Alter Eco produces chocolate using carefully selected organic cacao, sourced through fair and transparent supply chains. Grown by small scale farms organised in cooperatives, the cacao reflects the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing and product integrity. As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Alter Eco identified packaging as an area for improvement. The company set out to redesign the packaging across its three 200 gram chocolate bar variants, available on the French market. One of the brand’s main objectives was to reduce packaging weight by replacing the existing cardboard sleeve and inner aluminium foil wrap, while preserving the premium look and feel consumers associate with the products.
Working closely with Alter Eco and Halba, a Swiss chocolate specialist and experienced co-packer, Amcor supported the transition to AmFiber Performance Paper, a paper based and recyclable packaging solution. The Alter Eco design combines a natural kraft look with a matte finish, reinforcing the product’s authentic shelf presence. One stock keeping unit containing almonds added complexity, as the new packaging needed to maintain a smooth, high quality appearance despite the product’s textured surface, which was successfully achieved with AmFiber Performance Paper. At the same time, the new packaging delivers high barrier performance, providing effective protection against water vapour and grease.
The redesigned packaging using AmFiber Performance Paper achieves up to 61% weight reduction compared with the previous pack and can be recycled in the paper stream in France. The fibre used in the solution is FSC certified, ensuring it is sourced from responsibly managed forests, and the packaging aligns with CEPI and 4evergreen guidelines.
‘This project illustrates our commitment to innovation, combining reduced environmental impact with uncompromising quality. Designing a thinner packaging that still protects the chocolate and preserves its organoleptic qualities is a true technical challenge and a major step forward,’ said Anne Descarsin, research and development pack manager for Alter Eco.
Janice Narainsamy, senior product development engineer at Amcor, added: ‘Paper based packaging combines strong shelf appeal with a well established perception of sustainability. With the right barrier performance, it can also deliver the protection needed for demanding applications like chocolate. Alter Eco’s transition to AmFiber Performance Paper demonstrates this in a real market context, delivering a significant reduction in packaging weight.’