The joint feasibility study to advance circular paper-based packaging solutions includes a plan to set up a beverage carton recycling plant at Stora Enso’s site in Belgium
Stora Enso, Tetra Pak to develop beverage carton recycling solution. (Credit: Stora Enso)
Stora Enso, in partnership with Tetra Pak, is exploring a shared beverage carton recycling solution to meet the recycling requirement in Benelux.
The joint feasibility study to advance circular paper-based packaging solutions also includes a plan to set up a beverage carton recycling plant at Stora Enso’s Langerbrugge site in Belgium.
The fibres would be processed at the Langerbrugge facility, while a dedicated partner would recycle the polymer and aluminium barrier components.
Stora Enso said the partnership will create a complete recycling system for beverage cartons in Benelux and surrounding regions.
Under the collaboration, Stora Enso will process gathered beverage cartons within the solution and extract the fibres that act as source material for making recycled containerboard within the Langerbrugge facility.
Tetra Pak would obtain a recycling solution for polymer and aluminium materials to be processed by a dedicated partner.
The latest project aligns with the recent feasibility study by Stora Enso that looked at the possibility of turning one of the paper lines at the Langerbrugge plant into a high-volume line for recycled containerboard.
The feasibility study is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2023. The recycled containerboard line is expected to commence production in 2025 after a decision to invest.
The collaborative research with Tetra Pak will follow the same schedule.
The proposed recycling line at the Langerbrugge site will initially process 50,000 tonnes of recycled cartons annually, with room for expansion.
Stora Enso LPB Aseptic and CUK VP Markku Luoto said: “At Stora Enso, we constantly pursue opportunities to deepen our commitment to a circular packaging future.
“Circularity advancement requires smart investments and collaboration with the right partners. By working jointly with Tetra Pak, we can simultaneously create value, enhance circularity, and grow our competitiveness.”
Tetra Pak France & Benelux managing director Chakib Kara said: “With this joint initiative, we underline our commitment to local recycling progress and improving infrastructure in Benelux, a region with high volumes of collected beverage cartons.
“Stora Enso is a trusted and important partner which has the know-how and experience we need in fibre recycling.
“Together with them, we have the potential to put in place a circular solution that helps us secure a world where a growing number of carton packages is collected, recycled and we can minimise litter.”