SRF's board has approved a USD 63.2m (INR 600 crore) aluminium foil plant at its Jetapur site in Madhya Pradesh, with about 12,000 tonnes a year of capacity for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery foil and high-end packaging foil. Subsidiary SRF Altech will build it in two phases of USD 31.6m (INR 300 crore) each, due by 30 September 2028 and 30 September 2030, and the mill can supply aseptic and other high-value packaging grades while battery-grade qualification, expected to take close to two years, proceeds. On its 21 October 2026 Q2 FY27 earnings call, management guided chemicals growth to the top of its 15-20% range.
Why this mattersThe dual-use mill lets SRF sell into established high-value packaging foil grades while battery-grade qualification, a multi-year process, runs in parallel.
- The board approved USD 63.2m (INR 600 crore) for an aluminium foil plant at Jetapur, Madhya Pradesh, with about 12,000 tonnes a year of capacity.
- Wholly owned subsidiary SRF Altech will build the plant in two phases of USD 31.6m (INR 300 crore) each.
- Phase 1 is due by 30 September 2028 and Phase 2 by 30 September 2030.
- The mill can make both battery-grade and high-end packaging foil, so output can go to aseptic and other high-value grades while battery qualification continues.
- Management expects battery foil qualification to take close to two years.
- SRF cited India's ACCPLI battery manufacturing incentive scheme as a demand driver.
- Q2 FY27 revenue reached INR 4,904.20 crore (USD 515.6m), up 34.7% year on year
- Q2 FY27 net profit reached INR 509.12 crore (USD 53.5m), up 31.2% year on year
Tetra Pak has launched Cartons for Communities in Vietnam, a programme linking government agencies, food and beverage companies, collectors, recyclers and consumers to widen collection and recycling of used beverage cartons as the country steps up extended producer responsibility. Tetra Pak has set up collection and exchange points with TH true Milk in more than 40 TH true Mart stores and is running a model with Vinamilk backed by the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund.
Why this mattersTetra Pak is tying carton collection in Vietnam to its dairy customers TH true Milk and Vinamilk as extended producer responsibility raises pressure to show recovery.
- Tetra Pak has launched the Cartons for Communities programme in Vietnam to expand beverage carton collection and recycling.
- Collection and exchange points with TH true Milk operate in more than 40 TH true Mart stores.
- Tetra Pak and Vinamilk are implementing a collection model backed by the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund.
- A bilingual programme website is the hub for consumers, collectors and recyclers.
- Vietnam generates about 25.3 million tonnes of household waste a year, per the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Oji Holdings has broken ground on a new aseptic liquid-packaging plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam, under its Oji Liquid Pak brand, with total investment of USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion). The 57,000 sqm plant at Long Thanh High-Tech Park is expected to start operations in 2028 with capacity of 8 billion cartons a year and more than 200 new jobs, adding to Oji's existing Vietnamese network of three Ojitex plants and a United Packaging facility.
Why this mattersEight billion cartons a year of new aseptic capacity from 2028 shifts regional liquid-packaging supply closer to Southeast Asian fillers.
- Total investment is USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion)
- Plant site covers approximately 57,000 sqm at Long Thanh High-Tech Park, Dong Nai city
- Groundbreaking took place on 10 October 2026
- Planned annual capacity is 8 billion cartons
- Operations expected to start in 2028
- More than 200 new jobs to be created
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025.
- The plant works alongside IPI, an Italian aseptic carton and equipment maker that joined Oji Holdings in 2023.
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025 as part of Oji Group
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Italian unit IPI, acquired by Oji Holdings in 2023
- Oji Group already operates Ojitex Vietnam, Oji Interpack and United Packaging in Vietnam
- Oji Liquid Pak is a joint venture between Oji Holdings and Italian aseptic packaging technology group IPI
- First client deliveries are expected in the first half of 2028
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Oji group company IPI of Italy.
