The new aseptic carton pack can be heated in a microwave, either in a vending machine, store, café, home or office.

‘Heat&Go’ offers protection to beverage products, and can be produced on existing SIG filling machines with a simple, one-time upgrade to enable it to run standard and aluminium-free material structures.

By replacing the aluminium foil with a high-barrier film and a light blocking pigment, the new pack protects the product from oxygen ingress, flavour migration, light and water, and is perfectly suited for still drinks and low viscosity, sensitive, enhanced juice and liquid dairy beverages.

According to research by GlobalData in 50 countries, demand for hot drinks is likely to increase by 15% in value, and by 22% in volume between 2014-2019. SIG’s own research in China revealed that 72% of consumers are dissatisfied with current heating methods for on-the-go products and are looking for new methods of fast and convenient heating with their increasingly cash-rich and time-starved lifestyles.

Ali Kaylan, vice president of global marketing at SIG, said: “Our new high-barrier aseptic carton ‘Heat&Go’ can be heated in the microwave up to 60oC, with a recommended temperature of 50c, by allowing brands and co-packers to launch innovative nutritional hot beverage products into new channels and categories.”