Amcor packages premium wine in recycled PET bottles for low-carbon circularity

17 Jul 2023 --- Amcor Rigid Packaging (ARP) and Ron Rubin Winery are launching “the first” premium wine packaged in a 750 mL bottle in the US made from 100% recycled PET (rPET) plastic, branded Blue Bin.

As PET-based wine bottles are light and shatterproof, consumers can travel with the bottles more conveniently.

Furthermore, glass bottles account for 30% of wine’s carbon footprint – reportedly the largest environmental impact across the product’s value chain. A wine bottle made from PET is 85% lighter than one made from glass and has one-third the GHG emissions, highlights Amcor.

Wine market transformation
Ron Rubin Winery conducted a two-year assessment of wine packaging to develop a premium wine for eco-conscious wine lovers. The Blue Bin bottles feature Plasmax technology, a thin glass layer preventing the wine from ever touching the rPET, protecting taste and quality.

“Plasmax is a thin, glass-like oxygen barrier on the inside of the bottle. This protective barrier holds the wine, while the PET bottle holds the shape,” says Jonathan Jarman, ARP’s marketing manager for spirits and wine.

“This is a transformational moment for the North American wine market, ushering in an era where the product’s sustainable packaging is valued and celebrated as deeply as the product itself. We are proud to work with Ron and his team to bring Blue Bin to customers across the country.”

Blue Bin is available in four varieties: Vin Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Recyclability revelations
Amcor recently conducted a survey of European consumers, revealing that recyclability is a “must-have” in the eyes of consumers.

The responses were collected from over 3,000 consumers in the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden and Poland. The research found that most (84%) European consumers actively seek recycling instructions on packaged products, while 60% say that recyclability instructions and sustainability logos positively influence their purchase decision.

At the same time, glass packaging experts at glass bottle manufacturer O-I and market researcher Innova Market Insights recently highlighted that glass packaging continues to showcase its reusable and endlessly recyclable attributes, making it an eco-friendly option that resonates with consumers and manufacturers.

“Glass containers are the only food contact material that is ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ by the US Food and Drug Administration. Glass provides UV protection and does not interact with the beverage or food inside,” an O-I spokesperson told Packaging Insights.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim

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