Greiner Packaging and Swiss processors in circular economy push
In a major move to tackle plastic waste and establish a closed loop for difficult-to-recycle materials, Greiner Packaging has announced a pioneering collaboration with leading Swiss dairy processors, including Emmi Group and Elsa Group.
Starting in the first quarter of 2026, Greiner will begin producing dairy cups featuring mechanically recycled polystyrene (r-PS) content for the Swiss market at its Diepoldsau site.
The initiative, which centres on gradually converting the entire range of the highly popular K3 multipack yogurt cups, sets a new benchmark for sustainable packaging in Switzerland and represents a significant victory for the principle of the circular economy.
The core ambition of the collaboration is to replace a substantial share of virgin polystyrene (PS) with recycled material, leading to an estimated 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to previous K3 multipack cups made of pure PS.
“With the introduction of K3 cups containing r-PS, we are setting a milestone for sustainable packaging in Switzerland,” said Tobias Strasser, managing director of Greiner Packaging Switzerland. “We are proud to close the polystyrene loop together with strong partners while still meeting the high standards of product safety and quality.”
The use of recycled PS (r-PS) is particularly crucial as polystyrene has historically lagged behind materials like PET in establishing reliable, food-grade recycling streams. This project utilises mechanically recycled polystyrene sourced from Germany.
The technological backbone of this innovation is the use of the ABA principle in film production. This layered approach ensures that product safety and quality are entirely uncompromised, allowing for sustainable consumption without requiring any behavioural changes from consumers.
The cup wall is constructed with three distinct layers: outer and inner layers (A): made from virgin PS material, these layers maintain direct food contact safety and structural integrity; and a middle layer (B): This layer is composed of the mechanically recycled PS—material collected, cleaned, shredded, and reused—allowing for a significant proportion of recycled content.
This method successfully addresses the stringent food safety requirements for dairy products while maximising the incorporation of recycled content.
Greiner Packaging is not undertaking this transformation alone. The success of the project hinges on the strong partnership with major Swiss dairy manufacturers, including Elsa Group and Emmi Group. The collaboration emphasizes a shared goal: a more sustainable packaging future anchored by local solutions.
Marc Heim, head of Switzerland Division at Emmi Group, underscored the commitment: “As a traditional Swiss company, we take responsibility and continuously make our packaging more sustainable. Our yogurt cup now contains a recycled material share, making an important contribution to promoting the circular economy.”
Matthew Robin, CEO of Elsa Group, echoed this sentiment, noting the broader significance for the sector. “We see the introduction of r-PS in K3 cups as a great opportunity for the entire industry. By exploring new paths together, we not only contribute to climate protection but also create solutions that are easy for consumers to understand and implement.”
The packaging format chosen, the K3 cup, is already an established champion of eco-friendly design. The K3 cup is a carton-wrapped plastic cup where the carton layer — often made from recycled cardboard — significantly reduces the plastic content.
The K3 design enables consumers to easily separate the plastic cup from the cardboard wrap after use, allowing both components to be disposed of and recycled within their respective streams. The integration of r-PS into the plastic component further enhances the circularity credentials of the entire packaging solution, creating a pioneering Swiss solution that combines technological innovation, effective material use, and close collaboration across the supply chain.
