SIG has introduced the first 1-liter aseptic carton packs made from SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material, now available in stores. This innovative solution represents the world’s first full barrier packaging material for aseptic cartons that eliminates the aluminum layer, further minimizing the carbon footprint associated with standard SIG cartons.

Building on the success of this packaging technology in single-serve aseptic cartons, SIG is now expanding the alu-free option to the juice category and a multi-serve format for the first time. ALDI will be the first retailer to offer grape juice under its Rio d’oro brand in this groundbreaking packaging solution in selected regions of Germany. This initiative reduces the carbon footprint of conventional multi-serve cartons by 29%1. The products are manufactured and filled by the Italian beverage and food producer Quargentan, utilizing its existing SIG Midi 12 Aseptic filling machine at full capacity.

|  Globally Scalable Packaging Solutions

SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging delivers the same protective qualities as traditional SIG aseptic carton materials, ensuring a shelf life of up to 12 months. Moreover, this packaging is globally available at scale and can seamlessly operate on existing SIG filling lines. These lines boast high-speed capabilities, reaching up to 24,000 packs per hour for small cartons and 15,000 packs per hour for multi-serve formats. With only minor adjustments needed, this plug-and-play solution enables brands and manufacturers to pivot quickly. Clients also benefit from the versatility of SIG filling lines, allowing for swift changes between aluminum-free and standard packaging materials whenever necessary.

“At SIG, one of our goals is to increase the paper content in our aseptic cartons to at least 90% – including the closure – by 2030, allowing for a further reduction in carbon emissions and creating a regenerative food packaging system. This packaging structure, made from more than 80% paper, reduces the number of raw materials from three to two,” stated José Matthijsse, President & General Manager Europe at SIG. “This breakthrough innovation simplifies the recycling process for aseptic cartons, requiring only the separation of paperboard and polymers.”

|  Pioneering Aluminium-free Solutions

The removal of the aluminum layer from aseptic cartons—historically utilized for oxygen-sensitive products such as juice and plant-based drinks—marks a significant milestone on the path to creating a regenerative food and drink packaging system. The SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging, constructed from over 80% paper, replaces the aluminum layer with an ultra-thin polymer coating that protects against oxygen, light, moisture, and aroma loss. This innovation not only reduces the number of raw materials from three to two but can also lower the carbon footprint of multi-serve aseptic SIG cartons by up to 61%2, particularly when paired with forest-based polymers3—all while maintaining full barrier functionality, shelf life, and filling line performance.