Paper-based bottles for alcoholic beverages
On July 9, 2020, Frugalpack “revealed a wine bottle made from 94% recycled paperboard that is apparently comparable in cost to a labeled glass bottle,” according to an article in Packaging Europe. A life cycle analysis performed by Intertek calculated that “moving to the Frugal Bottle can allow wine producers to cut the carbon footprint of each bottle by up to 84% and reduce emissions from transporting bottles, as the product can be made and filled on site.” It is said that “the new [product] design . . . can also be used for spirits.” To recycle, “consumers can simply separate the plastic food-grade liner from the paper bottle and put them in their respective recycling bins,” the company says.
On July 13, 2020, according to an article in Packaging Europe, spirit producer Diageo announced the creation of “what it describes as the world’s first-ever 100% plastic-free paper-based spirits bottle” (FPF reported). The bottle, created as a single mold using Pulpex Limited’s technology, is reported to be “made from sustainably sourced pulp to meet food-safety standards and is expected to be fully recyclable in standard waste streams.” It is expected to “debut with Johnnie Walker in early 2021.” An article published on August 11, 2020, informed that Diageo is “celebrating the conclusion of its 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Goals.” The company is reported to have reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by “over a third (33.7%) across its total value chain.” Furthermore, “over 99.5% of the company’s packaging is now recyclable, and its packs contain an average of 45% recycled content.”
Solutions for better recyclability
An article in Packaging Europe published on August 5, 2020, informed about the new SimpliCycle recyclable valve technology announced by Aptar Food + Beverage. The new valve “offers recyclability while reportedly still maintaining all of the same advantages of Aptar’s standard and Swimming Silicone valves, including high repeatable performance and slit versatility to fit a variety of applications for food, beverage, and other product applications.” The product is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. TPE has a low density and therefore “allows the valve to float, so it can be separated from the PET [(polyethylene terephthalate)] stream, and then ultimately recycled within the PP/PE [(polypropylene/polyethylene)] olefin stream.”
AR Packaging has developed a plastic-free cartonboard packaging solution called Safeboard, that is “now used by Bel Group for its Boursin cheese range.” An article by Packaging Europe published on July 7, 2020, reported that the new packaging does not use PE coating and is therefore “repulpable and compostable,” but still offers “tailored barriers to moisture, grease, and aroma.”
On August 11, 2020, Coca-Cola European Partners introduced CanCollar, a new packaging solution for multipack cans, as covered in articles by Packaging Europe, Beverage Daily, Packaging Technology and others. CanCollar is made of paperboard without use of glue or adhesives and is recyclable. The new packaging is planned to be first launched in Spain in November 2020. Joe Franses, vice president of sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners, is quoted to say that “by the end of 2020, we will have removed more than 4’000 tonnes of hard to recycle plastic from our secondary packaging in Western Europe.”
Recycled plastics in food and beverage packaging
On July 9, 2020, “Danone’s Evian brand has revealed a new [400 ml] bottle for its mineral water that is label-free, made from 100% recycled PET (apart from the cap), and reportedly fully recyclable,” according to an article in Packaging Europe. Evian’s staff said that the new bottle “act[s] as tangible proof of our commitment to becoming a fully circular brand by 2025” and pointed out that “our revolution makes old plastic the ultimate new innovation.”
An article by Packaging Europe, published on August 12, 2020, informed that “Unilever’s ice cream brand Magnum has today announced the rollout of more than 7 million recyclable ice cream tubs made with recycled polypropylene (rPP), following a successful pilot launch in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands last year.” The article explains that “traditional mechanical recycling . . . is not suitable for food contact packaging.” Therefore, Unilever collaborated with SABIC to develop an “innovative recycling process” reported to transform “the plastic waste into a resin with . . . the same characteristics as virgin food-grade resin.” Furthermore, this new technology is said to allow Unilever “to recycle low quality, mixed plastic waste that would otherwise most likely be destined for incineration or landfill.”
Read more
Packaging Europe (July 7, 2020). “AR Packaging helps Bel Group remove plastic from cartonboard packaging.”
Packaging Europe (July 9, 2020). “Frugalpac launches wine bottle made from 94% recycled paperboard.”
Packaging Europe (July 9, 2020). “Evian introduces label-free bottle made from 100% rPET.”
Packaging Europe (July 13, 2020). “Diageo announces creation of ‘world’s first’ 100% plastic-free paper-based spirits bottle.”
Packaging Europe (August 5, 2020). “Aptar launches SimpliCycle TPE valve solution.”
Packaging Europe (August 11, 2020). “Diageo issues major update on sustainability goals.”
Packaging Europe (August 11, 2020). “Coca-Cola reveals recyclable paperboard-based rings for multipack cans.”
Rachel Arthur (August 11, 2020). “Coca-Cola introduces recyclable paperboard-based rings on can multipacks.” Beverage Daily
Packaging Technology (August 12, 2020). “Coca-Cola European Partners delivers a first in Europe through the introduction of CanCollar technology.”
Packaging Technology (August 13, 2020). “Coca-Cola European Partners introduces CanCollar innovative paperboard packaging solution for multipack cans in Spain.”
Packaging Technology (August 12, 2020). “Magnum launches new tubs made with recycled plastic.”
Sustainable Plastics (August 14, 2020). “Ice cream tubs containing recycled plastics hit the market.”
