Nicola Wagstyl SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER MEA, SIG COMBIBLOC
SIG launched the world’s first aluminium-free full barrier Signature EVO packaging materials for aseptic carton packs – Signature EVO at PRIME Awards 2022. This represents the evolution of aseptic cartons with no aluminium layer. The highlight of the presentation was how the new structure can be a solution to climate change, plastic pollution and the aluminium dilemma.
Any layer in the form of aluminium in any laminate or any substrate is very challenging to recycle. So, SIG has done something remarkable to create a substrate without an aluminium liner but keeping the same barrier properties. SIG is the leading solutions and systems provider for antiseptic packaging. We are present in 100 countries, have around 8,500 employees and sold 50 billion packs last year. We are a leader in sustainability, so it is nothing new for us. We started in 2010 with our first alu-free pack called Ecoplast, which is applicable only to white milk.
This was followed in 2017 by our Signature 100 which is also aloe-free, applicable for white milk and with forest-based polymers with a mass-balanced approach. In 2019 we launched our Signature Circular, where the polymers in the pack are from recycled plastics. And our newest innovation is our Signature Evo, the world’s first aseptic pack with no aluminium layer, applicable to a wide range of products. As with all our packs, Signature Evo is fully recyclable and has a low carbon footprint. Our paper board is FSC-certified.
By removing the aluminium layer, which is approximately 4% of a pack, we reach a carbon footprint reduction of 27%. This is definitely a competitive advantage for our customers who address the consumer needs. Signature Evo is applicable for a wide range of products, not just liquid dairy. We can also fill flavoured milk, fruit juices, nectars, plant-based products, and noncarbonated soft drinks with no impact on product performance.
We have replaced the aluminium layer with a mix of PE and PP to make sure we still have a full barrier that blocks light, water vapour, oxygen and aroma. And so, the benefits for our customers are: we will boost the brand image; it fits perfectly into their sustainability strategy; it’s deployable in all core categories. SIG is a strong partner supporting them on their sustainability journeys. And for their production, they don’t need to adjust and they don’t need to invest in new filling machines. They can use their current filling machines with an add-on kit and can run alu-free and alu-structures. And we have created our own recipes in our tech centre in Dubai.
This is a plant-based product from oat milk with different flavours. We have an almond espresso in the alu-free pack. This indeed is a great innovation from SIG by creating aluminiumfree packaging, maintaining the same budget and properties. Definitely, the challenge was to replace the aluminium layer with a new layer to make sure the product is safe for light wapper and aroma. It took us around five years to come up with this innovation as we worked closely with our customers to find the solution without aluminium. Currently, we are the only one in the market who is offering this sustainable innovation.