Pringles launches a new ‘designed for recycling’ paper-based tube

Together with Sonoco, Kellanova Europe has redesigned its Pringles packaging to make it widely recyclable by replacing the metal bottom with a paper fibre-based bottom.

Earlier this year, Kellanova Europe’s Belgian engineering and R&D teams announced the official launch of the new ‘designed for recycling’ Pringles tube and introduced the new paper sealing technology on production lines in Mechelen Belgium. These specially designed machines once fully operational across all production lines will be able to produce more than 1 billion perfectly sealed recyclable Pringles tubes per year.

The original Pringles tube, which many households are familiar with, is iconic and “has been a defining feature of the product since it was launched in 1967 in the USA”, says Kellanova.

The new paper-based tube retains the brand’s iconic cylindrical shape – enabling the crisps to remain stacked, while also protecting them and preserving the flavour. Consumers can also reclose the tubes with the recyclable plastic lid to keep the crisps fresh after opening.  

Most importantly, the new paper-based tube takes into account “Circularity by Design” guidelines from the European fibre-based packaging value chain, the 4Evergreen alliance, and obtains a good recyclability score for its suitability for recycling in standard paper mills under 4evergreen’s Recyclability Evaluation Protocol. The tubes are accepted in recycling streams across Europe, as the new paper end makes it easier to recycle for paper recyclers.

Seàn Cairns, President – Global Rigid Paper and Closures (RPC) at Sonoco, worked with both companies’ technical teams, to develop the new ‘designed for recycling’ Pringles tube.  He notes that consumers are more aware than ever of how their purchasing behaviours are impacting the environment. “With this in mind,” he says, “it’s important for businesses to stay ahead of the curve by exploring new packaging technologies and materials.”

Highlighting the importance of partnership in packaging design, he adds: “It was a pleasure working with Kellanova and we look forward to seeing how the new paper-based Pringles tube is received by the market and we hope the success of this project is an inspiration to other companies and brands.”

Sonoco has long been committed to increasing the paper content in its packaging to maximise its recyclability.  Sonoco has taken steps over the years to re-design its packaging and make it more sustainable. This process involved the company hugely investing in research and development to reduce or, where possible, completely remove the plastic and metal components of its packaging. 

The result of this is Sonoco’s successful, rigid paper packaging lines as part of the EnviroSense® family including EnviroCan®, GREENCAN® and EnviroStick™.  

The new Pringles paper-based recyclable tubes are available in the UK at Tesco and One Stop stores.

To learn more, visit Sonoco on stand R22 at Packaging Innovations 2024, NEC, Birmingham