Kewpie adopts Oji’s paper sachets for JAL in-flight meals

JAPAN – Oji Holdings Corporation has announced that Kewpie Corporation has adopted its newly developed paper-based sachets for liquid foods, including salad dressings, for use on selected Japan Airlines (JAL) international flights.

Oji Holdings and Taisei Lamick Group Head Quarter & Innovation Corporation jointly developed the innovative sachets.

The collaboration combines Oji’s expertise in advanced paper manufacturing with Taisei Lamick’s strengths in lamination technology and liquid packaging machinery, resulting in a highly functional yet environmentally responsible solution.

Responding to rising global and domestic demand for eco-friendly packaging, Oji Holdings has positioned the project under its key sustainability themes of “Plastic and CO₂ Reduction.”

The sachets, though primarily composed of paper, offer excellent barrier properties against oxygen and water vapor, key requirements for preserving the freshness and stability of liquid foods such as dressings, sauces, and condiments.

According to Oji Holdings, the new packaging reduces plastic usage per sachet by approximately 44% and cuts CO₂ emissions by about 25% compared with conventional all-plastic sachets previously produced by Taisei Lamick.

These reductions align with Japan’s national drive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the aviation sector’s broader efforts to minimize single-use plastics in onboard catering.

The adoption by Kewpie, a leading food manufacturer renowned for its mayonnaise and dressings, marks a milestone in bringing sustainable packaging to real-world consumer applications.

For Japan Airlines, it reinforces its commitment to reducing plastic waste and improving the sustainability of its in-flight services.

Industry observers see the collaboration as part of a growing trend in Japan’s packaging sector, where major material producers and food companies are jointly innovating to meet circular economy goals.

Paper-based liquid packaging, once limited by technical challenges such as moisture resistance and product compatibility, has rapidly advanced through innovations in barrier coatings and hybrid laminates.

Oji Holdings stated it will continue developing high-performance paper-based materials and processing technologies to support brands seeking to transition away from fossil-based plastics.

“Our aim is to contribute to a sustainable society by providing packaging that balances functionality with environmental responsibility,” the company noted.

The Kewpie–JAL rollout could pave the way for broader commercial adoption of paper sachets in convenience foods, ready meals, and airline catering worldwide.

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