FDBusiness.com

 Tetra Pak, the world leader in food processing and packaging, and Greencroft Bottling Company Ltd, part of the Lanchester Wine Group, have today announced a partnership which means that – for the first time ever – wine can be packed in cartons in the UK.  This development, revealed at the London International Wine Fair, brings significant benefits – including commercial, logistical and environmental benefits – to wine brands, importers and retailers. It also provides a convenient alternative to glass bottles for the general public.

 Mark Satchwell, Managing Director at Greencroft Bottling Company Ltd, highlights the commercial benefits of using cartons: “The Tetra Pak carton is a really credible alternative to the glass bottle. The materials are much lower cost and the final product is extremely space-efficient, meaning more products can be merchandised on-shelf, maximising return per square foot of selling space. Cartons also provide strong on-shelf appeal which helps to present clear brand and tier-differentiation.  While branding on bottles is usually limited to two labels, Tetra Pak cartons offer a 100% printing surface area, meaning multiple branding opportunities for customers.”

 Orders placed at Greencroft’s site in Stanley, County Durham will be delivered on the third day, enabling increased flexibility and reducing the need for stockholding. Flexibility is further ensured as rolls of Tetra Pak packaging materials are ordered and delivered, rather than holding stocks of glass bottles.

 Ian Williamson Retail Manager Tetra Pak UK added: “Using cartons really benefits the environment as well as the wine industry. Not only are our cartons widely recyclable, they are lightweight and space efficient; 1 million litres of wine packed in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 750ml cartons can save up to 436 tonnes of packaging versus standard glass bottles. This means fewer trucks on the road and much less fuel required.” 

 Tetra Pak cartons are low-carbon and made primarily from a natural, renewable resource – wood in the form of paperboard – and over 1.5 billion of its cartons in the UK and Ireland are made using FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified board.  Cartons are therefore a sustainable packaging choice for the wine industry.

 Tetra Pak cartons are easy to use, they are light, do not shatter, are easy to grip, store, pour and re-seal. Recycled cartons can be flattened to a sixth of their original size to save space in the recycling bin. Most importantly, cartons protect the quality of wine, making them a good choice for every consumer, helping to create tier-differentiation and navigation within the wine category.