Tetra Pak has partnered with Spanish seafood producer Jealsa to introduce what the companies describe as the industry’s first carton packaging solution for shelf-stable tuna, offering food brands a paper-based alternative to traditional metal cans.

The new product, packaged in Tetra Recart®, has launched in Sweden through retailer Axfood in a 200 ml format and will be made available to food manufacturers globally.

Paper-Based Alternative Targets Growing Tuna Market

The launch comes as demand for shelf-stable tuna continues to expand worldwide. According to Tetra Pak, the global market is expected to grow by approximately 12% to 12.4 billion units by 2030, driven by consumer demand for affordable, convenient and long-lasting protein products.

Tetra Recart has already been used for a variety of ambient food products, including soups, beans, vegetables and tomato products. The addition of tuna expands the carton format into one of the seafood industry’s most established packaging categories.

Initially, the packaging supports products including tuna flakes, shredded tuna, spreads and chunks, with additional product formats expected in the future.

Designed to Differentiate Brands

Tetra Pak says the rectangular carton offers food producers new branding opportunities compared with conventional round metal cans.

The larger printable surfaces allow more space for product information and marketing messages, while the carton shape improves shelf visibility and enables more efficient product stacking during retail display.

Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President of Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak, said the new packaging provides producers with a paper-based alternative that supports scalable production while helping brands modernize their product portfolios.

Jealsa President Jesús M. Alonso Escurís added that the company has already seen positive market interest and expects demand for more convenient and sustainable packaging formats to continue growing.

Consumer Research Shows Strong Interest

According to consumer research cited by Tetra Pak:

• More than 80% of consumers said they would consider purchasing tuna packaged in Tetra Recart.
• 58% preferred the carton format over existing tuna packaging options.

The companies believe the format combines convenience with easier handling and storage compared with traditional metal packaging.

Focus on Environmental Performance

Alongside product differentiation, sustainability is a key focus of the new packaging.

According to Tetra Pak, Tetra Recart delivers:

• Up to 85% lower carbon footprint than steel cans
• Up to 83% lower carbon footprint than glass jars
• Up to 71% FSC™-certified paper sourced from responsibly managed forests

The company estimates that large-scale adoption could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 21,000 tonnes of CO₂ per one million cans compared with conventional packaging.

Expanding Commercial Availability

Jealsa plans to introduce the new packaging across several of its own seafood brands, including Rianxeira, Mare Aperto, and Robinson Crusoe, while also manufacturing products for third-party brands.

As food producers continue exploring alternatives to conventional packaging, the launch marks another step in the wider adoption of paper-based solutions for ambient food categories traditionally dominated by metal cans.

With growing consumer interest in sustainable packaging and convenient protein products, Tetra Pak expects the new Tetra Recart format to provide seafood brands with an additional option to differentiate products while supporting changing environmental and retail requirements.

Last Updated on 28/07/2026 by Jota Machinery