Tetra Pak has collaborated with a leading company in the European juices, nectars and soft drinks markets to launch the new Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge beverage carton. This innovative portion package stands out on the shelf, with its distinct look and ergonomic design catering to the preference of modern consumers for taller, slimmer packaging. Research¹ shows that, with buyers rethinking discretionary spending, a ‘less is more’ design approach is gaining in popularity, characterised by pared back simplicity. Designed for ease of use, the shape of the new paper-based carton package also makes it more comfortable to hold, particularly for smaller hands. Its wide opening ensures a steady flow for easy drinking, while its compact size makes it convenient for on-the-go consumption.

Product wastage is minimised by combining the slanted top of the Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge carton with a DreamCap^™ 26 Pro tethered closure. This helps to prevent litter too, as the cap stays attached to the package; therefore, it can be collected alongside the carton once consumers have enjoyed their drink and put the container in the correct bin for recycling.

In addition, the leading European juice brand opted for increasing the renewable share of material in the package to over 85 %, and this translated to reducing the carbon footprint of this carton by 76 %.² This is achieved by combining paperboard from forests certified to Forest Stewardship Council^™ (FSC^™) and other controlled sources with plant-based polymers, derived from responsibly sourced sugarcane. Its reduced climate impact is set to appeal to young consumers, who are more likely to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions (as found in research from Harvard Business Review).³

The Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge is ideal for a wide range of on-the-go beverages, including dairy, juices and functional drinks. Available on the latest Tetra Pak^® A3/CompactFlex filling machine, as well as on existing lines through a simple, cost-efficient upgrade, it brings the packaging configurations⁴ on a single filling machine to five. This versatility enables a quick switching between different packaging sizes and different opening systems, optimising production efficiency⁵ and broadening the range of on-the-go offerings. The latter helps food and beverage (F&B) brands to select the package that best matches specific consumption needs, therefore, attracting an even wider audience.

When it comes to transportation, the taller and slimmer shape of the package means it is possible to fit around the same number of litres and up to 10 % more packages per pallet,⁶ meaning fewer shipments while delivering more product.

Francesco Faella, Vice President Business Sector Ambient, Tetra Pak, comments: “By collaborating with a leading European juice brand and launching the Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge, we are answering the industry’s call for added flexibility and stylish design options to help brands stand out on the shelf. Importantly, we are doing this while also addressing consumer preferences and expectations. Based on our recent global research⁷, environmental concerns remain high for 76 % of respondents, with over 60 % choosing products that have environmentally sound packaging in a bid to protect future generations and one fifth showing preference for containers made of renewable materials.”

¹Tetra Pak-WGSN Design Trend Forecast 2023-2024
²Source: Carbon Trust^™-verified Tetra Pak ‘Carton CO₂ Calculator’ model version 10 (valid from April 2024). Scope: cradle-to-grave measurement of a Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 300 Edge carton with plant-based packaging materials and additional materials (i.e. cap) compared to a standard Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge with fossil-based plastic. Geography: EU Industry data. For more information, visit carbontrust.com/tetrapak
³https://hbr.org/2023/09/research-consumers-sustainability-demands-are-rising
⁴The five packaging configurations include the following: Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 200 Edge with straw; Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 200 Edge with DreamCap^™ 26 closure or DreamCap^™ 26 Pro tethered closure; Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 250 Edge with straw; Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 250 Edge with DreamCap^™ 26 closure or DreamCap^™ 26 Pro tethered closure; Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 300 Edge with DreamCap^™ 26 closure or DreamCap^™ 26 Pro tethered closure.
⁵Addition of three formats in Quick Change, with Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 200 Edge and Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 250 Edge, hence improved flexibility and efficiency when compared with Tetra Prisma® Aseptic 330 Square.
⁶Compared with the Tetra Prisma^® Aseptic 330 package in EU pallet with WASF open ends.
⁷Tetra Pak’s latest Sustainable Packaging consumer research, run in 2023, comprised a total of 14,500 consumer interviews based on an online questionnaire in 29 markets: Germany, France, UK, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina.

Firmenich takes action beyond gender focusing on ethnic minorities, LGBTIQ+ & differently-abled workforce

Firmenich, one of the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and taste companies, became the first company in the world to successfully upgrade its global EDGE Certification for gender equality in the workplace to the next level: “Move” status. Recognizing the Group’s ever more inclusive culture, the leading business certification standard for gender equality awarded Firmenich Move status for its progress in expanding diverse representation at all levels and a strong sense of belonging among its diverse workforce. Firmenich continues to lead in workplace equality, having been the 7th company in the world and the first in its industry to achieve global certification in 2018 at Assess level.

“I am very proud that Firmenich is one of only two companies that have achieved Global EDGE MOVE certification, raising the bar for gender equality under EDGE’s demanding benchmarks for continuous improvement,” said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. “EDGE recognizes our concrete achievements in embedding equality worldwide, as an employer of choice and a trusted and reliable partner for our customers. I am particularly pleased that we set the standard at the very top of the organization with gender parity on our world-class executive team.”

“The remarkable leap forward Firmenich has made in two years at the global level from the first level to the second level of EDGE Certification, EDGE Move, demonstrates that intentional, prioritized and measured actions undeniably accelerate progress towards gender balance, diversity and inclusion,” said Aniela Unguresan, Co-founder of EDGE Certified Foundation. “Specifically, Firmenich’s global EDGE Move certification illustrates the company’s progress in terms of gender representation and proactive management of pay equity across its main countries of operation.”

“Firmenich continues to set the standard for excellence as the best place to work in our industry. Since our first global EDGE certification in 2018, we have achieved significant milestones, from no gender pay gap worldwide to systematically implementing diverse talent pools,” said Mieke Van de Capelle, Chief Human Resources Officer at Firmenich. “While I am very proud of our achievements, we are focusing on new frontiers with targeted action that goes beyond gender. It’s about embracing the power of inclusion of minority groups, securing effective representation and engagement of people with different abilities, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and sexual orientation.”

Building on its achievements, the Group’s new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy sets ambitious 2030 people goals, including commitments on human rights, ethnic pay equity, creating 5,000 job opportunities for youth and continuing to raise the representation of differently-abled people in its workforce to 10 %.

Since 2018, Firmenich has raised women’s representation in its global workforce to 41 % and eliminated gender pay gaps. Expanded flexible working opportunities worldwide, effective recruitment and promotion practices, as well as continuous training and mentoring, have enhanced equal representation at all levels including critical pathways to senior management. Half of Firmenich’s Executive Committee is female.

EDGE Certification at the global level entails a global evaluation of Firmenich data and processes, as well as a comprehensive survey of its employees worldwide. Firmenich emerged from the rigorous assessment as an employer that is clearly meeting and exceeding core certification criteria around hiring, pay, retention, development and engagement of its employees.

About EDGE
Certification EDGE is the leading global assessment methodology and business certification standard for gender equality. It measures where organizations stand in terms of gender balance across their pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices to ensure equitable career flows as well as inclusiveness of their culture. Launched at the World Economic Forum in 2011, EDGE has been designed to help companies not only create an optimal workplace for women and men, but also benefit from it. EDGE stands for Economic Dividends for Gender Equality and is distinguished by its rigor and focus on business impact. EDGE assessment methodology was developed by the EDGE Certified Foundation, which continues to act as the guardian of EDGE methodology and certification standards. Its commercial arm, EDGE Strategy, works with companies to prepare them for the EDGE Certification. EDGE Certification’s diverse customer base consists of 200 large organizations in 44 countries across five continents, representing 29 different industries and employing globally more than 2.4 million employees.