Rhea Distilleries launches India’s first paper bottle in sustainability breakthrough

INDIA – Rhea Distilleries has unveiled India’s first paper bottle, developed in partnership with UK-based Frugalpac and ITC’s Packaging and Printing Business.

The innovation marks a new era in eco-friendly packaging for the Indian beverage industry, aligning with global efforts to cut carbon emissions and reduce plastic and glass waste.

The announcement coincided with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s trade visit to India on October 9, 2025, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.

The collaboration underscores the strengthening of UK-India relations in green manufacturing and technology transfer.

Developed by Frugalpac, headquartered in Ipswich, the Frugal Bottle is the world’s first commercially available paper bottle for spirits and wines.

Made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food-grade liner, it is five times lighter than glass and has a carbon footprint up to six times lower.

Its design allows consumers to separate the paper shell from the liner for easy recycling through existing waste streams.

“This is a pivotal moment for sustainable packaging in India,” said Malcolm Waugh, CEO of Frugalpac.

“Collaborating with ITC and Rhea Distilleries not only brings an iconic Goan spirit to market in an eco-friendly bottle but also sets the stage for a broader transformation across India’s drinks industry.”

The deal to bring the British-made bottle to India was finalised during a Frugalpac visit to the country in September 2025.

The agreement includes plans to localize production by introducing Frugal Bottle assembly machines in South Asia and developing indigenous materials for the liner and paperboard, steps expected to reduce manufacturing and transportation emissions.

Rhea Distilleries will debut the new bottles with its Fidalgo Premium Cashew Feni, a Goan cashew apple brandy, initially launching in select local markets.

The move positions the company as a sustainability pioneer in India’s growing alcoholic beverage sector, which is projected to reach US$52 billion by 2030, driven by premiumization and eco-conscious consumer preferences.

Harjinder Kang, UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, hailed the initiative as “a fantastic example of a UK business reaping the benefits of the ever-strengthening trading relationship between our countries.”

He added, “The UK-India trading relationship is worth over £44 billion annually. Our upcoming Free Trade Agreement will make it easier and cheaper to do business together, boosting trade by £25 billion each year in the long run.”

The partnership not only strengthens trade cooperation but also demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can jointly drive industrial growth.

As India moves toward a circular economy, Rhea Distilleries’ paper bottle debut could inspire wider adoption of greener packaging across the country’s beverage industry.

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