Tetra Pak has announced an ice cream wrapper made from up to 85% paper, with European production trials under way ahead of a phased rollout starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The company unveiled the development on 6 October. Swedish producer Triumf Glass is among the businesses testing the material under live manufacturing conditions.
The move takes a major name in Sweden’s packaging industry further into frozen-food wrapping, where material changes must work through production, transport and freezer storage.
The wrapper combines paper with protective layers. Its remaining materials include polymer, ink and lacquer, meaning it is not plastic-free.
“Packaging is becoming an increasingly important way for brands to differentiate,” said Peter Lindstrom, vice-president of food solutions at Tetra Pak.
For manufacturers, the commercial question is whether the material can protect ice cream while running reliably on their packaging lines. Trials should establish how it handles sealing, production speeds and changes in temperature without increasing rejected packs.
A switch that creates more stoppages or product damage could undermine the benefit of changing materials. Packaging cost also needs to be assessed alongside line efficiency and waste, rather than through the price of each wrapper alone.
The paper percentage does not, by itself, establish whether consumers can recycle the finished pack locally. Brands would need evidence covering the complete material structure and the collection systems available in each market before choosing disposal instructions.
That distinction is particularly relevant for products sold across several countries. A single packaging design may need different consumer guidance depending on where it reaches the freezer aisle.
Tetra Pak has not disclosed named retail listings, pack prices or quantified results from the current trials. Those details will help show whether the format offers a practical alternative for wider adoption.
The planned introduction will begin in Europe, with other markets to follow. Performance in the current trials will be the next test of its readiness for broader commercial use.
Editor’s note: Based on Tetra Pak’s announcement dated 6 October 2026, with additional GTN analysis of production efficiency, packaging claims and retail adoption.
