COCA-COLA
Introduction of PET bottle containing plant-based polymer / Launch in Denmark ahead of North America / Fully recyclable
The Coca-Cola Company (Atlanta / USA; www.thecoca-colacompany.com) has started production of PET bottles containing up to 30% of polymer derived from sugar cane and molasses. The “PlantBottle” packaging is being used in selected markets throughout the world in a range of sizes and the company is aiming to produce two billion of the bottles by the end of 2010 (see also Plasteurope.com of 26.11.2009). PlantBottle PET bottles are 100% recyclable and preliminary research indicates that they have a smaller carbon footprint than bottles made from traditional PET.
“We are taking a major step along our sustainable packaging journey as The Coca-Cola Company becomes the first-to-market with a recyclable PET plastic bottle made partially from plants,” explained chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent. “From 'Coke' brands in Copenhagen to 'DASANI' water in the western United States, we are starting to roll out the first generation of the bottle of the future.”
Three products, “Coca-Cola”, “Coca-Cola Light” and “Coca-Cola Zero” are being sold in PlantBottle packaging throughout Denmark, in both 500ml and 2-litre sizes. Most bottles contain 50% recycled PET, 35% conventional virgin PET and 15% PET derived from plant-based materials. PlantBottles containing up to 30% PET derived from plants will shortly be manufactured in a range of sizes for a variety of products for markets in western Canada and the western US, commencing early December and January 2010, respectively. Future launches are planned in other markets, including Brazil, Japan and Mexico.
“The PlantBottle is precisely the kind of innovation that demonstrates how businesses can help address climate change and reduce stress on our precious natural resources,” commented Kate Krebs, director of sustainable resources at The Climate Group (London / UK; www.theclimategroup.org), the not-for-profit organisation working to accelerate the change to a low carbon economy.
The sugar cane and molasses being used for conversion to ethanol prior to production of PET are being sourced from Brazil, where third-parties have testified that best-in-class agriculture practices have been adopted. Ultimately, The Coca-Cola Company’s goal is to use non-food, plant-based waste such as wood chips or wheat stalks. According to the company’s director of sustainable packaging Scott Vitters, “Our vision is to continue innovating to achieve a bottle that is made with 100% plant waste material while remaining completely recyclable.”
“We are taking a major step along our sustainable packaging journey as The Coca-Cola Company becomes the first-to-market with a recyclable PET plastic bottle made partially from plants,” explained chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent. “From 'Coke' brands in Copenhagen to 'DASANI' water in the western United States, we are starting to roll out the first generation of the bottle of the future.”
Three products, “Coca-Cola”, “Coca-Cola Light” and “Coca-Cola Zero” are being sold in PlantBottle packaging throughout Denmark, in both 500ml and 2-litre sizes. Most bottles contain 50% recycled PET, 35% conventional virgin PET and 15% PET derived from plant-based materials. PlantBottles containing up to 30% PET derived from plants will shortly be manufactured in a range of sizes for a variety of products for markets in western Canada and the western US, commencing early December and January 2010, respectively. Future launches are planned in other markets, including Brazil, Japan and Mexico.
“The PlantBottle is precisely the kind of innovation that demonstrates how businesses can help address climate change and reduce stress on our precious natural resources,” commented Kate Krebs, director of sustainable resources at The Climate Group (London / UK; www.theclimategroup.org), the not-for-profit organisation working to accelerate the change to a low carbon economy.
The sugar cane and molasses being used for conversion to ethanol prior to production of PET are being sourced from Brazil, where third-parties have testified that best-in-class agriculture practices have been adopted. Ultimately, The Coca-Cola Company’s goal is to use non-food, plant-based waste such as wood chips or wheat stalks. According to the company’s director of sustainable packaging Scott Vitters, “Our vision is to continue innovating to achieve a bottle that is made with 100% plant waste material while remaining completely recyclable.”
27.11.2009 Plasteurope.com [214927]
Published on 27.11.2009