Tetra Pak announced the Tetra Pak Ice Cream Wrap in Lausanne on 6 October 2026, a paper-based wrapper in which paper makes up as much as 85% of the material, extending its fibre packaging into a category long dominated by plastic and composite films. Swedish producer Triumf Glass and other European ice cream makers are trialling it on production lines ahead of a phased European launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Why this mattersA paper wrap meeting cold-chain barrier needs would open ice cream wrapping, long reliant on plastic films, to fibre substitution.
- Tetra Pak announced the Ice Cream Wrap in Lausanne, Switzerland on 6 October 2026
- Up to 85% of the paper used is FSC-certified or from other controlled sources
- Phased commercial launch starts in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2026, expanding to further markets after
- Swedish ice cream producer Triumf Glass is among companies trialling the packaging on production lines
- Tetra Pak cites survey findings that 24% of consumers view sustainability as important for ice cream packaging and 16% prefer paper for the category
Tetra Pak has launched an Ice Cream Wrap made from up to 85% FSC-certified or controlled-source paper, aimed at a format long dominated by plastic and foil. A phased European rollout is planned from the fourth quarter of 2026, with the product currently in validation trials with producers including Sweden's Triumf Glass ahead of wider commercialisation and expansion into other markets.
Why this mattersA paper-based wrap for ice cream, if adopted at scale, extends fibre substitution into a cold-chain category long reliant on plastic and foil films.
- Tetra Pak's Ice Cream Wrap uses up to 85% paper from FSC-certified or controlled sources
- Phased European rollout scheduled for Q4 2026, with expansion into other markets to follow
- Product is in validation trials with European producers including Sweden's Triumf Glass
- A cited survey finds 24% of consumers globally rate packaging sustainability important for ice cream, 16% prefer paper packaging
- The wrap's paper-based barrier is combined with additional protective layers to maintain cold-chain performance.
- Validation trials are assessing production-line performance and consumer feedback ahead of wider commercialisation.
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment began a voluntary separate-discharge scheme for paper packs such as milk cartons from October 2026 across 144,000 apartment complexes subject to mandatory waste management, ahead of a compulsory separation rule planned for next year. A cooperation agreement signed 21 September 2026 commits dairy producers, recyclers including Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, and pack manufacturers to share recovery, sorting and recycling costs and improve pack recyclability. South Korea's paper pack recovery rate had fallen to 13% in 2023 from 19.9% in 2019.
Why this mattersA cost-sharing recycling scheme could improve feedstock quality for paper-pack recyclers and may foreshadow wider producer-responsibility rules in Korean packaging.
- Voluntary separate discharge of paper packs began October 2026 across 144,000 mandatory-management apartment complexes in South Korea.
- Mandatory separation of paper packs is planned for apartments from next year.
- Cooperation agreement signed 21 September 2026 between the environment ministry, dairy producers Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy, recyclers Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, pack manufacturers and the Korea Packaging Recycling Business Mutual Aid Association.
- Signatories share recovery, sorting and recycling costs, while manufacturers are to develop more easily recyclable pack designs.
- South Korea's paper pack recovery and recycling rate fell from 19.9% in 2019 to 13% in 2023.
- A guideline change removes the prior exception allowing disposal in paper bins where no dedicated collection box exists.
- Mandatory separate collection of paper cartons at the regulated apartment complexes takes effect 1 January 2027.
- The 21 September 2026 agreement was signed at Hansol Paper's Daejeon plant.
- Carton makers SIG Combibloc Korea and Tetra Pak committed to redesigning packs for recyclability and upgrading optical-sorting facilities.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has decided to cancel the listing of Greatview Aseptic Packaging, in a decision issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed by parent Xinjufeng on 8 October, after the shares passed the exchange's 18-month suspension limit on 18 August 2026. Trading has been halted since 19 February 2025, following a dispute over an overseas business restructuring that left auditors without complete financial records and a breach of the minimum public float once Xinjufeng reached 97.76%. Absent a review request within seven business days, the last trading day is 16 October 2026 and the listing ends on 20 October 2026.
