Mondelēz introduces paper trays across more than 115 European cookie products

Mondelēz International has replaced rigid PET plastic trays with FSC-certified paper alternatives across more than 115 products in its European cookies portfolio.

The packaging change covers eight brands – LU, Milka, Granola, Cadbury, Marabou, Chips Ahoy!, Lacta and Freia – and is being introduced across more than 25 European markets, including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the Nordic countries.

According to the company, the products affected by the transition account for approximately 28,000 tonnes of cookies produced each year.

Replacing the previous PET trays is expected to eliminate around 2,200 tonnes of virgin plastic annually. Mondelēz estimates this represents an approximately 80% reduction in virgin plastic compared with the original packaging.

Information about the reduction in plastic will also be communicated on the affected packs.

The rollout follows several other packaging changes introduced by Mondelēz in the UK. In 2025, the company trialled paper tubs for Cadbury Heroes, while paper outer packaging has also been introduced for Cadbury Animals and Mini Fingers biscuit multipacks.

This is a transformation we are proud to have engineered from the ground up. Replacing rigid plastic with paper across 115 products, 8 brands and 25 European markets in a matter of months required rethinking every layer of our packaging – from tray design to logistics. The result speaks for itself: ~2,200 tons of virgin plastic per year, representing ~80% reduction. As packaging professionals, this is exactly the kind of bold, systemic change we exist to deliver.

Olivier Kintzig, Biscuits Packaging Director, Europe, Mondelēz International.

The latest change forms part of a wider programme to modify the use of plastic trays within Mondelēz's bakery portfolio.

Previous packaging developments have included incorporating approximately 80% recycled PET into trays used for products sold under brands including Milka, Oreo, Cadbury and Chips Ahoy!.

The company has also introduced certified recycled content into flexible packaging. Cadbury Dairy Milk packaging containing 80% certified recycled plastic produced using advanced recycling technology is among the examples cited by Mondelēz.

Mondelēz described the paper tray rollout as its largest single packaging sustainability initiative to date within its European bakery category.