Baileys trials aluminum bottles to cut waste and carbon footprint

IRELAND – Irish cream liqueur brand Baileys is piloting aluminium bottles for its 70cl format, aiming to slash waste and carbon emissions throughout the packaging life-cycle.

The Diageo-owned brand is rolling out this eco-friendly packaging innovation in duty-free shops at major international airports across Europe, including Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt International, and Copenhagen International.

Compared to the current glass bottles weighing 454g, the new aluminium bottles are remarkably lighter at just 85g. This substantial weight reduction, coupled with the material change, is projected to yield a remarkable 44% decrease in the carbon footprint associated with this packaging option.

While both glass and aluminium formats are recyclable, aluminium holds a distinct advantage as it’s infinitely recyclable without any loss in material quality through each processing cycle.

However, it’s worth noting that the new bottles contain a plastic thread on the bottleneck, weighing 4g, which unfortunately is not currently recyclable.

Sarah Blake, Baileys’ global brand director, expressed pride in the brand’s commitment to driving positive impact, particularly as they join the B Corp movement.

She emphasized that while this innovation marks a significant milestone for Baileys, they remain committed to further initiatives as part of their journey towards achieving their 2030 commitments.

As part of Diageo’s broader corporate sustainability strategy, which includes targets such as reducing packaging weight by 10% and increasing recycled content to 60%, Baileys’ initiative aligns with their vision for a greener future.

Diageo aims to make all packaging widely recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030, alongside a 1.5C-aligned science-based emissions target for indirect (Scope 3) emissions.

Given that packaging contributes significantly to the company’s total Scope 3 carbon emissions, Diageo recognizes the importance of innovating to deliver lighter packaging and incorporating different materials to meet their climate objectives.

In another sustainability initiative, Diageo, in December, partnered with circular economy startup ecoSPIRITS to replace up to 95% of bar and pub bottles.

This partnership introduces refillable 4.5-liter vessels for Gordon’s gin, Captain Morgan rum, and Smirnoff vodka across 18 markets over the next three years.

Each ecoSPIRITS “ecoTOTE” consists of a 4.5-liter glass bottle encased in plastic with an inner aluminum frame.

Designed to endure 150 refills, these containers boast a lower carbon intensity compared to the equivalent number of bottles they replace after just six refills, as per ecoSPIRITS’ assessment.

By implementing this system, Diageo aims to replace 900 of the typical 750-milliliter glass bottles used by restaurants and bars over the lifetime of one ecoSPIRITS tote.

With estimated CO2 footprint reductions ranging from 60% to 90% compared to traditional bar bottles, this initiative represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future in the beverage industry.

In related news, Industrial Physics, a provider of packaging, product, and material test and measurement solutions, named Michael Jacobsen as Vice President of global operations and supply chain.

Jacobsen brings extensive experience in quality and development within regulated sectors to his new role. He will be responsible for evaluating and refining the global strategy with a focus on quality, delivery, and manufacturing efficiency.

Prior to joining Industrial Physics, Jacobsen held various senior positions in companies operating within regulated industries, including roles at Danaher Corporation and Spectris.

He expressed his enthusiasm for joining Industrial Physics, emphasizing the company’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its customers’ brands and products in the rapidly evolving packaging landscape.

Barry Lyon, CEO of Industrial Physics, praised Jacobsen’s addition to the team and highlighted his hands-on approach since joining the company.

Lyon emphasized Jacobsen’s role in supporting Industrial Physics’ growth objectives and ensuring that every aspect of the business is rooted in quality to best serve its customers.

Croxsons appoints new business development manager

Finally, Croxsons has announced the appointment of Lindsay Martin as Business Development Manager. With five years of experience in the packaging industry, particularly in food and drink categories and various primary packaging types, Martin brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

At Croxsons, Martin will focus on fostering strong, personal relationships with clients, assisting them with all aspects of their closures needs, ranging from standard options to fully bespoke closures.

Additionally, she will meticulously scrutinize the supply chain process to ensure that Croxsons delivers efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions across logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and product development.

Tim Croxson, Chief Executive of Croxsons, expressed excitement about Martin joining the team, highlighting her extensive industry experience and relationship-driven approach, which aligns well with the company’s values.

He emphasized confidence in Martin’s ability to contribute significantly to creating added value for Croxsons’ customers.

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