Tetra Pak is a multifunctional food packaging solution. Speaking accessible, this is called packaging, packaging, package. Exactly this name belongs to the manufacturer, which produces safe and sterile packaging products. For what they are needed, and what function they perform, we'll talk a little later, but now let's delve into the story.
At the origins of a mathematical idea
Agree that packaging surrounds us always and everywhere. For example, the kernels of a nut ground in a peel, the flesh of an orange - in a dense skin, and the human soul languishes in a body shell. Everything was designed by nature itself, and when this process began, it's hard to say. But who knew the origins of the new hygienic and practical packaging for milk, we know for sure. In the sixties of the XX century, the brilliant idea of creating a tetra-pack came to the head of the Swedish inventor Eric Wallenberg. Only then did the packaging take the form of a tetrahedron (a pyramid with four faces). But this idea was not immediately realized, a few years later the Rausing company launched its first production.
Proven Technologies
The production of tetra packs is a laborious and well-organized process. The world's first Tetra equipment was launched by the German company Alster Milchwerk in Hamburg. These were the first steps to world fame for such a successful solution to the problem of preservation and transportation of food products. Today, absolutely all plants of this brand work in unison. Moreover, they are built on the same layout and look identical regardless of their location. The attitude towards staff is the same everywhere - rational work that does not endure haste and laziness. At all stages of production, high purity conditions are observed. It cannot be otherwise when it comes to food.
So how are tetra-packs born?
This is a family business that dates back to 1959. Today the company uses and implements the latest technological solutions. For example, for convenience, we decided to mark the seams of soldering boxes below the liquid level. And that's not all. You probably heard about the concept of ultra-pasteurization, which consists in the following: a container with contents undergoes a heat treatment of 150 degrees, and then it instantly cools down within four seconds. Why is this needed? The fact is that such manipulations retain the freshness of the product for up to six months.
The head of the company, Ruben Rausing, in the middle of the last century proposed the optimal design for perfect packaging. He combined cardboard, plastic and aluminum. And for a long time such a decision was relevant. Years later, the third-generation Rousings came up with a new formula: a 25% polyaluminium mixture, which contains paraffin and aluminum. It is with her that the contents are in contact without harm and changes in taste. All this is due to the fact that tetra-packs are made from environmentally friendly materials. All products consume about 75% of cardboard. From 100% waste make containers that do not come into contact with food. You can call it a non-waste and safe process. Another scenario of events is not even considered, since recyclables are considered unhygienic and dangerous to human health.
The next step in Tetra Pak's innovation is to create a versatile packaging that can come in direct contact with the liquid.
From the forest to the counter
This is the process of packaging production:
- first of all, ink stencils are made;
- then blanks of future packages (cardboard) are sent to a printing machine, there labels of future products are applied to them;
- after that, the printed bobbins with blanks are laminated;
- future packages in the form of twisted bobbins are cut into the workshop;
- the last step - the cut bobbins are wrapped in a film, stamped and sent to slad.
After such a complex and serious packaging process, they are sent to the plants, where they are directly filled.
Thanks to this carefully thought-out technology, the freshness of liquid products (juices, kefirs, ketchups, milk) keeps the tetra-pack longer.
For these purposes, convenient packaging materials have been developed that are capable of retaining the nutrients and taste of their contents. Starting from the middle of the last century and ending today, the company under the leadership of the Rausings continues to improve.
What is the use of such packaging material, and where is it most often used?
The scope of tetra packs is very, very wide. Mostly these are sales and consumer business.
Food manufacturers use them in large volumes, preserving the freshness of their goods from six to twelve months. In such packages you can store:
- absolutely all dairy products;
- vegetable and fruit juices, mashed potatoes;
- sauces and dressings;
- ready meals;
- animal feed;
- canned food;
- alcoholic drinks.
This is not a complete list.
The 16th International Exhibition "Dairy and Meat Industry" was held in Russia, where Tetra Pak was represented. Moscow is a city where all sorts of innovations are progressing. At this exhibition, platforms were provided for seminars with the participation of Russian and foreign speakers, experts and representatives of Tetra Pak. Everything happened from February 27 to March 2 at the Crocus Expo IEC. There are representative offices of this famous company all over the world. In the cardboard packaging market, it occupies 70-95% of the total production.
An important decision of the Swedish company was the task of producing packaging for food products from completely biodegradable materials. Specialists are seriously working on these developments, and we will believe that their work will succeed.
Benefits
To begin with, the tetra-pack is very convenient. Products in such containers are easily transported, taking up little space. They are easy to open and store. For example, recently a manufacturer began to produce tubes for juices. On special models, perforation for straws and convenient lids are provided. They are easy to open. Safe raw materials do not harm the environment; moreover, they are easy to dispose of. We are confident that the technologists and inventors of the Swedish company will surprise us with new technological solutions in the near future. Because tetra-pack is an affordable future.