From the first quarter of 2026, Greiner Packaging will be producing K3 cups with a proportion of mechanically recycled polystyrene for the Swiss market for the first time at its Diepoldsau site.
According to the company, together with Swiss milk processors such as the Elsa Group and Emmi, all K3 multipack cups for yoghurt and other dairy products are to be gradually converted and CO2 emissions reduced by around ten per cent compared to previous polystyrene multipacks.
Greiner Packaging is investing in a new production facility in Diepoldsau, which will significantly reduce the use of virgin material and is specially designed for the use of recycled plastics. The conversion of the entire K3 Multipack range for Switzerland is scheduled for the first half of 2026.
Mechanically recycled polystyrene in ABA layer structure
At the heart of the new cup solution is a film structure based on the ABA principle. Layers of new polystyrene are used on the outside and inside, which are designed for product safety and food contact. The middle layer consists of mechanically recycled polystyrene, which is collected, cleaned, shredded and reprocessed into granulate in Germany. This allows a significant proportion of recycled material to be integrated without having to compromise on quality or food safety, according to the company.
„With the introduction of K3 cups with r-PS content, we are setting a milestone for sustainable packaging in Switzerland. We are proud to be working with strong partners to close the polystyrene cycle while at the same time fulfilling the high requirements for product safety and quality,“ said Tobias Strasser, Managing Director of Greiner Packaging Switzerland.
For consumers, the changeover should be noticeable above all in a lower carbon footprint; the handling and product properties of the cups remain the same, so that more sustainable consumption should be possible without a change in behaviour, according to the statement.
Swiss dairies as development partners
The new cup solution is being introduced in close cooperation with Swiss milk processors. According to the company, Emmi and the Elsa Group have been working with Greiner Packaging for some time on the implementation of the r-PS solution for the domestic market.
K3 cup as a platform for more recycling
The K3 cup combines a thin plastic inner layer with a cardboard sleeve, which is usually made from recycled cardboard. The sleeve reduces the amount of plastic required and can be easily separated from the cup so that both material fractions can be disposed of and recycled separately. The integration of mechanically recycled polystyrene in the centre layer is intended to further reduce the use of virgin material.
According to Greiner Packaging, the CO2 emissions of a K3 multipack cup made of polystyrene can be reduced by around ten per cent thanks to the r-PS content.
Source: Greiner Packaging
