SIG, LSDH introduce aluminium-free cartons in France

FRANCE – SIG has collaborated with French food and beverage manufacturer LSDH to introduce aluminium-free aseptic cartons into commercial filling operations in France, with the first products expected on shelf by the end of 2026.

The companies will utilise SIG’s Terra Alu-free and Full Barrier packaging at LSDH subsidiary JFA in Alsace. 

JFA undertakes aseptic filling, and LSDH said the carton can be introduced with only minor changes to existing filling operations. 

SIG’s solution aims to replace the foil traditionally used in aseptic beverage cartons with an ultra-thin polymer-based barrier capable of protecting oxygen-sensitive beverages such as fruit juices, plant-based drinks and creams. 

According to the company, the format has a shelf life of 12 months for suitable products and validated filling arrangements.

Life Cycle Assessment Shows 19 Percent Carbon Reduction

SIG and LSDH cite a France-specific life cycle assessment indicating a carbon footprint reduction of up to 19 percent relative to the standard aseptic carton used for comparison.

SIG separately cites reductions of up to 61 percent when the aluminium-free structure is combined with forest-based polymers under other specified comparisons. 

The partners noted that these figures involve different material combinations and assessment boundaries and should not be substituted for the 19 percent figure associated with the French introduction.

Qualification Requirements Govern Commercial Rollout

The carton’s practical compatibility with production schedules and product specifications is important as LSDH supplies filling services to beverage producers and retailers. 

A new carton option must be qualified for the customer’s formulation and intended distribution conditions. 

The companies stated that the announcement did not identify all the brands that would adopt the format or the initial number of units to be manufactured. 

SIG has marketed its full-barrier material as compatible with existing SIG filling equipment, though it cautions that general performance specifications should not be mistaken for confirmed operating measurements at JFA. 

The partners have not reported a completed production trial with independently measured waste, downtime or efficiency figures for the French launch.

Packaging Sector Pursues Aluminium Reduction

The launch reflects broader efforts to reduce aluminium content in aseptic cartons, which traditionally rely on thin foil layers to block oxygen and light. 

Aluminium production is energy-intensive, and removing the foil layer can lower embodied carbon while simplifying material separation in recycling processes. 

For beverage producers, aluminium-free cartons offer a route to reduce packaging emissions without changing filling infrastructure, provided barrier performance and shelf-life validation confirm suitability for their specific products. 

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