AND FINALLY
and finally
Carlsberg moves a step closer to creating the world’s rst ‘paper’ beer bottle Carlsberg has unveiled two new research prototypes of its Green Fibre Bottle, which are the rst ‘paper bottles’ to contain beer. Carlsberg also announced it has been joined by other leading global companies who are united in their vision of developing sustainable packaging through the advancement of paper bottle technology. These developments are a continuation of Carlsberg’s sustaina- ble packaging innovation journey and a key part of its sustainability programme, Together Towards ZERO, including its commitment to ZERO carbon emissions at its breweries and a 30% reduction in its full value chain carbon footprint by 2030. Two new prototypes The two new research prototypes are made from sustainably-sourced wood bre, are fully recyclable and have an inner barrier to allow the bottles to contain beer. One prototype uses a thin recycled PET pol- ymer lm barrier, and the other a 100% bio-based PEF polymer lm barrier. These prototypes will be used to test the barrier technology as Carlsberg seeks a solution to achieve their ultimate ambition of a 100% bio-based bottle without polymers. Myriam Shingleton, Vice President Group Development at Carlsberg Group, said: “We continue to innovate across all our pack- aging formats, and we are pleased with the progress we’ve made on the Green Fibre Bottle so far. While we are not completely there yet, the two prototypes are an important step towards realising our ultimate ambition of bringing this breakthrough to market. Innovation takes time and we will continue to collaborate with leading experts in order to overcome remaining technical challenges, just as we did with our plastic-reducing Snap Pack.” New partners onboard Carlsberg kicked off the project to develop a bottle made from sustainably sourced wood bres, the ‘Green Fibre Bottle’, in 2015 alongside innovation experts ecoXpac, packaging company Scottish Parliament raises a glass to 525 years of Scotch whisky The Scotch Whisky Association has celebrated the 525th anniversary of the rst recorded dram by hosting an event at the Scottish Parliament. Ministers and MSPs gathered at Holyrood to mark the occasion and were joined by SWA Chief Executive Karen Betts. The rst known mention of Scotch whisky distillation is credited to Lindores Abbey in Newburgh, Fife. A note in the 1494 Exchequer Rolls details that by order of King James IV, ‘eight bols malt’ be supplied to Friar John Cor to produce ‘aqua vitae’ – the water of life. Amongst those in attendance were Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Bruce Crawford MSP who tried their hand at the art of whisky barrel making with a little help from coopers from Speyside Cooperage. Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association Karen Betts said: “Scotch has moved with the times. Scotland’s national drink is now our most successful global export, shipped to destinations
BillerudKorsnäs, and post-doctoral researchers from the Danish Technical University, supported by Innovation Fund Denmark. These combined efforts have resulted in the emergence of Paboco ® , the Paper Bottle Company – a joint venture between BillerudKorsnäs and bottle manufacturing specialist Alpla. Carlsberg will now be joined by The Coca-Cola Company, The Absolut Company and L’Oréal in a paper bottle commu- nity – launched by Paboco ® . The community unites leading global companies and experts with the vision of advancing sustainable packaging, offering high-quality products while reducing their environ- mental impact. A constant pursuit of better Carlsberg’s focus on sustainable packaging innovations is not new. In 2018, the Danish brewer launched a number of pack- aging innovations including recycled shrink lm, greener label ink and the innovative ‘Snap Pack’, which replaces the plastic wrapping around its six-packs with a solution that instead glues cans together. Carlsberg’s packaging improvements are part of its long-standing progress of betterment and innovation, including developing scienti c breakthroughs such as pure yeast and the pH scale. which were only just being discovered by the explorers of the 15th century. “Now we are proud that Scotch whisky is the hugely successful export that it is. Over the last 525 years, the industry has not rested on its laurels and Scotch whisky companies now produce some of the most globally recognised consumer brands. “Only a couple of months ago, we marked a record number of visits to Scotch whisky distilleries. Tourists from all over the world visit distilleries across Scotland to learn about the story of Scotch and of Scotland.” Scotch whisky tourism saw record numbers of visitors in 2018, with over 2 million visits to Scotch whisky distilleries from tourists for the rst time. The SWA’s annual survey revealed visits were up 6.1% year on year and 56% more than in 2010. MSP for Stirling Bruce Crawford, who hosted the event, said: “It has been a pleasure to host the reception recognising the great work the Scotch Whisky Association does and celebrating 525th anniver- sary of whisky in Scotland. Many centuries later Scotch whisky is one of Scotland’s biggest success stories, with 2018 being a record year for exports. “Yes there may be some uncertainties over the future as result of Brexit but this is an Industry that thrives on optimism and opportunity and I am sure it will go from strength to strength.”
70 ● BREWER AND DISTILLER INTERNATIONAL I november 2019
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