Why this mattersDelisting removes the Hong Kong equity platform of a leading aseptic carton supplier, closing a cross-border funding and disclosure channel for its Chinese owner Xinjufeng.
- HKEX's listing committee decided to cancel Greatview's listing; the decision was issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed by Xinjufeng on 8 October 2026
- Shares have been suspended since 19 February 2025 and the 18-month suspension limit expired on 18 August 2026
- Last trading day is 16 October 2026 absent a review request; the listing is cancelled from 9am on 20 October 2026
- Xinjufeng holds 97.76% after buying 28.22% in 2023 and completing in March 2025 a general offer at USD 0.34 (HKD 2.65) per share, at a combined cost of USD 501m (CNY 3.355bn)
- The suspension followed an overseas restructuring that left incoming management without complete financial records, limiting the audit scope, alongside the public float breach
- Greatview's revenue fell from USD 588m (CNY 3.937bn) in 2022 to USD 277m (CNY 1.857bn) in 2025
- New Huijin plans to fully integrate Greatview as a wholly owned subsidiary once delisting proceeds, combining equipment and packaging-material operations for global rollout.
- The combined New Huijin-Greatview group's share of China's aseptic packaging market has risen above 20%, second only to Tetra Pak, with annual capacity above 50 billion packs.
- Domestic suppliers' share of leading Chinese dairy companies' aseptic packaging procurement rose from under 30% in 2024 to near 42% in H1 2026.
- Greatview filed a review application with HKEX's Listing Review Committee on 13 October 2026
- The board said the outcome of the review remains uncertain and the suspension continues until further notice
- Greatview engaged BT Corporate Governance Limited for a further follow-up internal control review, with a report dated 11 September 2026
- Management accepted all deficiencies and improvement recommendations identified in the review
- Greatview filed a review application with HKEX's Listing Committee on 13 October 2026 contesting the cancellation of its listing.
- A 2024 restructuring by Greatview's then management cut its direct stake in international unit Greatview International from 100% to 49%, ceding control to an outside fund.
- An independent investigation found former executives diverted a RMB 100m shareholder loan at 1% interest, moved about 70 staff and core IT systems, and imposed five-year non-compete clauses on roughly 1,600 customers now tied to renamed entity Wintipak AG.
- New Lead Holdings' auditor issued a qualified opinion on its 2025 accounts after being unable to obtain Greatview International's financial records.
China's national standardisation platform published GB/T 19741-2026, the revised standard for plastic composite films and pouches used in liquid food packaging, on 28 September 2026, taking effect 1 April 2027. SIG's Suzhou unit and Tetra Pak's Kunshan unit were among the drafting companies, alongside local converters, testing institutes and a university.
Why this mattersThe revised recommended national standard for liquid-food films and pouches, drafted with SIG and Tetra Pak, becomes the technical reference for suppliers to China's liquid-food fillers from April 2027.
- GB/T 19741-2026 published 28 September 2026 by China's national standard information platform
- Standard takes effect from 1 April 2027
- Overseen by committee TC397 and its SC6 subcommittee under the China National Light Industry Council
- Drafting units include SIG's Suzhou unit and Tetra Pak's Kunshan unit
- Other drafters include Beijing Technology and Business University and several local Chinese converters and testing institutes
Tetra Pak has commissioned its USD 1.2m (ZAR 19m) PolyAl processing plant in Germiston, Gauteng, which separates polyethylene and aluminium from used beverage cartons after paper fibre is recovered by Mpact. Manufacturing partner Timber Plastics converts the recovered material into outdoor furniture, roof tiles and pipes, supporting Tetra Pak's target of lifting South Africa's carton recycling rate to 40% by 2030 from 33% currently.
Why this mattersThe plant gives South Africa a domestic processing route for a carton residual stream that previously had none, backing collection targets set by industry scheme Petco.
