Aseptic packaging is growing by leaps and bounds – and it’s no wonder. Aseptic packaging is made to be convenient – it is portable and lightweight, which is a big consumer draw. Designed to protect foods from harmful bacteria that can grow without refrigeration, there is no need for preservatives – another plus for the health-conscious shopper.

A recent Research and Markets (researchandmarkets.com) report shows that aseptic packaging will see major growth due to a preference for convenient packaging. By 2022, the category will see growth from $39.62 billion (2017) to $66.45 billion – at a CAGR of 10.89% through 2022.

It is no surprise that cartons have the largest market share, while the beverage segment is the dominant application of aseptic packaging. This can be attributed to the variety of carton shapes and sizes, strong shelf presence and barrier protection. The beverage sector is projected to grow at a higher rate due to milk and dairy product packaging, which extends shelf life and offers product protection.

Our recent reader poll asked: Which industry will see the most growth in the use of aseptic packages? A whopping 64% of respondents believe milk and milk alternatives will grow the most. Next up was soups and broths at 18%, and prepared meals at 12%.

Smaller is better

Known for its dairy, dairy alternative and other liquid food aseptic packs, Tetra Pak (tetrapak.com) is expanding in the growing on-the-go beverage market with two new portion size packages: the Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 200  and Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 250 Edge with DreamCap™ 26. The new cartons offer consumers smaller size options with the same resealable one-step closure – perfect for the gym, outdoor activities and traveling.

Snacking while on the go has become a favored way to get some fuel for the body. Yet for some consumers, a portion size of 330ml or more may be too much. This means market potential for portion packages under 250ml. Global demand for these sizes is anticipated to grow to 72 billion liters by 2019, up 10% from current volumes, according to Tetra Pak studies.

“Our customers need packaging solutions that can help them capture opportunities and maximize growth. Bringing two new packages to join the highly successful Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330ml DreamCap is our latest answer to help them exploit the huge potential of the on-the-go market …” says Charles Brand, executive vice president, product management and commercial operations at Tetra Pak.

The on-the-go trend and smaller, single-serve packaging sizes continue to show strong growth globally. To stay on trend, Ecolean® (ecolean.com), a Swedish packaging supplier for liquid food producers, recently released the new Air Aseptic Mini-me 125ml pouch – another for added convenience in a to-go size pouch.

The Air Aseptic single-serve pack is filled in the Ecolean EL4 and EL4+ filling machines, enabling an easy switch between the sizes of 125, 200, 250 and 350ml. This has worked for Fauji Foods, the first to launch the new mini for its Dostea tea creamer line. Fauji Foods’ liquid dairy portfolio was introduced in a variety of Ecolean® package sizes to the Pakistan market last year.

The little one packs a punch – with or without a straw. Ease of use when opening, handling and pouring, together with its unique ability to be microwaved, are just some advantages of the Air Aseptic line. Add to that the recognizable pitcher shape and lightweight features and we have a winner in aseptic packaging.

Going to the plants

SIG (sig.biz) has developed the world’s first aseptic carton pack with a link to 100% plant-based renewable materials. Two main factors which consumers are demanding are environmentally-friendly products and packaging that is sustainable.

The SIGNATURE PACK replaces conventional plastics from fossil fuels with certified and sustainable plant-based polymer materials. The polymers used for laminating the paperboard and for making the spout, originate from renewable European wood sources and are certified according to ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) or CMS 71 (TÜV SÜD certification standard) via a mass balance system. What does this mean? For the polymers used in this new carton, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers.

Carton packs from SIG are already made from up to 82% wood, a renewable resource. The SIGNATURE PACK is the next step toward replacing fossil fuel-based materials by renewable plant-based ones, says Marcus Boehm, chief market officer at SIG Combibloc.

Italy-based IPI (ipi-srl.com), a Coesia company, has launched the SuperSlim aseptic carton. Available with a straw hole or twist cap and in 200ml up to 1000ml sizes. The beverage carton uses the properties of cellulose that give strength and stability to the package. This fiber is a natural renewable resource from forests managed to high environmental standards and forestry policies.

SuperSlim shape is a slender package that includes IPI’s patented King Twist cap on the 750ml – the largest opening ever on the aseptic carton market – making the product even more attractive.  The ultra-thin aluminum and polyethylene layers protect the filled product from light, humidity and oxygen in order to guarantee safe distribution of the product to the consumer. The entire production cycle of the aseptic beverage carton uses less energy and has a smaller CO2 footprint than alternative packaging systems.

Greenway Farms, a South African leading carrot farmer, is the first to choose the SuperSlim package in 330ml and 750ml sizes for its premium Rugani brand 100% carrot juice.

Processors and manufacturers must find their edge on the competition in aseptic packaging. It isn’t enough to create a structure and having it sell on the shelf. You must keep your edge while also focusing on new and better technology – all for the end user, the consumer.