Bringing innovation to RTD coffee space – Food & Beverage Industry News
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Tetra Pak’s range of innovative and environmentally friendly packaging has been well known for its popularity in the beverage space, and this trend has continued with RTD coffee. Tetra Pak, experts in packaging, have built a strong reputation in the beverage space for its alternative packaging options, particularly with milk and juice. However, what some might not realise, is Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions are perfectly catered to many other segments in the sector, including RTD coffee, which has seen a spike in popularity in recent years. Jaymie Pagdato, marketing director, Tetra Pak Oceania, has also recognised the growth of the RTD coffee sector. “We are seeing a growth in the RTD coffee space, and it isn’t a big surprise given how much Australians love coffee,” she said. “From the establishment of cafes was interrupted by the pandemic which helped grow inhouse coffee consumption and that carries on with RTD. It’s a bit about consumption change and location changes, whether that is at home or out of home. RTD coffee is serving up convenience. “The source of energy, convenience, and of course the taste all plays a part. “We are also seeing up and coming brands that were previously in the plant-based space extending into the RTD coffee space which is injecting curiosity and interest in the market.” Pagdato said the impact of emerging coffee drinkers in Generation-Z, along with the impacts of other coffee drinking trends, was also playing a key role in the changing face of the RTD coffee sector. “Gen-Z consumers are not your traditional coffee drinkers,” she said. “They tend to prefer colder brew and take away coffee. These things, plus genuine interest in something new, has seen the RTD coffee segment really grow.” Tetra Pak’s existing and innovative packaging options have already been proven in the beverage space, which makes them the perfect option for RTD coffee manufacturers. “We have existing packaging options available that are perfect for the RTD coffee space,” added Pagdato. “For example, we have the Tetra Prisma Aseptic with the Dream Cap. This innovation has been in the market for a handful of years but now when you think about convenience consumers are looking for with RTD coffee, it presents a great solution. “The Dream Cap forms to the contour of your face for superior consumer experience.” Another advantage of the Tetra Prisma Aseptic design is its ability to avoid the opening of the carton being soaked through by the beverage, something Pagdato said out consumers off. “And with due respect to other packaging options such as cans, this one is great because it can be re-closed and taken with you wherever you go, and it won’t spill,” she added. “Providing more convenience. I should also point out the pack has plenty of real estate for businesses to showcase everything they want and need for their brand and its personality.” Tetra Prisma Aseptic cartons also provide a large space with which brands can work with to help their product stand out, and to provide critical information to the consumer. “If you look at some the packaging options there may be some limitations but this one you can fully utilise the packaging space to create something that jumps off the shelf,” said Pagdato. On top of this, other consumer demands, and industry demands, are centred around more environmentally friendly and sustainable models of packaging. Something Tetra Pak can provide. “A lot of our packaging solutions are at an average of 75 per cent paper based which means a lot of our packaging material is made from plants and trees,” said Pagdato. “Even the plastic component of the pack we have options for brand owners to choose plant-based plastic. Which means they are renewable and low carbon. “These materials can be replenished over time and alongside innovation we want to make sure whatever we put out there has a halo of sustainability and doesn’t compromise on emissions.” Another advantage to Tetra Pak’s global presence is that its products already meet very stringent European Union packaging regulations and standards, which already exceed those in Australia. Ensuring top quality and compliant packaging for the Australian market. On top of this, is a proven track record across the world for providing the perfect solution for RTD coffee. “I think that brings a level of familiarity and credibility. We join forces to bring credibility, familiarity, and innovation to consumers,” said Pagdato. “Therefore, consumers are predisposed to trying these new offerings. The other thing it brings for Tetra Pak is we are mostly known for juice and milk packaging but now you can find out products as solutions to categories outside of those two. “What those partnerships bring is exposure and relevance of our cartons into other categories where we perhaps weren’t as well known for.” Some of these foreign markets include the huge RTD coffee sector in Japan and the emerging sector in the USA. “We live in a world where people in general love coffee and they will be looking at new ways and places to consume coffee, especially based on convenience throughout the day,” said Pagdato. “This packaging provides the opportunity to give consumers exactly that. “Whether it is about recyclability of the packs, renewable and recycled content, we can always point to our product meeting those guidelines across the world. “That gives us the ability to support brand owners locally and future proof against where that growth may take that packaging to, in terms of foreign markets. Tetra Pak’s marketing and development teams also provide an invaluable tool to customers. “The role there is to accelerate decision making, what you find in established brand is they have their own data and marketing team, we provide complementary data to help see local and global trends better,” said Pagdato. “And for emerging brands it’s about giving them avenues to produce a formulation that benefits them, and we can do that in smaller batches. “This helps limit the waste risk, especially when you are still developing your formula.” Another way Tetra Pak is helping to limit waste is with the use of saveBOARD, a low carbon building material made from recycled plastics and materials. “The used cartons are collected and brought to a saveBOARD facility in NSW where we have a full carton solution,” said Pagdato. “The materials are recycled into building boards and the whole packaging is used. We want to make it easy for consumers and saveBOARD is a proven technology. “The next site in Victoria will be up and running from the middle of next year. Even beyond recycling we look at the packaging lifecycle.” To learn more about how Tetra Pak you can visit the company website on
www.tetrapak.com.au.