- The PolyAl plant in Germiston, Gauteng cost USD 1.2m (ZAR 19m) and has now been commissioned.
- The plant separates polyethylene and aluminium layers from used beverage cartons after paper fibre recovery.
- Manufacturing partner Timber Plastics converts recovered PolyAl pellets into outdoor furniture, roof tiles and pipes.
- Mpact recovers the paper fibre from the cartons at its own mill before the PolyAl is processed.
- South Africa's carton recycling rate has risen from 8% in 2023 to 33% currently, with Tetra Pak targeting 40% by 2030.
- The CSIR has supported development of end-use applications including roof tiles and pipes positioned as alternatives to cement and HDPE products.
Tetra Pak supported Brazilian egg producer Mantiqueira Brasil in developing N.OVO, described as Brazil's first shelf-stable protein drink made from egg white, launched after two and a half years of development. The product uses Tetra Pak's aseptic UHT processing and is packed in Tetra Prisma Aseptic Edge cartons, allowing ambient distribution without a cold chain.
Why this mattersThe launch extends carton packaging into a new ambient protein-drink category built on egg white, a shelf-stability niche previously served mainly by dairy and plant-based formats.
- N.OVO is marketed as Brazil's first ambient egg-white protein drink, requiring no refrigerated distribution.
- Development took two and a half years, using Tetra Pak's Customer Innovation Centre and Product Development Centre.
- The High Protein line is sold in 250 ml cartons with 17 grams of protein per unit, in four flavours.
- Packaging used is Tetra Prisma Aseptic Edge, an octagonal-prism carton format.
- The drink uses hydrolysed egg white, has no fat or dairy, and contains five times less carbohydrate and half the calories of conventional protein shakes.
Tetra Pak has extended its Recicla Cidade programme to the city of Sao Paulo, where only 2% of potentially recyclable material is currently recycled despite universal waste-collection coverage. The project will set up 15 permanent drop-off points and nine exchange points to boost separation of recyclables, including used beverage cartons, at source.
Why this mattersCarton recycling depends on household separation rather than collection coverage, so Tetra Pak is investing directly in sorting infrastructure to secure feedstock for its recycling chain.
- Sao Paulo recycles only 2% of potentially recyclable material despite 78% road coverage for waste collection in 2025
- Tetra Pak's Recicla Cidade programme will add 15 ecopontos (permanent drop-off points) and nine ecotroca (exchange) points in Sao Paulo city
- If Sao Paulo reaches the average recycling rate of other cities in the programme, Tetra Pak estimates recovery of an additional 4,000 tonnes per year of long-life cartons
- Long-life cartons are composed of 75% paper, 20% plastic and 5% aluminium
- Sorted paper is used to make products such as egg boxes and recycled fibre; the plastic-aluminium mix is used to make sheets and roofing tiles
- Recycling infrastructure is concentrated in southern and southeastern Brazil, requiring some materials to be transported to Sao Paulo for processing
South Korea's Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment will require large apartment complexes to sort paper cartons such as milk packs separately from regular waste starting 1 January 2027. A voluntary pilot covering roughly 144,000 complexes of 300 or more households begins next month, backed by a memorandum of understanding signed on 21 September 2026 with carton producers Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc Korea, Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, dairy groups Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy, and industry recycling bodies. Signatories will share collection and sorting costs, fund optical sorting equipment and commit to design changes to improve recyclability.
Why this mattersA binding sorting mandate and cost-sharing scheme could raise recycling rates and recycled pulp supply, pressuring carton makers to redesign for recyclability ahead of similar EPR moves elsewhere.
