Q&A: Sustainable packaging for liquid dairy products

In recent decades, packaging technologies have continuously improved to combine optimum product protection with highly efficient processes. One factor that has gained importance within the last few years is the environmental impact of packaging.

Manufacturers are seeking new approaches to use environmentally friendly materials such as paper but sensitive products like dairy call for innovative technologies. Yoghurt, dessert and dip packaging need to be safe and hygienic — especially when using paper. The following is a Q&A on this topic with Ilona Junker, Project Manager Sustainable Solutions at Syntegon Technology.

Q: What sustainability trends can you identify in terms of packaging for liquid and viscous products? How will packaging change in the future?

Junker: In the future, manufacturers will rely on renewable raw materials more and more and will increasingly question conventional packaging concepts with regard to plastic content and recyclability. Existing packaging concepts will be reconsidered.

For example, plastic snap-on lids for yoghurt cups will gradually disappear from the refrigerated section and will be replaced by new solutions that considerably reduce the packaging’s overall plastic content. Reusable lids offer an alternative; they can save several thousand tons of plastic waste per dairy manufacturer every year. New packaging concepts are being developed as an alternative to snap-on lids for refrigerated drinks. Some initial approaches include peel-off lids with integrated drinking openings. This eliminates the need for plastic snap-on lids with drink openings — a worthwhile saving. Besides reducing the plastic content and improving recyclability, the environmental impact of packaging also extends to lower carbon emissions thanks to less packaging weight and less product waste. In the future, cup solutions for viscous products that are made of plastic–paper mixtures as well as mono-material solutions will replace composite materials.

The development of sustainable packaging alternatives includes various approaches to material reduction and recyclability. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; however, Syntegon is working to improve existing packaging solutions and create a full paper solution for dairy products and other liquid and viscous food products.

Q: Where does this transition to the development of sustainable packaging solutions come from?

Junker: In addition to our responsibility towards the environment and legal requirements, such as the upcoming plastics tax in Europe, changing consumer expectations are an important driver of change in the packaging industry. Media reports repeatedly associate plastic with the pollution of the world’s oceans. Congruently, consumers have very negative associations surrounding plastic packaging. Syntegon is working towards a circular economy, which is an approach that tries to close energy and material loops through the efficient use of resources, recycling and waste reduction. Companies bear a responsibility for our society — especially in the case of the packaging industry — the environment. Innovation drives new sustainable solutions. For some products, the issue of sustainability is easier to implement, while for others, such as liquid and viscous foods, a large number of technological developments are necessary.

What challenges arise by using sustainable materials in processing and packaging dairy products and other liquid and viscous foods?

Junker: In the past, plastic was the most commonly used packaging material. Quite simply because it had established itself in the market with regard to processing and manufacturing. What is more, the material is very robust and easy to handle. A major challenge in the transition to sustainable materials is to keep equipment efficiency high and to minimise the rejection of faulty packaging. Paper solutions tear or crease more quickly, which renders the pack useless. Product handling in the machine and during transport is therefore much more challenging than with plastic cups, otherwise machine malfunctions can occur. During storage and transportation, several aspects need to be considered. What is more, the machines have to be able to process conventional materials as well as the new sustainable materials. If it is only a partial transition to mono-materials or thinner composites, attention must be paid both to sufficient disinfection and other potentially damaging influences, such as temperature.

Do you see further development potential for sustainable packaging?

Junker: There is a huge potential for development. Our goal is to develop technical solutions that make it possible to fill liquid and viscous food products into sustainable packaging made of paper or mono-material. This includes new technologies for sterilisation, sealing and machine handling. Parameters such as new materials, technological progress, digitalisation, new regulations, but also regional conditions influence the further development potential for environmentally friendly packaging.

Although paper cups have a better ecological footprint, they are more sensitive. Moisture and heat can damage the material. New technological solutions are needed to facilitate gentle handling on filling machines. Syntegon works closely with customers to implement these technologies on existing and new machines.

Filling and packaging machines for liquid and viscous products are very complex; what contribution can Syntegon make to sustainability?

Junker: The experts in our sustainability team have gained extensive knowledge in many different areas and work closely together to promote the use of environmentally friendly technologies. At our Liquid Food Lab in Königsbrunn, as well as on our pilot machines, we test materials for their machine runability and hygiene properties. We also develop new technical solutions that enable the use of sustainable materials on new and existing filling lines. An important factor is our collaboration with packaging manufacturers and customers: together with customers, Syntegon evaluates which adjustments are necessary for the transition to sustainable solutions. These findings then help to adapt existing machines to new requirements. It is important to us to support our customers from their initial idea and its implementation to the optimal solution that matches their specific requirements. Product safety and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive. In order to ensure maximum product protection, we include our material specialists and experts in the field of packaging development in the process of identifying suitable technologies.