SIG’s aluminium-free carton wins Green Packaging award, SÜDPACK excels in circular economy

AUSTRIA – SIG, a pan-European sustainable solutions provider, has been awarded the prestigious Green Packaging Star Award for its Terra Alu-free packaging solution.

This accolade marks a significant step forward in sustainable packaging, with SIG claiming that Terra Alu-free is the world’s first aluminium-free material for aseptic carton packs.

The award, presented annually by Kompack magazine and the Austrian Research Institute of Chemistry, recognizes innovation in eco-friendly packaging design and environmental stewardship.

The win also qualifies SIG to compete in the WorldStar competition, hosted by the World Packaging Organization.

Gmundner Dairy is the first company in Austria to use SIG Terra Alu-free packaging. By adopting this cutting-edge solution, Gmundner Dairy has reduced the carbon footprint of its standard carton packs by up to 23%, as confirmed by ISO-compliant life-cycle assessments.

Since the launch of its Terra Alu-free packaging, the dairy has saved over 160 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Vanessa Bogner, SIG’s marketing manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, expressed pride in the achievement, saying, “Being recognized for the SIG Terra Alu-free material is a great accolade.

“Our Terra portfolio reflects our ongoing commitment to developing sustainable packaging, and by 2030, we aim to offer an aseptic, alu-layer-free solution with at least 90% paper content.”

Currently, SIG Terra Alu-free cartons are composed of up to 82% FSC-certified paperboard, combined with ultra-thin polymer layers to ensure product protection without refrigeration, eliminating the need for aluminium.

Christoph Engl, Managing Director of Gmundner Dairy, added, “As the first producer in Austria to introduce shelf-stable milk in an aseptic carton without an aluminium layer, we are thrilled by this award. It sets a new benchmark in sustainability, meeting consumer demand for lower-carbon packaging.”

SÜDPACK leads in the circular economy

In parallel, German packaging manufacturer SÜDPACK has been recognized for its leadership in the circular economy, earning the top rating in the Packaging Manufacturer category of the 2024 Germany’s Best in Circular Economy study.

Conducted by ServiceValue GmbH and the FAZ Institute, the study evaluated 5,500 companies across 38 industries for their efforts in reuse, recycling, and repair. SÜDPACK achieved a perfect score of 100.

SÜDPACK’s CEO, Erik Bouts, emphasized the company’s role in driving sustainability, “We are setting new standards with our recyclable and material-reduced products. But real transformation requires collaboration between industry, government, and society.”

The company has invested heavily in advanced recycling technologies and material-reduced packaging solutions.

One of its key initiatives is carboliq GmbH, which specializes in the chemical recycling of mixed and contaminated plastics. This process converts these plastics into valuable liquid resources, further supporting the circular economy.

“The circular economy is not a distant goal—it’s already a reality at SÜDPACK,” said Bouts.

By continuing to innovate and promote resource efficiency, SÜDPACK sets an inspiring example for the industry, proving that a sustainable future is achievable through collaboration and innovation.

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