- South Korea's Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment will make separate disposal of paper cartons mandatory in large apartment complexes from 1 January 2027
- A voluntary pilot begins next month (October 2026) across about 144,000 apartment complexes with 300 or more households
- The ministry signed an MOU on 21 September 2026 at the Hansol Paper Daejeon plant with Seoul Milk, Maeil Dairy, Hansol Paper, Ssangyong C&B, SIG Combibloc Korea, Tetra Pak and industry bodies
- Producers including Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy will share collection, sorting and recycling costs and increase purchases of recycled paper products
- Signatories will fund optical sorting machine installations and design-stage recyclability improvements
- Hansol Paper already operates carton-recycling equipment at its Daejeon plant, producing recycled pulp for paperboard and other paper products
- Cartons are currently often mixed with general waste paper or discarded in volume-based waste bags, limiting recycling rates
- Paper pack manufacturers will fund technology to improve recyclability from the design stage and advance optical sorting systems
- Recycling industry partners will select high-quality paper packs and produce recycled paper products
- Korea Packaging Recycling Business Mutual Aid Association and the Korea Circulation Resource Distribution Support Center will provide public relations, performance tracking and recycling subsidies
- Hansol Paper's own announcement dates the signing to 22 September 2026 at its Daejeon plant.
- Recovered cartons under the pact will be converted at Daejeon into recycled pulp and paper products including whiteboard paperboard.
- Daejeon plant is described as Korea's largest whiteboard (paperboard) production base
- Collected cartons will be converted into recycled pulp for whiteboard and other paper product feedstock
- Additional signatories named: Paper Carton Recycling Council, Korea Packaging Recycling Business Cooperative and Korea Resource Circulation Service Support Center
- Tetra Pak runs separate pilot carton-collection schemes with several Korean cities and districts, plus IoT collection bins in supermarkets.
- Tetra Pak separately runs carton separation pilots with local municipalities in South Korea
- Tetra Pak has installed IoT aseptic carton collection units in South Korean supermarkets
Tetra Pak has invested ZAR 19 million in an automated carton-recycling machine at its Johannesburg facility, separating aluminium and polyethylene from cartons to produce pellets for roof tiles, pipes and furniture. The company aims to raise South Africa's carton recycling rate from 33% to 40% within two years. The plant is operated by manufacturing partner Unique Timber Plastics in Heriotdale and will create 24 direct jobs, with recycler Mpact and producer-responsibility organisation Petco exploring applications for the recycled pellets.
Why this mattersLocal mechanical recycling capacity for cartons cuts landfill volumes and virgin material use, and could template circular supply chains for other multinationals in Africa.
- Tetra Pak invested ZAR 19 million in an automated carton-recycling machine at its Johannesburg facility
- The machine separates aluminium and polyethylene from paperboard cartons to produce pellets for roof tiles, pipes and furniture
- Tetra Pak aims to lift South Africa's carton recycling rate from 33% to 40% within two years
- The plant is operated by manufacturing partner Unique Timber Plastics in Heriotdale and will create 24 direct jobs
- Local recycler Mpact and industry body PRO Petco are exploring applications for the recycled pellets
- Petco's members include Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Tiger Brands and Tetra Pak itself
- Cartons processed are typically 70 percent paperboard, 25 percent polyethylene and 5 percent aluminium composite
- South African carton recycling rose from 8 percent in 2023 to 33 percent today, ahead of the 40 percent target
Packaging Systems, the Russian former Tetra Pak subsidiary now independent since 2022, is investing about RUB 6 billion (2024-2027) to expand its Lobnya plant, raising capacity from 4 billion to 6 billion aseptic cartons a year. The company has also opened a local assembly centre for filling and processing equipment, previously assembled abroad, with capacity for 25 modules a year. The expansion is due to complete by end-2027 and aims to fully supply Russia's dairy and juice packaging needs.
Why this mattersThe build-out shows Russia's dairy and juice sector localising aseptic carton supply and filling-line assembly, deepening the market split left by Tetra Pak's 2022 exit.
- Investment of about RUB 6 billion planned for 2024-2027 at the Lobnya, Moscow region plant.
- Capacity to rise 50% from 4 billion to 6 billion packages a year, completion targeted by end-2027.
