Berglandmilch pioneers SIG’s alu-layer-free full barrier aseptic carton in Austria, cutting CO₂

Berglandmilch, Austria's leading dairy company, is the first in Austria to choose SIG Terra
Alu-free + Full barrier, the world’s first full barrier aseptic carton packaging material with no aluminum layer. Berglandmilch will offer white milk from its premium brand “Schärdinger Formil” in SIG Terra MidiBloc Alu-free + Full barrier reducing the already low carbon footprint of standard SIG aseptic cartons by 22%¹. The environmental benefit is communicated directly to consumers on the packaging.

 

SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier is a huge step forward in the push to decarbonize the food and beverage industry. By removing the aluminum layer used in conventional aseptic carton packs to protect milk or oxygen-sensitive products such as juices or plant-based beverages, SIG has reduced the number of raw materials from 3 to 2. The new packaging material is primarily made of paper and uses ultra-thin polymer barriers, that protect the product against oxygen, light, moisture and aroma loss. It offers the same product shelf life of up to 12 months and the same product protection as standard full-barrier materials, that use aluminum as a protective layer, while significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Although aluminum accounts for just around 5% of a standard aseptic carton, it accounts for up to 25% of its carbon footprint in a full-barrier package. Removing it represents a major gain for environmental performance.

 

 

Josef Braunshofer, CEO at Berglandmilch: “At Berglandmilch, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Choosing SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material is a clear step forward for us. It helps us to lower CO₂ emissions without compromising on product protection. We believe in partnering with companies like SIG that share our commitment to innovative, responsible packaging solutions.”

 

 

SIG has been a pioneer in aluminum-layer-free cartons since 2010, having sold over 4 billion alu-layer-free packs to date. Opting for SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, the most advanced aluminum-layer-free full barrier packaging material by SIG, will offer Berglandmilch high flexibility to use it for a wide range of different products including oxygen-sensitive products. Being the first company in Austria to offer aseptic carton packaging made from SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material gives Berglandmilch the opportunity to gain a real competitive advantage.

 

 

“We are very proud that Berglandmilch has chosen our SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier solution,” said Viktoria Uhl-Pochman, Head of Sales Austria & Switzerland at SIG. “With a high renewable material share, no aluminum layer, and the same trusted barrier performance, this innovative packaging material helps reduce CO₂ emissions. Berglandmilch is the first dairy to utilize the advantages of SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier for its 1-liter carton packs, thereby enabling consumers to make even more sustainable purchasing decisions.”

 

 

The packaging material is fully compatible with existing SIG filling lines. Designed as a “plug-and-play” solution, it is delivering optimal performance at high speeds – up to 24,000 packs per hour for small-size carton packs and 15,000 packs per hour for multi-serve formats – with only minimal, cost-effective adjustments required.

 

SIG plans to gradually introduce SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier across all its core aseptic carton formats and across all beverage and dairy categories. These solutions represent important progress in SIG’s mission to create an alu-layer-free, full barrier aseptic carton made with at least 90% paper content, including the closure, by 2030, aiming to improve renewability, further reduce carbon emissions, and streamline the recycling process of aseptic cartons by requiring only the separation of paperboard and polymers.

 

¹ based on an independent ISO-compliant life-cycle assessment: https://go.sig.biz/l/251992/2025-07-15/7s4grv/251992/1752591448sah1vmYy/LCA_SIG_Terra_Alu_free_Full_barrier_and_SIG_Terra_Alu_free_Full_barrie.pdf 

 

 

 

About SIG

 

SIG is a leading solutions provider of packaging for better – better for our customers, for consumers, and for the world. With our unique portfolio of aseptic carton, bag-in-box, and spouted pouch, we work in partnership with our customers to bring food and beverage products to consumers around the world in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way. Our technology and outstanding innovation capabilities enable us to provide our customers with end-to-end solutions for differentiated products, smarter factories, and connected packs, all to address the ever-changing needs of consumers. Sustainability is integral to our business, and we strive to create a regenerative food packaging system.

 

Founded in 1853, SIG is headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, and listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange. The skills and experience of our approximately 9,600 employees worldwide enable us to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of our customers in over 100 countries. In 2024, SIG produced 57 billion packs and generated €3.3 billion in revenue. SIG also has an AAA ESG rating by MSCI, a Platinum CSR rating by EcoVadis, and is included in the FTSE4Good Index. For more information, visit www.sig.biz 

 

 

 

 

Your contact for media inquiries:
Heike Thevis

Press Officer at SIG
Tel: +49 (0)2462 79 2608
Email: heike.thevis@sig.biz