality, making them valuable for the paper industry. The challenge is not the material itself, but rather the availability of dedicated collection and sorting systems, which is why we are investing heavily in expanding recycling capacity and collaborating with partners across the value chain.
Another misconception is that the aluminium layer used in aseptic cartons makes them less sustainable. In fact, the aluminium layer is extremely thin – just a fraction of a millimetre – and we are already developing paper-based barrier technologies that will increasingly replace aluminium, further improving environmental performance.
Some believe cartons contain “too much plastic,” but on average, over 70% of a LPC is paper, a renewable, responsibly sourced material. As we increase the paper share and reduce material complexity, cartons packaging become even more sustainable and easier to recycle.
Finally, there is a perception that all packaging formats have the same carbon footprint. In reality, beverage cartons typically have a lower climate impact compared with many alternatives, due to their high renewable content, light weight, and efficiency in transport and storage.
We address these misconceptions through transparent communication, investments in collection and recycling infrastructure, and continuous innovation, ensuring that consumers, policymakers, and industry partners understand both the environmental benefits of LPCs and our commitment to constant improvement.
How is Tetra Pak navigating the increased pressure from both regulators and consumers for more eco-friendly packaging?
Tetra Pak is meeting rising regulatory and consumer expectations by redesigning packaging for full recyclability, integrating renewable and recycled materials, and phasing out unnecessary plastics in line with new EU requirements. For our industry, this means designing packaging to meet strict ‘Design for Recycling’ criteria by 2030, achieving ‘Recycled at Scale’ compliance by 2035, integrating certified recycled polymers, and reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
These regulations accelerate innovation and strengthen partnerships across the value chain, helping us and our customers respond to growing demand for low-carbon, circular solutions. Beyond compliance, we see collecting and recycling LPCs as a moral responsibility, ensuring packaging is recovered and reused. By working together – from packaging producers to beverage and dairy companies, retailers, and consumers – we aim to optimize both environmental and financial outcomes, creating long-term value for customers, society, and the planet. Our ambition is clear: to lead the transition to a circular economy and deliver one of the world’s most sustainable food package.
Where do you see the packaging industry heading in terms of sustainability innovation over the next decade?
Over the next decade, the packaging industry will accelerate its shift toward renewable, recycled, and fully recyclable materials. At Tetra Pak, we see the future in fibre-based solutions with simplified material structures, maximised paper content, and minimal plastic – supported by breakthrough technologies such as paper-based barriers to replace aluminium in aseptic cartons.
Packaging will also become digitally connected, with every carton carrying a unique digital identity to enable full traceability, smarter supply chains, enhanced consumer interaction, and improved recycling. Across the value chain, the focus will be on reducing CO₂ emissions – from sourcing to production, transport, and end-of-life. Ultimately, packaging will be a key enabler of circularity and value creation,delivering sustainability without compromising food safety, quality, or nutrition.
If you had to identify one transformational change needed to accelerate circularity in the sector, what would it be?
If there is one transformational change needed to accelerate circularity in our sector, it is building fully efficient, high-performing collection and recycling systems at scale. Circularity cannot be achieved if packaging is not collected, sorted, and recycled in practice. Even the most sustainable packaging innovations depend on robust infrastructure, clear policy frameworks, and strong collaboration across the value chain.
When producers, recyclers, governments and consumers work within a harmonised system – supported by deposit return systems, EPR, and secondary-raw-material markets – we can unlock the full value of packaging materials, reduce environmental impact, and drive investment in next-generation recycling technologies.
In essence, the biggest breakthrough will come not from a single material innovation, but from creating a system where every package is collected, every material is recovered, and circularity becomes the default, not the exception.
