Berry Global and Neue Water create flat rPET bottle for “on-the-go” lifestyles

23 Aug 2023 --- Berry Global has created a 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottle for the luxury artesian mineral water brand Neue Water.

The bottle has been made for “today’s modern, on-the-go lifestyle” with an ergonomic flat shape, enabling easy pocket fit and facilitated bag and seatback storage for public transport. 

Berry says the bottle’s construction makes it suitable for refilling for multiple uses while being able to be recycled at its end of life. The 100% recycled content claim only applies to the bottle, not the cap.

“In launching Neue Water, we are improving the carbon impact of the historical packaging materials for mineral waters. Our water allows consumers to hydrate consciously on the go with a bottle that uses no new plastic and is recyclable. In this way, we are championing the move to a more circular economy,” says Michael Lowers, founder of Neue Water.

“The case for using 100% rPET for our bottles is incontrovertible. We needed a company like Berry with the skills and determination to make it happen. Together, we produced a functional and stylish bottle that perfectly matches today’s lifestyle in terms of both its convenience and sustainability.”

Creating a flat bottle
The packaging manufacturer used its technical expertise and experience in using recycled plastic to conceive the original design concept from Neue Water’s founder.

Neue Water uses art prints by Berlin-based artists.The flat shape challenged traditional PET bottle manufacture’s injection stretch blow molding process. Berry adapted the technology to accommodate the new design.

“Bringing the bottle design concept to life was not easy, but the team at Berry rose to the challenge and have been hugely supportive throughout the project. The result is brilliant – a fantastic-looking bottle that perfectly combines style with sustainability,” asserts Lowers.

The inaugural collection of the bottles features six vibrant one-of-a-kind prints by Berlin-based artist Studio Raaad. The art is showcased using an uninterrupted convex window on one side that magnifies the label area. The artwork will continue to change around the fashion seasons.

Neue Water is drawn from one of only two artesian wells in Denmark, renowned for its soft, rounded flavor. The water is bottled “meters away” from the source, which the company says enables a low-impact production.

“The success of this project ideally demonstrates why collaboration is so critical. The Neue water bottle is the perfect example of how we can achieve sustainable packaging that still embraces all the long-established benefits of plastics,” concludes Joe Horton, product line director at Berry Agile Solutions.

Recycling innovation
Berry Global recently won Sika Corporation’s first North American Sustainable Packaging Challenge. Berry’s customer, Sika, hosted a call for sustainable packaging solutions among suppliers.

Berry Global took top marks out of a group of 20 suppliers for its proposal of a fully recyclable five-gallon pail with 30% PCR resin featuring in-mold label decoration. By making the switch, the proposed solution saves 221 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.

Additionally, Berry Global is integrating its M&H and PET Power businesses into a Europe-wide operation, Berry Agile Solutions. The portfolio will offer short lead times and enable low minimum order quantities to give customers fast access to company solutions.

The Berry Agile Solutions’ portfolio will also include products from Berry’s B Circular range, which feature enhancements such as recycled content, monomaterial packaging and designs for refill and reuse to help brand owners meet their environmental sustainability goals.

Edited by Sabine Waldeck