Berry unveils new rPET bottle for European luxury water brand NEUE Water

UK – Plastic packaging manufacturer Berry Global has designed a new 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottle to pack artesian mineral water of NEUE Water, a new sustainable luxury brand.

Berry has given an ergonomic flat shape to the bottle so that it can fit easily into pockets, bags and seatback storage in planes and trains.

Its design makes it appropriate for refilling for multiple uses, and it can be recycled at its end of life, the packaging products maker claimed.

Made from recycled content, the bottles are intended to fit into the present modern, on-the-go lifestyle.

The original design concept, made by NEUE Water’s founder Michael Lowers, was realized using Berry’s technological expertise and experience using recycled plastic.

Lowers said: “Our water allows consumers to hydrate consciously on the go, with a bottle that uses no new plastic and is recyclable. In this way, we are championing the move to a more circular economy.

“Bringing the bottle design concept to life was not easy, but the team at Berry rose to the challenge and have been hugely supportive throughout the project. The result is brilliant – a fantastic looking bottle that perfectly combines style with sustainability.”

NEUE Water sold out within its first week of launching at Harrods, and won multiple awards, including gold for design at the Fine Water Society’s annual Taste and Design Awards, and a Good Brand Award from Sublime Magazine for Advancing Social & Environmental Sustainability.

This development follows a recent announcement by Berry to merge its existing M&H and PET Power businesses into a new Europe-wide operation.

Called Berry Agile Solutions, the new business promises short lead times and low minimum order quantities (MOQs), including multi-product orders.

According to Berry Global, the move will enable customers of all sizes to have fast access to packaging solutions.

It comes amid a general move within the beauty supply industry to accommodate the needs of smaller indie brands.

 Closure of 20 Plant

Early this month, Berry Global CEO Tom Salmon announced during the company’s Q3 earnings webcast that the packaging giant would be shutting down 20 facilities.

The company is not revealing the plant locations at present. Marketing Communications Manager Amy Waterman told Plastic Today that the company is unable to release the list of facilities, adding that “our divisions continually review our overall manufacturing footprint to ensure efficient service to our customers.”

Berry last announced the closure of facilities ten years ago. Five plants were officially closed in 2014 in response to weak demand for its plastic packaging.

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