- New cartons use 80% less plastic than plastic milk bottles
- Carton is 100% recyclable and ISCC (International Sustainability & Carton Certification) certified
- Research shows over 2/3 of UK milk drinkers would prefer to buy fresh milk in a carton
- Move comes as Crediton Dairy Ltd announced as new supply partner to fuel growth
- UK plans follow global success and The a2 Milk Company™ being named one of Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food by Fast Company Magazine
The a2 Milk Company™ has begun selling its fresh milk brand in cartons in its UK business. The new 1 litre packs, launching in all major grocery retailers, is 100% recyclable, using FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified pulp and is ISCC (International Sustainability & Carton Certification) certified (FSC licence code: FSC®N002865).
The introduction of the cartons follows a significant development for The a2 Milk Company business in the UK – a new supply relationship with Crediton Dairy Ltd to fuel further growth in the UK.
The a2 Milk Company is a rapidly expanding global dairy nutritionals business based on the unique A2 protein type proposition. Crediton Dairy is a successful supplier of flavoured and functional chilled and long life milks and creams to the UK retail trade. Crediton Dairy will be The a2 Milk Company’s exclusive supplier of fresh milk products for the UK market.
New cartons reflect desire for solutions to plastic challenge
The launch by a2 Milk™ UK into milk cartons coincides with growing demand for solutions to the plastic packaging problem. Research[1] shows that UK consumers would switch to buying their fresh milk in a carton if they knew it was more sustainable. Out of those who drink milk, over 2/3 (69%) would rather buy fresh milk in a carton as opposed to a plastic bottle and almost 8/10 (78%) in the UK think that cartons are more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles.
These findings follow a poll[2] earlier in the year which highlighted the level of consumer concern in the UK about plastic – a quarter (25%) expressed ‘extreme concern’ about plastic and 21% said the industry should go even further and opt for entirely plastic-free packaging.
The new a2 Milk™ carton carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label, certifying that the carton is made with pulp from FSC-certified forests, and/or recycled sources. The small amount of plastic still needed to make the board water tight is recyclable in the UK.
The a2 Milk Company’s growth in the UK, reflects its significant success globally. In Australia a2 Milk™ has ~10% value share[3] of the fresh milk market in grocery. More recently a2 Milk™ has launched in the USA and now has distribution coast to coast in over 6,000 stores. In China, The a2 Milk Company’s infant formula brand – a2 Platinum® – has achieved significant levels of market penetration, achieving over 5% consumption share[4] in the lucrative infant nutrition category. The a2 Milk Company was also named one of 2018’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food by US-based business magazine Fast Company[5].
Natural a2 Milk™ comes from selected cows that produce milk containing only the A2 beta casein protein type[6], and is free from the A1 protein type present in conventional milk in most of our fridges.
Simon Hennessy, General Manager, International Development of The a2 Milk Company™ said:
“The a2 Milk Company has always been a pioneer and the introduction of our new sustainable cartons in the UK market is is another first.”
Tim Smiddy, Managing Director, Crediton Dairy Limited, commenting on the partnership said:
“We are delighted to have entered this new supply partnership with The a2 Milk Company™ and look forward to helping it achieve its goals and diversify into new product areas and opportunities.”
[1] Research undertaken by Opinium between 17-20.7.18 on over 2000 nationally representative UK adults 18+
[2] Kantar World Panel February 2018
[3]Aztec Australian Grocery and Pharmacy Scan value share 12 months ending 30/06/18
[4] Kantar Infant Formula market tracking of Tier 1 and Key A cities for 12 months ending June 2018 by value (Kantar track a substantial proportion of the total market)
[5] https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2018/sectors/food
[6]A1 and A2 proteins refer to A1 and A2 beta-casein protein types
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