Coca-Cola receives packaging innovation award for PlantBottle

The Coca-Cola Company received high honors at the 22nd annual global DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. The company's PlantBottle packaging earned a gold award, out of more than 160 global entrants in the overall program, for its demonstrated breakthrough packaging innovation.

Made of up to 30 percent plant-based material, PlantBottle packaging is a natural step toward the Bottle of the Future. It is the first of its kind – beverage packaging made from renewable sources that is 100 percent recyclable, like traditional PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. PlantBottle packaging can be recycled in the existing commercial recycling infrastructure.

The prestigious DuPont Award is the packaging industry's longest running, independently judged global award program. Leading international industry and sustainability experts judge entrants on their excellence in innovation, sustainability and cost/waste reduction.

"Our journey has only just begun, but the initial success we have seen in the marketplace along with highly credible recognition like this from DuPont show that we are making progress and delivering packaging innovation in response to consumers, customers and our franchise insights and business needs," said Scott Vitters, PlantBottle business lead, The Coca-Cola Company.

Launched in Denmark in December 2009, PlantBottle packaging is now available in a variety of pack sizes in the company's sparkling and still beverage portfolio in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and Norway. This innovative sustainable packaging is a key example of how the company has continuously evolved its packaging over the years. The Company has maintained its high-quality performance while improving its environmental impact.

Through the development of this innovative PlantBottle packaging, The Coca-Cola Company is able to reduce its reliance on nonrenewable resources. Preliminary research indicates that the carbon footprint of PlantBottle packaging is an improvement over that of traditional PET bottles.

Dr. Shell Huang, director of packaging research, The Coca-Cola Company says her team is already working on the next generation PlantBottle packaging, "We are working with R&D partners to advance next generation technologies to allow us to produce future generations of PlantBottle packaging. Our ultimate vision is to develop recyclable plastic bottles made from 100 percent renewable materials."

Exal Corporation, the supplier that produces the aluminum Coca-Cola contour bottle, took home a Diamond Award in the DuPont program for their lightweight "Coil to Can" manufacturing technology which features recyclable aluminum alloy.

FEMSA, the largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in Latin America, was awarded a notable accomplishment for its "IIF Inside Injection Foaming Process” which enables highly durable, recyclable plastic pallets to replace wooden ones.