Diageo, Encirc and Glass Futures produce most carbon-efficient glass Scotch whisky bottles ever

09 Apr 2021 --- Diageo is revealing its involvement in a successful pilot project to pioneer the lowest carbon footprint glass bottles “ever produced” for a Scotch whisky brand. 

The distiller’s collaboration with glass manufacturer Encirc and industry research and technology body Glass Futures used waste-based biofuel-powered furnaces to reduce the bottle-making process’ carbon footprint by up to 90 percent.

Diageo used its Black & White Scotch whisky brand for the trial, famous for its label featuring a West Highland terrier and a Scotty dog, and popular in key global export markets.

Circular economy glass
The trial produced 173,000 Black & White bottles using 100 percent recycled glass, making the batch the most eco-friendly “ever produced” for a Scotch whisky brand.

Diageo says further work needs to be done to develop and scale the trial for future production. However, the progress represents a significant step forward in Diageo’s drive to transform its grain-to-glass supply chain’s environmental sustainability .

Last year, PackagingInsights reported on Encirc and Glass Futures’ landmark project to create “the world’s most sustainable glass bottle.”

In 2021, Encirc’s Derrylin plant in Northern Ireland began pioneering bio-fuel on one of its furnaces, paving the way for an industry-wide reduction in carbon emissions.

A 10-year partnership
Diageo has supported Glass Futures from concept. Following the trial’s success, the distiller has agreed a 10-year partnership to accelerate collaboration and innovation in the glass industry.

Click to EnlargeThe trial produced 173,000 Black & White bottles using 100 percent recycled glass.“We are committed to creating a sustainable future for our business and that includes looking for innovative new ways to make our bottles and packaging that reduces the carbon footprint of our products,” comments John Aird, senior packaging technologist at Diageo.

“This trial is just a first step in the journey to decarbonize this aspect of our supply chain and we still have a long way to go, but we are delighted with the results of the collaboration and the platform it creates for future innovation.”

“We see Glass Futures as a great opportunity to develop new technology and to help deliver net-zero glass manufacturing and we are delighted to support them in that mission.”

Adrian Curry, managing director at Encirc, adds: “This is a truly momentous occasion for glass. We have set the standard globally with this trial and now the glass industry needs to work toward realizing what we’ve proved is possible. We now know that glass can be the most sustainable of all packaging types and must all work together to ensure that happens.”

Aston Fuller, General Manager of Glass Futures, also said: “The trial is delivering fantastic results for the manufacturer, end-user and consumer. Glass is a fully recyclable and highly sustainable product, and through this trial with Encirc we are seeing the dawn of net-zero technologies with this full-scale trial of a new alternative low-carbon fuel.”

The carbon catalyst 
The project is part of the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Energy Innovation Programme, within which Glass Futures is leading a £7.1 million (US$9.7 million) initiative to explore the most effective routes to switching glass manufacturing to low carbon fuels.

Diageo’s support for Glass Futures is part of its commitment to transforming packaging sustainability. Diageo recently announced its Society 2030: Spirit of Progress sustainability plan for a decade of action to tackle climate change, including environmental goals such as net-zero emissions from all direct operations by 2030.

Innova Market Insights recently identified “The Carbon Catalyst” as its second top packaging trend for 2021.

Edited By Joshua Poole

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