Tetra Pak’s Sonia Kayani on the brand’s focus on innovation

Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has long been at the forefront of providing safe, innovative, and environmentally sound products that reach the needs of hundreds of millions of people across more than 160 countries. With over 25,000 employees worldwide, the company has built a reputation for responsible leadership in the industry, guided by its promise to “Protect What’s Good” — a commitment to making food safe, available, and accessible everywhere.

At this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing, Tetra Pak’s presence was no different. The company showcased how it’s impacting the future of the sector through cutting-edge technologies, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.

Sonya Kayani, Tetra Pak’s communications director for the Greater Middle East, spoke to Gulf Business, sharing insights into the growing demand for sustainable solutions, the key trends emerging from the food industry, and Tetra Pak’s role in supporting food producers to meet the evolving needs of consumers across the globe.

Tetra Pak’s participation at Gulfood is always highly anticipated. Can you share more about your presence at this year’s event?

Yes, Gulfood is a key platform for us, especially in connecting with customers across the region. It’s always a fantastic opportunity to engage with diverse markets. Every year, we always aim to bring something new to the event.

In terms of innovation, this year, we showcased products aligned with the latest consumer trends. For example, we presented a plant-based soft-serve ice cream made from fava beans — an innovative product that may sound unusual but tastes great, providing a unique option for customers looking to cater to plant-based consumers.

Sustainability, of course, is a cornerstone of our strategy. A major part of our booth was made from recycled cartons and 3D-printed furniture. Additionally, we promoted our water packaging, which is our most sustainable offering to date.

Tetra Pak is known for its commitment to sustainability. Can you tell us more about your goals and how your packaging solutions contribute to these efforts?

Sustainability is deeply embedded in our operations. One of our key sustainability goals is to be net zero within our operations by 2030, and net zero across our entire value chain by 2050. This includes not just our packaging, but every step of our process.

Our cartons are made up of 70 per cent recyclable paper, and the polyethylene and aluminium layers are recyclable in many parts of the world. We’re actively working with over 200 recyclers globally, including two in Saudi Arabia and one set to begin operations in the UAE. We also collaborate with local governments to drive waste sorting and recycling initiatives, helping to create a recycling value chain.

Our cartons are not just more sustainable because they’re recyclable, but research shows they also have a smaller carbon footprint compared to other forms of packaging. This makes our packaging an excellent option for environmentally conscious consumers.

At Gulfood, you announced a collaboration with a UAE-based company to use its smart bin technology. Tell us about it.

The ‘Smart Bin’ collaboration is an exciting initiative we’re working on with Renie, a UAE-based company. Its smart bins are essentially reverse vending machines. Consumers can scan a QR code or barcode on a Tetra Pak carton, and the machine identifies it, tracks its journey, and ensures it’s properly recycled. This is a simple yet innovative way to make recycling more accessible and traceable, ensuring that cartons are disposed of correctly and recycled into new products.

At Gulfood, you showcased water in cartons. Tell us more about this and its potential as a more sustainable alternative to PET bottles.

Water in cartons is a significant focus for us. Unlike traditional PET bottles, cartons are made from 70 per cent paper, which is more sustainable and recyclable. Water in cartons has been well received because it’s not only a sustainable option but also protects the integrity of the water better than some other packaging options.

We’re collaborating with LY Company, one of the largest water producers globally, to produce water in Tetra Pak cartons in Saudi Arabia. We believe this is a step forward in promoting more sustainable practices in the region, and it’s something we’ll continue to push for in the future.

You’ve mentioned Tetra Pak’s long history in the region, including your production facility in Jeddah. Can you shed some light on Tetra Pak’s ongoing presence and growth in the Middle East?

Tetra Pak has been in the Middle East for over 44 years, with our production facility in Jeddah serving as a regional hub. We don’t just provide for our markets, which includes 12 Gulf countries, but also export to 11 countries globally. This makes Jeddah a key part of our strategy, allowing us to serve a broad and diverse customer base.

We’ve been fortunate to work with some of the region’s biggest names, such as Sadafco and Arabia, for over 40 years. The region is home to customers who are highly innovative and always eager to provide the best and newest products to their consumers. We’re here to support that innovation by offering solutions that allow customers to create the products that consumers demand.

What are Tetra Pak’s key initiatives to support customers in creating more sustainable products?

One of the key ways we support our customers is through our plant-based solutions. We’ve expanded our capabilities to help customers produce plant-based beverages like almond milk and oat milk, offering innovative packaging solutions that align with growing consumer demand.

Additionally, we’re exploring the concept of new foods, where we’re working on creating plant-based products using enzymes instead of traditional plant-based ingredients like nuts and seeds. This is a very new concept we tested at Gulfood.

What are Tetra Pak’s plans for growth in the region and globally, and how do sustainability goals factor into your strategy?

At the moment, we’re not looking to set up additional production facilities globally. We’re confident that our current facilities, such as the one in Jeddah, are meeting the needs of the markets we serve. However, the interest from global and regional customers at events like Gulfood is growing, and it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our solutions and connect with prospects from around the world.

In terms of sustainability, our net-zero goal by 2030 for our operations and by 2050 across our value chain are major priorities.

We are also committed to making sustainable packaging more accessible and helping our customers reduce their carbon footprints by offering solutions that make their operations more efficient and sustainable.

Are there any exciting plans or innovations we can expect to see from Tetra Pak soon?

As always, we’re continuously working on innovations that push the envelope in sustainability and packaging.

The work we’re doing with alternative barrier materials and the promotion of water in cartons is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re also exploring new product categories like plant-based foods and continuing to drive the adoption of sustainable packaging globally.