Seoul Dairy Cooperative (SDC), South Korea’s leading milk producer, has taken a pioneering step in sustainable packaging by introducing the country’s first aluminum-layer-free full barrier aseptic carton packs recognized as recyclable under Korea’s recyclability grading system. The company will initially roll out its organic white milk in SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier cartons. Developed by SIG, this packaging represents the world’s first full-barrier aseptic carton material without aluminum, offering the same protection and shelf life of up to 12 months as traditional aseptic carton packs.
The environmental benefit of dropping aluminum is clear. Aluminum makes up only about 5% of a standard aseptic carton’s weight, yet it contributes roughly 25% of the carton’s carbon footprint. Removing it cuts carbon emissions and also makes recycling easier. Under current Korean rules, these cartons are officially recognized as recyclable, making them the first in the country to earn a recyclable grade. They can now be collected and processed alongside chilled gable-top cartons, which currently enjoy recycling rates up to ten times higher than conventional aseptic cartons.
“Seoul Dairy has always delivered the best products to Korean families under our philosophy of Making the World healthier with Milk, and that commitment extends to the way we protect our environment,” said Jinsup Moon, President & CEO at Seoul Dairy Cooperative. “By adopting SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, we are taking a significant step toward enhanced recycling and supporting Korea’s drive for a circular economy.”
SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier simplifies traditional aseptic cartons from three materials, paper, polymers, and aluminum—to just two: FSC™-certified paperboard and polymers, while maintaining full-barrier protection and compatibility with existing recycling systems.
“This is more than just an incremental improvement – it’s a game-changer for the industry,” said Hans Cho, Country Manager at SIG Korea. “SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier can seamlessly run on existing SIG carton filling lines with full performance including high-speed of up to 24,000 packs per hour on SIG filling lines for small-size cartons with only minor, low-cost adaptations. It’s a plug-and-play solution for beverage producers who want to future-proof their packaging and deliver on sustainability without compromising product quality or production performance.” Since its 2010 introduction of SIG Terra Alu-free, the company has sold over 4 billion packs without aluminum, and with SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier already exceeding 400 million packs sold since 2023, brands can meet evolving consumer and regulatory expectations while maintaining full barrier performance and product safety.