SIG announces APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition for spouted pouch featuring SIG Terra RecShield BD laminate

SIG announced today that it has been formally recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting the highest criteria under the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. This recognition applies to SIG Terra RecShield BD spouted pouch, marking another milestone in SIG’s journey to create designed for recycling packaging solutions across multiple formats and applications.

 

With the spouted pouch now recognized, SIG continues to expand its leadership in APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition beyond bag-in-box and into an additional packaging substrate. This latest innovation joins SIG’s growing portfolio of APR Design® Recognized solutions, including bag-in-box packaging for water (SIG Terra RecShield PE-42B, 2021), post-mix syrup (SIG Terra RecShield D, 2024), and wine (SIG Terra RecShield BD with SIG Terra FlexTap, 2025).

 

 

APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition provides third-party validation that a package or packaging component’s design is compatible with the North American recycling system.

 

The newly recognized spouted pouch was evaluated using the most stringent, industry-accepted criteria and validated through the APR’s Critical Guidance Protocol (FPE-CG-01), confirming compatibility of both the flexible film and rigid spout within the polyethylene recycling stream. For spouted pouches, all components must perform together as a single system to be considered recyclable.

 

 

Teresa Bernal-Lara, Ph.D., Global Head of Film Development, Bag-in-Box and Spouted Pouch at SIG: “Creating a designed for recycling spouted pouch presents a unique challenge. With SIG Terra RecShield BD, we engineered a structure that balances machinability, output, barrier performance, durability, and material compatibility for recycling in a polyethylene stream.”

 

 

Anna Rabanus, Marketing Manager at SIG, added: “This recognition reinforces our commitment to creating solutions designed for recycling across a broader range of packaging formats. Expanding APR Design® Recognition to spouted pouches gives brands greater flexibility to meet performance needs while continuing to progress on their sustainability goals.”

 

 

This recognition marks the fourth APR Design® for Recyclability Recognized solution within the SIG Terra portfolio, each developed for distinct packaging formats and end-use needs. Together, these innovations reflect SIG’s long-term commitment to designing packaging that supports recyclability, reduces environmental impact, and gives customers more sustainable choices without compromising performance. As SIG continues to expand its designed for recycling portfolio, the journey to package for better moves forward.

 

 

Christopher Morgan, Senior Film Development Engineer at SIG: “Achieving APR Design® Recognition for a spouted pouch solution represents a significant technical milestone for SIG. The ability to engineer a barrier film with a compatible spout in a way that maintains the integrity of the recycling stream opens the door to new opportunities and pushes our vision of sustainability further. SIG Terra RecShield BD is a strong example of how advanced packaging formats can be optimized for recyclability without losing the functionality our customers rely on.”

 

 

 

 

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 9,700 employees worldwide enable us to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of our customers in over 100 countries. In 2025, SIG produced around 54 billion packs and generated €3.2 billion in revenue. SIG 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