Packaging manufacturer ALPLA and Austrian micronutrient company BIOGENA have partnered to develop a recyclable packaging can made from bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE), using sugar cane processing waste as the raw material.
The new packaging, known as the “eco-can,” uses residual plant materials from sugar production. These by-products are fermented into bioethanol and processed into bio-PE, which serves as an alternative to fossil-based plastics.
Production takes place at ALPLA’s facility in Fußach, Austria. The final product is a fully recyclable can, designed to meet functional and environmental requirements. According to ALPLA, the eco-can saves approximately 274 tonnes of CO₂ per year—comparable to the emissions from driving 1.9 million kilometres or the annual carbon sequestration of 30 football fields of forest.
Caroline Mayr, Head of Quality Management at BIOGENA, stated: “We wanted packaging that not only looks good, but also has a measurable positive impact on the climate and the environment.”
The partnership prioritised transport efficiency and product protection from environmental factors like light and moisture. The design, developed jointly by both companies, also features an optimised closure system.
Dr Karl Hagspiel, Senior Circular Economy Expert at ALPLA, noted: “The example of bio-PE from sugar cane residues shows that plastic offers excellent recycling solutions in the packaging sector when it is considered in a circular economy.”
BIOGENA and ALPLA highlight the project as a demonstration of how manufacturers and brands can jointly advance sustainable packaging practices through material innovation and strategic collaboration.