Swiss company SIG plans to launch its new technology for producing aluminum-free beverage containers in Egypt, in collaboration with its partners, soon, Abdelghani Aladeeb, President and General Manager of the company in India, the Middle East, and Africa told “Food & Climate” platform.
Aladeeb’s statements came on the sidelines of a conference held today, Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Cairo. At the conference, the company, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Plastic Bank, Carta Misr, and Tile Green, announced the launch of Egypt’s first integrated operating system for recycling aseptic beverage cartons.
The project, branded “Green Jobs from a Book,” is the result of several years of efforts aimed at transforming the packaging industry in Egypt through an integrated recycling system. From community-level waste collection to fiber extraction and reuse of polyaluminum (poly Al), the project focuses on creating “green jobs,” promoting the circular economy, and paving the way for the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle.
The project is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), representing the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, through the “Devlo PPP” program, funded by BMZ, and the “Invest for Jobs” initiative.
The project aims to collect more than 700 metric tons of used beverage containers over three years and improve the livelihoods of more than 1,000 local waste collectors.
Aluminum-free beverage containers protect for 12 months
Abdulghani Abdelghani Aladeeb, President and General Manager of the Swiss company SIG in India, the Middle East, and Africa, said that his company’s new technology for producing aluminum-free beverage containers ensures beverages can be stored for 12 months, similar to aluminum containers, while also preserving the beverage’s nutritional value.
In response to questions from the “Food & Climate” platform on the sidelines of the conference, he explained that his company has replaced aluminum with a group of plastics that perform the functions of aluminum. At the same time, it’s more sustainable.
Although Aladeeb declined to specify the types of plastics “to maintain the confidentiality of the product in which the company holds the lead,” he noted that eliminating aluminum reduces carbon emissions from beverage container production by 25%, “as aluminum causes high emissions in containers.”
Aluminum-free beverage containers also make recycling easier, according to Aladeeb.
Aladeeb reviewed the journey before the introduction of aluminum-free beverage container technology, saying: “The role of aluminum in beverage containers is very important, as it insulates the beverage from sunlight. Therefore, it was impossible to dispense with it. However, our company has been working on this for many years, and we launched a product in the European market called EcoPlus in 2010. However, the shelf life was shorter. However, we recently developed aluminum-free beverage containers that preserve beverages for the normal 12-month shelf life of containers.”
Juhayna and Beyti
The Swiss company SIG selected Juhayna and Beyti, a subsidiary of Almarai in Egypt, to participate in implementing the first integrated operating system in Egypt for recycling aseptic carton beverage containers, given that they are the largest companies In the market, according to Abdelghani Aladeeb, the company’s president and general manager for India, the Middle East, and Africa, in press statements on the sidelines of the conference.
Beyti representative, Ghada Fouad, said during a panel discussion at the conference that her company aims to achieve “zero waste” in the coming years. “Because leaders don’t wait for regulations or laws to take the initiative, Beyti began sustainability efforts 26 years ago, reducing waste by approximately 200 tons in 2022, an amount that represents 80% of the 2030 target, when we will achieve zero waste according to the company’s plan.”
Fouad explained that her company cooperates with Juhayna to raise consumer awareness, as without it, companies’ efforts in this regard will not succeed.
Juhayna representative, Hussein Almasry, also indicated that his company implements sustainability measures and is one of the producers whose procedures are most in line with European standards, having been working with these markets for two years.
He added that the company is working to reduce waste and is investing in research and development to ensure its contribution in the value chain, the product will not only be of high quality, but also sustainable.
Andreas Rupp, Head of the Business and Green Transformation Group at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ Egypt), said: “Imagine a world without waste, where every product lives multiple lives, and the product consumed today will be the product of tomorrow. This will create a better tomorrow, and we are doing this for people and society. I also want my two children to have a better future when they grow up.”