Siropac introduces maple syrup in Tetra Pak cartons

Canadian independent maple syrup manufacturer Siropac, has chosen Tetra Pak Canada's 250ml Tetra Brik Aseptic carton for packaging its new maple syrup. One of Canada's best known resources, maple syrup joins the growing list of products such as soy beverages, soups and soup stock that are available in Tetra Pak cartons in North America, Asia and Europe.

Harvested from its estimated 260-acre property in New Brunswick, home to more than 42,000 tapped maple trees, maple syrup is Siropac's first and only product. Maple syrup is traditionally packaged in clear plastic or glass bottles. Siropac chose the Tetra Pak​ carton for its ability to keep products fresher longer by blocking out light that, over time, diminishes the quality of maple syrup.

"We were looking for a package that was convenient for our customers and could maintain the freshness and quality of the syrup,"​ said Don Sullivan, president of Siropac. "Over a prolonged period, exposure to light through clear bottles causes the quality of the syrup to degrade."​

The carton's rectangular shape makes more efficient use of space when transporting in trucks or shipping containers, and the light weight of the Tetra Pak carton generates savings on shipping fees. Made from 70 per cent paperboard, 25 per cent polyethylene and five per cent aluminium foil, the cartons weigh just 11 grams. When filled they make up only five per cent of a product's total weight. Compared to glass, Siropac pays significantly less to ship more product and less packaging based on shipment weight.

"The carton's shape and light weight will save us a substantial amount of money on shipping and storage costs,"​ said Sullivan. "In a single 40-foot container, we are able to ship up to 70,000 - 250ml Tetra Pak cartons."​

Shipping costs are a key concern for Siropac. The Tetra Pak packaging has generated interest from distributors in Canada and abroad. Siropac is currently in negotiations to ship its maple syrup to the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. The company is hoping to sell 500,000 cartons in 2002, doubling that amount in 2003.

"The size has made us more competitive on the grocery shelf,"​ said Sullivan. "The 250ml format is the perfect size for one-time use for a family of four. The aseptic benefit of the package means that there is no need for any additives for preservation. Only 100 per cent pure Canadian maple syrup is packaged."​

Products in Tetra Pak are protected by high-barrier packaging material that blocks out air, light and bacteria, the elements that can cause food to deteriorate. Processing and packaging under aseptic conditions allow products in Tetra Pak cartons to remain fresh without refrigeration, until opened. In addition, the packaging is 100 per cent recyclable.

"Around the world, Tetra Pak cartons are used for an enormous number of liquid food products. But our cartons also package numerous semi-viscous food products, beyond the traditional beverages, as well,"​ says Evelyn Watson, president of Tetra Pak Canada. "In Canada, Tetra Pak continues to focus on fruit and dairy-based products, but is also developing more and more partnerships with companies, such as Siropac, to develop innovative packaging solutions for a growing list of non-beverage grocery products."​

Internationally, items such as tomato sauce, hummus, Sangria and even pet foods are packaged in Tetra Pak cartons. In Canada, their use has diversified in recent years to include a long list of soy beverages, organic soups and soup stock. Now, for the first time in the world, Canada's sweetest and most well known product, maple syrup, can also be added to that list.

Tetra Pak Canada, which is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, provides integrated processing and packaging systems to liquid food and cheese manufacturers.