Today's KNOWLEDGE Share
🥛 6 layers, 1 mission: keeping your milk fresh
What looks like a simple carton is actually a multi-layer aseptic packaging system engineered to protect milk during storage and distribution.
A Tetra Pak aseptic carton combines paperboard, polyethylene, and aluminum foil in six functional layers. Together, they create a sterile, oxygen- and light-proof barrier that preserves milk without refrigeration or preservatives.
🔬 Breakdown of the 6 layers:
1️⃣ Polyethylene (outer) – Protects against external moisture and ensures a liquid-tight surface.
2️⃣ Paperboard (approx. 70% of the carton) – Provides mechanical strength, rigidity, and allows printing/branding.
3️⃣ Polyethylene (tie layer) – Bonds paperboard to the aluminum foil.
4️⃣ Aluminum foil (≈6% of carton weight, only 6–7 microns thick) – Creates an almost complete barrier to oxygen, UV light, and flavor migration. This is the key to long shelf life.
5️⃣ Polyethylene (tie layer) – Bonds aluminum with inner polyethylene for structural integrity.
6️⃣ Polyethylene (food-contact inner layer) – Ensures hygiene and prevents milk from direct contact with aluminum.
⚙️ Why this matters in UHT milk:
Aseptic process + multilayer barrier = shelf life up to 6 months at ambient temperature.
Prevents oxidation, microbial growth, and nutrient loss.
Maintains flavor stability by blocking light-induced off-flavors.
Reduces supply chain costs by eliminating cold storage.
🌍 Impact:
This packaging not only extends shelf life but also helps in reducing food wastage, ensuring safe milk availability even in regions with limited refrigeration.
👉 Next time you see a Tetra Pak carton, remember: it’s not just packaging — it’s a high-performance material science solution.
source : Dairy Planet