- A local equipment assembly centre opened in March 2026 with capacity for 25 modules a year, previously assembled abroad.
- Packaging Systems was formerly JSC Tetra Pak, sold to local management for a symbolic EUR 1 after Tetra Pak's August 2022 exit from Russia.
- The company is now owned equally by two former Tetra Pak Russia top managers via Eaton Investments LLC.
- 2023 revenue was RUB 31.9 billion; the company supplies about 250 food industry customers.
Maharashtra's Social Justice and Special Assistance Department has centralised school milk supply for more than 65,000 students onto 200 ml aseptic Tetra Pak cartons of flavoured milk, ending local fresh-milk sourcing by individual hostels and schools. Parag Milk Foods and the Warana dairy cooperative won a three-year e-tender contract at USD 0.28 (INR 26.40) per pack, split by administrative division. Nutritional experts and student groups have questioned the switch from fresh to flavoured milk on health and cost grounds.
Why this mattersThe programme gives organised dairies a large, fixed-price institutional outlet for UHT aseptic cartons, reinforcing demand for cold-chain-free packaging in public procurement.
- The scheme, launched 15 September 2026, covers more than 65,000 students in 449 government hostels and 92 residential schools in Maharashtra.
- Parag Milk Foods and the Warana dairy cooperative won a three-year supply contract at USD 0.28 (INR 26.40) per 200 ml aseptic carton.
- Parag Milk Foods serves the Mumbai, Nashik, Pune and Latur divisions; Warana serves Nagpur, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- The scheme replaces local fresh-milk procurement by individual institutions with centralised aseptic flavoured-milk cartons.
- The approved price and procurement conditions are fixed for three years with no provision for interim rate changes.
- Nutritional experts and student-advocacy groups have objected to the shift from fresh to flavoured, sweetened milk.
The Australian government has confirmed that no new Commonwealth packaging scheme will be introduced this term, days after plastics recycler Recycling Plastics Australia entered voluntary administration, putting about 60 Adelaide jobs and domestic plastics-processing capacity at risk. Pact Group chair Raphael Geminder described the outcome as a policy rather than a technology failure, while the Australian Council of Recycling and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association pointed to the unsustainable economics facing plastics recyclers. The environment department says it will instead work with states and territories on nearer-term packaging measures, with no decision taken on how the recyclability grading framework will be used.
Why this mattersThe retreat leaves recyclers built with federal money exposed to imports and fragmented state rules, with no national scheme to underwrite demand for their output.
- Recycling Plastics Australia entered voluntary administration, putting about 60 Adelaide jobs at risk
- The federal environment department told consultation participants that a new Commonwealth packaging scheme will not be introduced in this term of government
- The department says it will work with states and territories on nearer-term packaging regulation instead, with no decision on the recyclability grading framework
- Pact Group chair Raphael Geminder said the government banned plastic waste exports and put AUD 137 million into recycling plants without creating the market conditions for them to be viable
- Australia has banned the export of plastic waste, requiring the material to be processed domestically
- The latest consultation on the Design for Kerbside Recyclability Grading Framework drew on more than 65 interviews
Tetra Pak has partnered with Shanghai Meilin, a sub-brand of Shanghai Bright Meat Group, to package ready-to-eat Chinese dessert soups in its Tetra Recart carton, giving the products up to 18 months of ambient shelf life. The launch covers Rock Sugar Mung Bean Soup and Rock Sugar Snow Fungus Soup, building on earlier joint work applying the format to regional dishes such as braised pork rice and beef curry.
Why this mattersThe extension shows carton packaging displacing glass and metal in ready-to-eat categories in China, widening Tetra Pak's addressable market against rigid-pack incumbents.
