One of China’s oldest food companies, Shou Quan Zhai (SQZ), is expanding into the beverage market with a new line of non-dairy beverages available in lightweight flexible packages from Sweden-based packaging innovators Ecolean.

SQZ
SQZ is expanding into the beverage market with lightweight flexible packages from Sweden-based packaging innovators Ecolean
SQZ is expanding into the beverage market with lightweight flexible packages from Sweden-based packaging innovators Ecolean
SQZ is developing, manufacturing and selling herbal beverages specialising in ginger tea products which will be available in the 200ml Ecolean Air Aseptic packages from 20 February.
Oriental environmental
The company has a long-term view of its work in the sustainability field and is thereby committed to technological innovations to provide user experience alongside environmental action.
SQZ chose Helsingborg-based Ecolean for its unique packaging characteristics and low environmental impact. Ecolean packages:
- are lightweight,
- contain up to 35 per cent chalk,
- use fewer raw materials, saving energy during production and transport, and
- can be completely flattened, minimising waste.
Lin Lei, SQZ Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs, said: “With a 259-year history, SQZ respects the environment for generations now and in the future. Ecolean’s advanced packaging technology from Sweden has a minimum impact on the environment, is easy to recognise on the store shelf and is convenient for consumers to use.”
Ready-to-fill packages are sterilised using electron beam treatment, hermetically sealed and distributed on reels from Ecolean plants, bringing a considerable part of the complex sterilisation process from the liquid food producer back to Ecolean.
SQZ chose the Ecolean aseptic filling machine EL4+ for its operations. As for all Ecolean filling machines, it follows the philosophy of keeping it simple by providing a reliable, economical and lean operation. It is easily operated and maintained by SQZ personnel.
Ecolean’s Asia North and Oceania Regional Director, Johnny Sajland, said: “The new ready-to-drink beverages from SQZ represent the first non-dairy beverages in Ecolean packages in the Chinese market. We are excited to work with SQZ to bring new innovation and products to the more than 1.4 billion population in China, both now and in the future.”