PRW
Published: October 16, 2014 9:33 am ET
Updated: October 16, 2014 9:37 am ET

Image By: Tetra Pak International SA
Tetra Pak's Tetra Rex carton uses plant-based LDPE film and a plant-based HDPE cap.

Packaging giant Tetra Pak International SA is rolling out what it said will be the industry’s first carton made entirely from plant-based, renewable packaging materials.

The Switzerland-headquartered firm said its new Tetra Rex carton, which will be commercially available next year, would be the first on the market to feature bio-based low density polyethylene films and bio-based high density PE caps, both being derived from sugar cane.

These would be in addition to Forest Stewardship Council-certified paperboard.

Charles Brand, Tetra Pak’s vice president, marketing and product management, said that together with its suppliers, customers and other stakeholders the group was leading the industry towards 100 percent sustainable packaging.

“We believe that increasing the renewable content of our packages is not only good for the environment but also offers our customers a competitive advantage in the overall environmental profile of their products,” he added.

The Tetra Rex carton was developed in partnership with Braskem SA, a leading biopolymer producer.