Tetra Pak sells new packaging line in Spain

Tetra Pak said yesterday it has made the first deliveries of a new aseptic carton packaging line to processors in Spain.

The Tetra Gemina Aseptic packaging line is being used by J. García Carrión, which has launched its premium Don Simón - Gran Selección juice range in Spain.

The Gemina Aseptic line is the world's first roll-fed gable top shaped package for the packaging of both juice and milk-based products, Tetra Pak claims.

The line was unveiled last year at the Anuga exhibition in Germany.

"Consumer research carried out in eight markets shows that the package delivers an attractive design, excellent functionality and product differentiation," the company stated.

"The research also confirms that the package's unique top and distinctive shape combined with easy handling and high pouring performance provides convenience to the end user."

Tetra Gemina Aseptic is produced on a version of the Tetra Pak A3/Flex.

Tetra Pak said it has developed a full packaging line to allow processors to easily change to other Tetra Gemina Aseptic packages to be released in the range.

In other news the Switzerland based company said strong sales in fast-growing markets such as China, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East helped the company increase sales by about 5 per cent in 2006 to €8,533m.

Tetra Pak said it built sales on the continued demand for the Tetra Brik Aseptic, as well as the Tetra Classic Aseptic, Tetra Fino Aseptic and Tetra Prisma Aseptic.

New packages, such as the Tetra Gemina Aseptic as well as increased packaging line performance were also announced in 2006.

About 130 billion individual Tetra Pak packages were used by food companies in 2006, containing over 67 billion litres of products.

During the year the company delivered an additional 664 packaging machines to customers, bringing the total to 8,793.

The number of processing units in operation reached 25,950, with a further 2,137 being added during the year.