- Tetra Recart gives the new dessert soups up to 18 months of ambient shelf life without preservatives
- Shanghai Meilin, a sub-brand of Shanghai Bright Meat Group, launched Rock Sugar Mung Bean Soup and Rock Sugar Snow Fungus Soup in the format
- Tetra Recart is available in six sizes from 100 mL to 500 mL
- The two companies previously collaborated on Taiwanese-style braised pork rice, Japanese-style beef curry and Shanghai-style borscht soup in Tetra Recart cartons
- Tetra Pak cites potential future applications including soft tofu pudding, Beijing pear soup, mango pomelo sago and lotus seed red bean soup
Tetra Pak presented Factory OS, a platform combining artificial intelligence with industrial automation, data analysis and real-time monitoring of production lines, at ForoMX 2026 in Mexico. It also set out results from its Advanced Agreements service contracts, reporting an average 9% improvement in overall equipment effectiveness, an 11% reduction in operating costs and a 94% contract renewal rate. Studies the company presented at the event put the OEE advantage of highly automated food and beverage plants at up to 20% over less automated facilities.
Why this mattersAutomation and AI-linked service contracts give equipment suppliers a route to recurring revenue and deeper customer lock-in beyond machine sales.
- Higher automation can lift overall equipment effectiveness by up to 20% versus lower-technology plants, per Tetra Pak studies.
- Product waste can be reduced by up to 45% and packaging line downtime by up to 20% with higher automation.
- Tetra Pak Factory OS combines artificial intelligence, industrial automation, data analysis and real-time monitoring.
- Tetra Pak reports an average 9% improvement in OEE and an 11% reduction in operating costs under its Advanced Agreements model.
- The Advanced Agreements model has a 94% contract renewal rate.
- The platform was presented at ForoMX 2026 in Mexico.
- Peru launch
- Edwin Rozo presented
UFlex has inaugurated a $126 million greenfield Asepto aseptic carton facility at Ain Sokhna, Egypt, with eventual annual capacity of 12 billion packs, taking the Indian group's combined global aseptic capacity to about 24 billion packs a year alongside its Sanand plant in India. The Egyptian plant is expected to start at around 30% utilisation and progressively ramp toward full capacity by around 2030, targeting Europe, Africa, the Gulf, the Americas and the CIS via Suez Canal shipping routes.
Why this mattersA second, closer-to-market aseptic base gives UFlex a route to compete more directly with Tetra Pak, SIG and Elopak in Europe, Africa and the Gulf.
- Investment: $126 million greenfield Asepto plant at Ain Sokhna, Egypt, on a 30-acre site
- Eventual annual capacity: 12 billion aseptic carton packs, matching UFlex's Sanand plant in India
- Combined global aseptic capacity reaches approximately 24 billion packs per year
- Initial utilisation expected at roughly 30%, rising to about 70% in year two and design capacity by 2030
- The plant has entered customer trials, with commercial production planned for late 2026
- Egypt trade access includes COMESA, GAFTA and the African Continental Free Trade Area
- The Ain Sokhna plant is equipped with two Heidelberg Boardmaster printing lines, an SML extrusion line and two IMS slitters.
- Utilisation is now phased at about 30% in year one and 60-70% in year two, with full capacity targeted around 2029-30.
- UFlex reported group revenue of about $1.63 billion for the year ended 31 March, with more than 16,000 employees globally.
- More than $100 million of the $126 million investment has already been spent.
- UFlex frames the Egypt plant as a shift from an India-led export model to multi-location global manufacturing
- The plant uses a Heidelberg Board Master XL 1650 printing line and an SML Triplex extrusion laminator.
- Paper for the plant is supplied by Stora Enso.
- Asepto's existing Sanand, India plant serves over 250 customers in more than 50 countries.
- Utilisation is now guided at 30% in year one, rising to 100% by year three.
- The Ain Sokhna plant uses automated manufacturing machinery
- The Ain Sokhna plant sits in the Orascom Industrial Park within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
- Installed equipment includes a Heidelberg Boardmaster XL 1650 press, an SML Triplex lamination line and Madern Automation reel handling rated at 160 reels an hour.
- Commercial trials are underway ahead of commissioning, still targeted before the end of 2026.
