Tetra Pak is releasing the world’s first fully renewable package, Tetra Rex Bio-based, following its successful pilot with Finnish dairy Valio.

Having sold its Valio Eila brand of lactose free semi-skimmed milk drink in Tetra Rex Bio-based for the past three months, Valio has decided to use the packaging for other products as well.

Valio will be using Tetra Pak's 100% bio based closures for all its gable-top packages.

The renewable packages are made from a combination of plastics derived from sugar cane and paperboard and are available in different sizes ranging from 250ml to 2000ml for all chilled milk specifications.

Tetra Pak executive vice president of product management and commercial operations Charles Brand said: "After all of the hard work and significant investment that has gone into bringing this package to market, it is hugely rewarding to get such a positive response from both Valio and their consumers."

The plastics used for manufacturing the packaging can be traced back to their origin like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paperboard. The package has received the highest category of bio-based certification from Vincotte, the internationally-recognised assessment body.

Brazilian chemical company, Braskem produces the bio-based plastics by sourcing all its feedstock from sugar cane grown on degraded pastures.

"Tetra Rex Bio-based offers customers a fully renewable package made from materials that can be traced back to their plant-based source.

"It's good for the environment, and it's excellent for communicating with consumers ... the product they actually hold in their hands is derived entirely from plants. The pack that grows back," added Brand.