THAILAND – Tetra Pak advocates for sustainable packaging solutions in Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) sector in response to tightening regulations and growing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging.
The company recently held a webinar titled “Future-ready businesses with sustainability solutions from Tetra Pak,” highlighting how businesses can integrate new technologies and practices to align with evolving sustainability standards.
During the webinar, Praeporn Amornpanupan, Product Group Director of Packaging, and Patinya Silsuphadol, Director of Sustainability at Tetra Pak, stressed the urgency of F&B manufacturers adopting sustainability measures.
These include carbon reduction, recycling, and effective waste management to meet both local and international regulatory requirements.
The European Union has set a global benchmark with its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which outlines measures to reduce packaging waste, enhance packaging efficiency, promote reuse and recycling, and establish strict guidelines for packaging in the EU market.
The regulation takes a life cycle approach to waste management, pushing for a circular economy model.
Similarly, Thailand is progressing toward circular economy goals through its Second National Action Plan on Plastic Waste (2022–2027).
The government has drafted the Sustainable Packaging Act based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle.
This legislation aims to involve F&B manufacturers directly in managing packaging waste, focusing on reuse, recycling, and sustainable packaging solutions.
Consumer demand for greener packaging
Tetra Pak notes that 74% of Thai consumers are more concerned about sustainability than two years ago.
This shift in consumer preference drives the demand for greener packaging options in the F&B industry.
To help businesses meet these growing expectations, Tetra Pak offers a comprehensive four-step approach: minimizing resource waste, recovering energy and water, increasing operational efficiency, and making production processes environmentally neutral across the entire value chain.
Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions are made from responsibly sourced renewable materials. The packaging paper is FSC-certified and fully recyclable.
The company is also working to enhance the circular economy by introducing sustainable packaging caps, increasing the use of recycled and plant-based materials, and developing innovative packaging designs showcased at IFT First 2024.
Commitment to sustainability
Tetra Pak recently published its sustainability report for operations in the Middle East, detailing its progress toward a circular economy.
The report highlights innovations such as postbiotic food solutions for beverages, dairy, ice cream, and cheese, alongside a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain from a 2019 baseline.
Last November, Tetra Pak partnered with Portuguese brand Lactogal to launch the world’s first beverage carton with a renewable barrier layer made from paperboard.
This innovation uses up to 90% renewable materials and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 33%, reflecting Tetra Pak’s continued commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.
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