- The Ain Sokhna plant will use next-generation automated manufacturing machinery
- UFlex's Q1 FY27 consolidated net profit rose 629.6% year-on-year to INR 423.3 crore
- Q1 FY27 revenue rose 37.6% year-on-year to INR 5,366 crore
Tetra Pak's 2025 sustainability report shows a post-consumer carton recycling rate of 21.4% in Colombia, up from the prior year after recovering 4,400 tonnes of material. Globally the company cut value-chain greenhouse gas emissions by 34% versus 2019 and invested EUR 100m in lower-carbon packaging R&D plus EUR 42m in post-consumer collection and recycling infrastructure.
Why this mattersRising collection infrastructure and recycling rates in emerging markets support carton packaging's circularity case as brand owners face tightening sustainability expectations.
- Colombia recycling rate for Tetra Pak cartons reached 21.4% in 2025, recovering 4,400 tonnes of material
- Colombia collection network now spans 335 waste management organisations, 21 departments and over 1,000 collection points
- Global value-chain GHG emissions cut 34% versus 2019, direct operations emissions cut 56%, 97% of energy from renewable sources
- Company target is a 46% GHG reduction by 2030
- EUR 100m invested in R&D for lower-carbon-footprint packaging
- Additional EUR 42m invested globally to develop post-consumer collection and recycling infrastructure
- Tetra Pak's EUR 100m 2025 R&D spend included a new paper-based barrier for juice cartons claimed to cut carbon footprint by about 43%
- Tetra Pak recovered 2,370 tonnes of post-consumer cartons in Central America and the Caribbean in 2025, led by Costa Rica with 1,671 tonnes, Dominican Republic 518 tonnes, Panama 102 tonnes and Guatemala 79 tonnes
Mexican beverage maker Grupo Jumex and Tetra Pak presented Jumex Nectar on 20 August 2026, a no-added-sugar nectar range in mango, apple and peach flavours, free of front-of-pack warning labels. It is the third such product the two companies have co-developed, following Unico Fresco in 2008 and Jumexito in 2024, and is packaged in Tetra Pak cartons.
Why this mattersCarton suppliers are positioning clean-label, sugar-reduction reformulation as a growth driver as Mexican brand owners respond to warning-label regulation and health-conscious demand.
- Jumex Nectar launched 20 August 2026 in mango, apple and peach flavours
- Product is free of added sugar and front-of-pack warning seals
- Third joint Jumex-Tetra Pak sugar-free product, after Unico Fresco (2008) and Jumexito (2024)
- 80% of Jumex products are packaged in Tetra Pak carton, per CMO Sergio Spinola
- 41% of consumers surveyed view carton packaging as the most environmentally friendly option, per Tetra Pak Mexico
Tetra Pak has developed with Spanish canner Jealsa the first carton package for canned tuna, using the Tetra Recart format. A 200ml Mini version has launched in Sweden with retailer Axfood, ahead of a wider rollout to producers and food brands worldwide.
Why this mattersA retort carton entering canned fish challenges steel and glass in a category they have held for decades.
- Tetra Pak and Jealsa launched the first carton pack for canned tuna in Tetra Recart format.
- The 200ml Mini version debuted in Sweden with retailer Axfood.
- Tetra Pak commissioned Meticulous Research, which forecasts world canned tuna output rising 12% by 2030 to 12.4 billion units.
- The pack uses up to 71% FSC-certified paper from renewable sources.
- Tetra Pak states the carbon footprint is 85% lower than steel cans and 83% lower than glass jars.
- Jealsa will sell the format under its own brands Rianxeira, Mare Aperto and Robinson Crusoe, and for private label.
- Wider tuna range now includes 100ml and 200ml Mini Tetra Recart formats
- Tetra Pak says the format can provide up to 20% more units per pallet in some configurations
- Tetra Pak says 100g-200g formats account for more than 60% of the global shelf-stable tuna market
