Coca-Cola HBC opens new high-speed returnable glass bottling line in Austria

02 Oct 2023 --- Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) has invested €12 million (US$12.7 million) in a new high-speed returnable glass bottling line at its plant in Edelstal, Austria.

The investment was supported by a €4 million (US$4.2 million) grant from the Austrian government as part of its fund for beverage companies and retailers to enable a circular economy for packaging.

The new glass bottling line will produce 400 mL returnable and resealable glass bottles for the Austrian market. It is said to be more water and energy-efficient than previous lines and is a first across Coca-Cola HBC’s 29 markets.

The new line expands the range of returnable products in the Coca-Cola HBC portfolio to include Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in a 400 mL glass bottle for at-home and on-the-go consumption.

“Austria is already one of our fastest-growing markets for reusable packaging. This new line will further accelerate this packaging type, which is in demand by our customers and consumers alike. As returnable packaging options offer a reduced carbon footprint, this new line in Austria further supports our Net Zero by 2040 goal,” says Zoran Bogdanovic, Coca-Cola HBC’s CEO.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with the Austrian Government as we work together toward a common goal of a greener business model and a better environment.”

Coca-Cola HBC says that expanding returnable packaging helps customers meet retail returnable packaging quotas.Meeting returnable packaging quotas
Consumers can also buy Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta Orange and Sprite in 1-liter returnable glass bottles. The 1-liter bottle design for different sparkling soft drink brands helps simplify production and logistics and reduces the sorting and reverse logistics in the market, explains the soft drinks provider.

The expansion of returnable packaging is a response to growing consumer demand for returnable packaging solutions in Austria, where 62% of consumers value environmental sustainability when selecting products.

Coca-Cola HBC says that expanding returnable packaging also helps customers meet retail returnable packaging quotas, which are due to be introduced by 2024.

The company has reportedly reduced Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 30% in the last twelve years. Packaging accounts for 34% of Scope 3 emissions in Coca-Cola HBC’s total supply chain, so the company says it is a key component of its carbon emissions reduction pathway.

The investment is part of Coca-Cola HBC’s plan to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.

Last week, Coca-Cola announced its partnership with Swedish start-up Blue Ocean Closures to test the applicability of fiber-based closures to soft drinks.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim

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