Astoundingly, one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. That staggering number amounts to 1.3 billion tons per year, with an estimated value of nearly $1 trillion USD. And yet, millions of people still lack access to safe and nutritious food. With a global population expected to swell to 8.5 billion by 2030, fostering responsible food production and consumption methods will be critical to feeding the world of tomorrow.

The ability to feed yourself and your family shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a universal right. Everyone, everywhere, deserves access to safe and nutritious food, regardless of location or circumstance. That’s why Tetra Pak, a world-leading food processing and packaging company, is committed to working with others to forge a world with secure and sustainable food systems.

The path forward? Collaboration. 

EMBRACING COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION: THE SMART MOVE

Addressing the food challenges facing our planet requires massive innovation. Building sustainable food startups and companies that understand their holistic impact not only on human nutrition but also on agriculture, nature, and climate change, will become essential to our survival. To foster real innovation, we must build an inclusive ecosystem with a myriad of ideas and solutions to create systemic change.

By collaborating and sharing insights, we collectively improve. One way we do this is through Tetra Pak’s innovation ecosystem, a wealth of tools and expertise driving sustainable development and growth in the food and beverage industry. From trendspotting to co-creation at our Product Development Center, we’re constantly pioneering new solutions to tackle evolving business challenges for both established companies and startups alike. 

Throughout this collaborative journey, we must all prioritize sustainability. Commitments to finding sustainable solutions are necessary to create responsible food production and consumption methods for a growing population, well into the future. As an industry leader, Tetra Pak is committed to minimizing environmental harm across the entire value chain, and we look for the same from our vendors and suppliers. When materials are not sourced in sustainable ways, it can contribute to deforestation, soil erosion, and other factors that lead to environmental issues. By championing sustainable supply chains and teaching others to do the same, we pave the way for a sustainable path forward for generations to come.

ENGAGING CONSUMERS THROUGH COLLABORATION

Did you know 51% of consumers expect food and beverage companies to take the lead in finding solutions to our food system pressures¹? As more and more consumers reach for clean-label and sustainable products, companies must collaborate with their customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to innovate and explore new approaches to food production. At Tetra Pak, we know packaging plays a vital role in food safety and accessibility. This is why, in 2021, we committed to investing 100 million euros annually for the next five to ten years in sustainable research and development, aiming to create the world’s most sustainable food and beverage package.

As a global company, Tetra Pak works worldwide to drive business decisions based on our purpose: We commit to making food safe and available, everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people, and the planet. These efforts extend to educating consumers on things such as food sourcing practices, product ingredients, packaging materials, and production methods to empower them to make informed decisions that are consistent with these beliefs. Through solutions like our Tetra Pak^® Custom Printing, brands can convey their sustainability efforts and achievements through engaging and dynamic packaging that stands out on a shelf. Speaking to a consumer through the package in their hands and sharing valuable information like how to recycle, the impact of renewable materials, or avoiding food waste is a powerful way to bring consumers into a constructive dialogue to spark positive changes.

A TRUSTED CHOICE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

For seven decades, Tetra Pak has led innovation in the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to solving challenges drives us to develop comprehensive solutions using cutting-edge technology. No other food and beverage company is better equipped to help in this transition.

Implementing resource-efficient equipment and sustainable food packaging through a legacy of expertise uniquely positions Tetra Pak, and our customers, to bring forth solutions that shape a brighter future. And we won’t stop collaborating towards new pathways that help feed a growing world.

We invite you to join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future­­­­­­: A future in which people worldwide are fed efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. Learn how we are working to be part of the solution at https://www.tetrapak.com/en-us/innovation.

Pedro Gonçalves serves as vice president of marketing for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada, focusing on innovation, technology, and strategy for established and emerging brands.   

¹2022 Global Trend Study, Health Focus International