Ardagh Glass Packaging pioneers low-carbon emerald-green bottles for Jägermeister

EUROPE – Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe), a leader in sustainable glass manufacturing, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to produce emerald-green bottles for Jägermeister using its innovative NextGen Furnace technology. 

The collaboration, rooted in a partnership spanning over two decades, aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Jägermeister’s iconic 70cl bottles.

According to AGP-Europe, the NextGen Furnace, operational since late 2023 at its Obernkirchen facility in Germany, employs hybrid technology with 42 electrodes to achieve up to 80% electrical heating. 

This approach has already proven effective in producing amber glass, slashing carbon emissions by 64% through the use of 60% renewable electricity and up to 70% recycled materials. 

In a statement, Joris Goossens, AGP-Europe’s R&D project manager, emphasized the significance of this advancement: 

“Partnering exclusively with Jägermeister, we’re scaling innovation with impact. After successfully producing lower-carbon amber glass, the next step is to deliver the first lower-carbon emerald-glass bottles to the spirits sector.”

The initiative includes a contract to produce up to 14 million 70cl bottles, a milestone hailed by Carsten Doliwa, vice-president of procurement at Mast-Jägermeister. 

“This agreement is a pivotal moment in our longstanding partnership with Ardagh Glass Packaging,” Doliwa said. 

“The production of our green Jägermeister bottles with this technology aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by an envisaged 64% per bottle, directly contributing to our sustainability goals.” 

The renewable electricity powering the furnace is sourced through a power purchase agreement with Sunnic Lighthouse and ENERPARC in Germany, ensuring a greener production process.

In related developments, a report by Packaging Europe highlights AGP-Europe’s broader commitment to sustainability. 

The company recently won the Think Big! award at the 2024 DENA Energy Awards for its NextGen Furnace, which has saved approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ since January 2024. 

AGP-Europe plans to further decarbonize by replacing the remaining gas usage with green hydrogen, aligning with its 2030 Sustainability Strategy.

Additionally, AGP-North America has partnered with CAP Glass to enhance glass recycling across the US. 

The collaboration focuses on creating a closed-loop system by supplying high-quality cullet for new glass containers, minimizing landfill waste. 

By integrating advanced recycling and low-carbon production, AGP is setting a new standard for sustainable packaging, offering a model for the industry to follow.

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