#Japan #Tetra Pak #Gotemba #Jealsa #Tuna Products

Tetra Pak's Groundbreaking Move in Sustainable Packaging

On June 17, 2026, Tetra Pak, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, officially launched the world's first paper-based packaging for shelf-stable tuna products. This innovative solution is the culmination of a collaboration with Jealsa, a leading seafood manufacturer in Spain. The new packaging, designated as Tetra Recart®, was first introduced in May 2026 in Sweden through the retail giant Axfood, beginning with a 200ml Mini package. This will mark the beginning of a global rollout targeting food manufacturers and brands worldwide.

The Tetra Recart® packaging represents a fusion of Tetra Pak's advanced food packaging technology and the extensive expertise of Jealsa in producing high-quality seafood products. This shift towards paper containers offers food manufacturers within the well-established tuna category a fresh opportunity for differentiation.

The global market for shelf-stable tuna products is expected to grow approximately 12% by 2030, driven by increasing demand for affordable, versatile, and long-lasting protein sources, potentially reaching 12.4 billion units.

Enhanced Packaging Solutions for Brands

The introduction of Tetra Recart® provides brands with a cost-effective and scalable packaging solution, catering to various types of shelf-stable tuna products, including spreads, flakes, shreds, and chunks. This innovative approach will continue to evolve, reflecting market demands and trends in consumer needs.

Statements from Key Stakeholders
Tatiana Rissetti, Executive Vice President of Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak, stated, "This is a genuine packaging innovation in the tuna products category, which has seen little change over the years. The introduction of Tetra Recart® allows food manufacturers to differentiate their products on retail shelves, thus supporting market share maintenance and expansion."

Jesús M. Alonso Escribs, President of Jealsa, remarked, "With 68 years of expertise in shelf-stable seafood, our partnership with Tetra Pak marks a new standard for the industry. Our innovation combines their packaging technology and our commitment to high-quality seafood, offering new value to the market."

Advantages of Tetra Recart®

The Tetra Recart® containers are noted for their user-friendly design, allowing for easy handling and space-efficient storage. Consumer surveys indicate substantial interest, with over 80% expressing a desire to purchase tuna products packaged in Tetra Recart®, while 58% prefer this new packaging over traditional options.

Moreover, Tetra Recart® showcases significant environmental benefits. It boasts the lowest carbon footprint among similar packaging materials, with CO₂ emissions reduced by 85% compared to steel cans and 83% compared to glass jars. This translates to a carbon reduction equivalent to approximately 21,000 tons when assessed at a production scale of one million units. Additionally, up to 71% of the materials used are certified by FSC™, sourced from sustainably managed forests.

A New Era for Tuna Products

Traditionally dominated by round cans, the tuna product category is set for a revolution with Tetra Recart®’s distinctive shape improving visibility on store shelves. The expansive flat printing surface enables more effective branding and product information display. Furthermore, its compact design allows for optimized shelf space utilization.

As Sweden's successful launch demonstrates, the collaboration between Tetra Pak and Jealsa is ushering in transformative changes within a long-standing product category, addressing evolving consumer demands. Jealsa plans to expand the Tetra Recart® range beyond its own brands—Rianxeira, Mare Aperto, and Robinson Crusoe—to include additional products catering to third-party brands.

With a rising need for convenient sources of protein, particularly in the realm of shelf-stable tuna products, Tetra Pak's innovative solution aligns perfectly with ongoing market evolution. This dynamic change not only offers alternative packaging options but also supports the sustainable advancement of food systems.

Development and Testing in Japan

Japanese Tetra Pak’s Gotemba Technical Center offers facilities for testing Tetra Recart® products. This allows swift evaluations of product quality and development potential when transitioning to this innovative packaging from traditional options.

About Jealsa

Founded in 1958 by Jesús Alonso Fernández, Jealsa is a family-owned company specializing in canned tuna and seafood, solidifying its position as one of the world's leading food manufacturers over 68 years. The company continues to thrive through innovation and diversification across its food production, resource efficiency, and energy sectors.

For more details, visit our official websites.