If this is your company, CONTACT US to activate Packbase™ software to build your portal.

    Webpackaging logo

    SIG to offer a market-ready alternative to plastic straws

    Eating, Drinking, Beverages - Non-Alcoholic, Primary Packaging, Food, Drink Service Components, Straws, Active, Smart Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Recyclable Packaging, Tree Derivatives, Paper, Recycling

    SIG is the first in the industry to offer a market-ready alternative to plastic straws, announcing that a paper straw solution will be delivered to first customers in the first quarter of 2019.

    With growing concern about the environmental impact of plastic straws, the food and beverage industry urgently needs an alternative solution. SIG’s new paper straw offers such a solution.

    Markus Boehm, Chief Market Officer at SIG, said: “We saw an opportunity to address concerns about marine litter and offer added value to our customers by helping them meet consumer and regulatory demand to scrap plastic straws. This win-win is a great example of how our commitment to go Way Beyond Good for the environment is delivering real business benefits.”

    Nestlé is the first customer to introduce SIG’s paper straw solution and has already tested the market launch in the Dominican Republic.

    Michael Schwan, Manufacturing Manager RTD - Dairy Strategic Business Unit at Nestlé said: “We are committed to improving the environmental performance of our packaging and addressing the critical issue of single-use plastics is an important part of that. We need effective, scalable solutions and SIG’s new paper straw has the potential to meet that need.”

    Seeking a solution

    SIG does not make straws, but some of its portion-size packs are designed to be used with a straw for convenience on the go and the company has been working with suppliers to develop alternatives.

    Paper is renewable and recyclable. This forest-based material already makes up 70-80% of SIG’s cartons on average, and the look and feel of paper also visibly reinforces its environmental credentials to consumers.

    SIG worked closely with a manufacturing partner to develop an innovative and exclusive solution that makes the paper straw robust enough to pierce the closed straw hole of SIG’s aseptic cartons. The wrapper for the straw has also been redesigned to help prevent litter by remaining attached to the pack to be recycled along with the rest of the carton.

    The new paper straws will be made of paperboard from FSCTM (Forest Stewardship CouncilTM)-certified forests or other controlled sources. Customers can already include the FSC label on any SIG carton and they will be able to add the label to the paper straws once the manufacturing partner has completed FSC Chain-of-Custody certification, which is expected during the second half of 2019.

    The new paper straw solution supports SIG’s efforts to use more renewable materials. The initial volume of paper straws will be limited during the launch phase, as SIG ramps up capacity with its manufacturing partner. SIG is also continuing to invest in new ways to apply this alternative straw solution to a wider variety of packaging formats.

    SIG is determined to collaborate with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to find new approaches to reduce single-use plastics, foster recycling and minimise waste. Helping customers improve the sustainability of their products is an important part of the company’s commitment to go Way Beyond Good by putting more into the environment and society than it takes out.

    More on SIG’s Way Beyond Good: www.sig.biz/en/responsibility/way-beyond-good

    See also

    Flexibility and speed taken to next level with introduction of SIG Digital Printing for aseptic carton packs

    With a pioneering reputation for providing customers with maximum flexibility and speed, SIG is taking production to the next level with the seamless new opportunities of SIG Digital Printing for aseptic carton packs produced in Europe. This professional printing solution offers full-color digital printing on SIG carton packs without the need for cylinders or printing forms, enabling more flexibilization and agility to meet specific customer demands.

    Nestlé Vietnam opts for SIG’s “One Cap, One Code” solution to engage with Gen Z consumers

    Nestlé is the first company in Vietnam to opt for SIG’s innovative QR code closure solution “One Cap, One Code” for effective and unique one-to-one online marketing opportunities. The aim is to appeal in particular to Gen Z consumers and to strengthen their brand loyalty via a differentiated reward program. Since May, the closure caps of the popular Nestlé Milo Teen Protein drinks, in SIG's combismile carton packs, have included unique QR codes that can be easily scanned and serve as reward points that can be redeemed online.

    SIG set for growth with new state-of-the-art production plant in China

    As the Asia-Pacific region continues to be one of the major growth engines for aseptic carton packaging, SIG has announced investment in the region with the construction of a second production plant in Suzhou, China. To meet current and future customer demand, the new 120,000 square meter plant is expected to be operational in early 2021 and will be situated at the Suzhou Industrial Park, close to the company’s existing production facility and Tech Centre.

    • Company News
    • English
    • Modified 22 Feb 2019
    • Hits 784