3 Secondary Packaging Options for Tetrapak: Packaging that Saves Space and Promote Sales, and Machines Correspondingly

Tetra Pak, founded in 1951 in Sweden and now has penetrated over 170 markets globally, was one of the trailblazers that revolutionized liquid food packaging with its aseptic technology.

Liquid packaging from Tetra Pak has been widely used for products ranging from milk to juice and to be stored without refrigeration or preservatives. The iconic carton bricks from Tetra Pak are now the most prevailing packaging options for liquid primary packaging, highlighted by its commitment to sustainability as well as their excellent advantage of protection and shelf life extension.

Meiji Milk Tetra Pak

While ELITER‘s packaging solutions does not relate to liquid packaging, our secondary packaging system can serve as your end-of-line following your aseptic brick filling system to fulfil and automate the subsequent packaging procedures, protect and group your bricks for transport, storage, and distribution. We would like to introduce in this article those common secondary packaging options for Tetra Pak bricks for your reference.

What is Tetra Pak Packaging?

Tetra Pak packaging is composed of a multi-layer structure made from paper, polyethylene plastic, and aluminium foil. The typical structure of Tetra Pak packaging includes:

• Paper Layer – The outermost layer provides strength and durability. It is typically printed with branding and product information.
• Polyethylene Plastic Layer – This layer offers moisture resistance and ensures that the packaging is airtight, providing a barrier against water and contaminants.
• Aluminum Foil Layer – Serving as a barrier to light and oxygen, the aluminum foil prevents spoilage, allowing the product to be stored without refrigeration.
• Inner Polyethylene Layer – The innermost layer, in contact with the product, ensures the seal is tight and helps maintain the freshness of the contents.

The combination and different layers o Tetra Pak’s aseptic packaging effectively protects the contents from light, oxygen, and external contamination, remains to the most extent the safety, shelf life, and freshness of package products without the need for refrigeration or preservatives.

Tetra Pak for Heinz Tomato Paste

Over the years of development, portfolios of Tetra Pak has evolved to cover not only milk but to various liquid products with a range of options:

• Tetra Brick – A widely recognized carton for refrigerated beverages with different shapes and sizes.
• Aseptic Tetra Pak – Ideal for non-refrigerated storage, maintaining the quality of dairy, juice, and other beverages for long periods without preservatives.
• Tetra Prisma – A stylish, functional package that provides easy pouring and gripping for consumers.
• Tetra Recart – Designed for products like soups, sauces, and vegetables, allowing long shelf life without refrigeration.

Ranges of Secondary Packaging Options for Tetra Pak Bricks

“Products are loaded into a cardboard box – otherwise known as secondary packaging – for transport to a storage facility or direct to the retailer.” [1]. Opting for the correct and proper form of secondary packaging will benefit the process of distribution and sales on shelves in groceries and supermarkets.

Cardboard Tray Packer – Display Trays With/Without Over Flaps

Tetra-Pak offers as standard complementary packaging options of tray packing following their filling equipment to load bricks into cardboard trays. A cardboard tray with or without over flaps can either provide protection to bricks within as well as to offer open display to showcase the products loaded within.

One of the typical solution is the Tetra Pak® Cardboard Packer 34 that efficiently packs Tetra Pak cartons into cardboard trays or wrap-around units. It features servo-driven technology for precise blank picking and quick changeovers, boosting production efficiency.

With easy access for maintenance and optional “Hotmelt on Demand” for reduced adhesive waste, the Cardboard Packer 34 supports both manual and automated packing. It provides reliable protection and aligns with sustainability goals, offering an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Wrap-Around Case Packing – Rigid Secondary Packaging with more Flexibility

Wrap-around case packing offers significant benefits for Tetra Pak bricks, providing superior protection during transport and storage by securely wrapping the cartons in sturdy, custom-fitted cardboard. Wrap-around cases are cost-effective, lightweight, and versatile, accommodating various carton sizes, making them an ideal choice for both efficiency and sustainability.

Wrap Around Case Packing Sequence Diagram

Cardboard Sleeving – Secondary Packaging for Bundled Multipack Sales

Wrapping Tetra Pak bricks, like soup or tomato paste, in 3-packs with a cardboard sleeve offers key benefits. One of the advantages is to provide convenience for bulk buying, enhances shelf appeal with customizable branding, and protects products during transit. The recyclable sleeve aligns with sustainability goals, while bundling reduces packaging and logistics costs. This practical, eco-friendly solution boosts efficiency and consumer appeal.

You might be interested in sleeving machines manufactured by ELITER Packaging Machinery which will serve as the multipack equipment for grouping your tetra pack bricks with cardboard sleeve.

Talk to ELITER Packaging Machinery about Your Options

The full range of secondary packaging machines designed and manufactured by ELITER Packaging Machinery which covers all principle packaging processes including sleeving, cartoning and case packing following filling and sealing will be the ideal end-of-line for your automated packaging and production.

You will be welcomed to send us an inquiry to our email by office@eliter-packaging.com, or simply to give us a call through the phone number in the footer of our website.