Tetra Pak and Spanish seafood producer Jealsa have launched what they describe as the world’s first carton packaging solution for shelf-stable tuna, marking a significant innovation in one of the food industry’s most established categories.
The new packaging, based on Tetra Pak’s Tetra Recart technology, was introduced in Sweden last month through retailer Axfood in a 200ml Mini format and is now being made available to food producers and brands globally.
Developed through a collaboration between the two companies, the solution aims to provide an alternative to traditional metal cans while helping brands stand out in the growing shelf-stable tuna market, which is forecast to reach 12.4 billion units by 2030.
“This is true packaging innovation in a category that has looked the same for generations,” said Tatiana Liceti, executive vice president, Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak.
“With the industry’s first carton for shelf-stable tuna in Tetra Recart, we are giving producers and brands a new way to stand out on shelf, support cost-competitive, scalable production and modernise with a paper-based alternative to cans.”
According to Tetra Pak, consumer research indicates strong demand for the format, with more than 80% of consumers saying they would buy tuna packaged in Tetra Recart and 58% preferring it to existing packaging alternatives.
“In Jealsa’s 68-year history in shelf-stable seafood, we have always been committed to innovation,” said Jesús M. Alonso Escurís, president of Jealsa.
“The launch of this market-leading product sets a new benchmark for the industry. Together, we are delivering a solution that responds to evolving consumer expectations.”
The rectangular carton is designed to improve shelf visibility, warehousing efficiency and e-commerce handling while offering environmental benefits. Tetra Pak says the package has a significantly lower carbon footprint than steel cans and glass jars and contains up to 71% FSC-certified paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Following the Swedish launch, Jealsa plans to expand the format across its own brands, including Rianxeira, Mare Aperto and Robinson Crusoe, as well as selected third-party brands.
