7 Aug. 2023: The world’s largest fresh liquid carton supplier has a relatively small presence in UK, albeit with good growth.
Speaking exclusively to Packaging News, Thomas Körmendi, chief executive, said the UK is a like the ‘big prize’ in Europe, because the milk market is currently dominated by HDPE bottles: “It’s a fresh market and a big market, it’s a very attractive to be part of this.”
He pointed out that milk cartons were previously a regular concept in the UK – indeed Elopak and Tetra had plants here previously.
“We are waiting for market to change again for milk. The cost drivers to convert pack lines are prohibitive so far. Previously cartons needed to be cut by consumers – which is one reason plastic bottles triumphed. Now the convenience of pouring from cartons is absolutely on par with plastic bottles. So watch the next battle ground! We think at some point the consumer faces the daily impact on what sustainability means.”
Despite 80-90% of milk bottles in the UK being sold in plastic packaging, Körmendi said he saw this as an opportunity: “Multiple life cycle analysis studies have proven the sustainability benefits of cartons. More and more companies are switching from plastic bottles to beverage cartons in order to pass on these sustainability benefits to their consumers.
“I think it’s a fascinating market in the heart of Europe – you don’t have many fresh markets around the world that is so plastic orientated.”
But he is confident in growing UK market share with a switch from plastic bottles to cartons for milk
“This switch is already happening in the UK. In 2021, Graham’s switched from using plastic bottles to Pure-Pak cartons made with Natural Brown Board to package its range of organic milk. The change came after consumer research showed that 76% of shoppers already make food and drink purchases based on sustainability reasons.
We expect to see more big brands in the UK follow this trend, not only in milk but across the food and drink sector.”