Safripol, Polyoak, Packamama debut locally made eco-flat wine bottle in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Safripol, Polyoak Packaging, and Packamama have partnered to launch South Africa’s first locally manufactured eco-friendly flat wine bottle.

The resulting innovation combines sustainability with practicality, reshaping the way wine is packaged, shipped, and enjoyed.

Made from more than 25% recycled PET plastic and fully recyclable, the eco-flat wine bottle is lightweight, shatterproof, and flat in shape, qualities that are already driving strong sales in Europe and the UK.

With production now underway in Cape Town, South African winemakers can tap into a proven packaging format designed for both local and export markets.

A flat, lightweight alternative to glass

Weighing just 63 grams, over 80% lighter than the typical 400-gram glass wine bottle, the eco-flat design offers clear logistical advantages.

Its slim profile allows up to 40% more bottles per pallet: 1,200 on a UK pallet and 1,152 on a Euro pallet.

The shape not only reduces breakage risks but also provides winemakers with a larger front-facing surface for branding and label creativity.

The bottle comes in dead-leaf green and clear PET options and supports closures such as the fully recyclable 30H60 Novatwist plastic cap.

The innovation addresses both environmental and regulatory demands. It is BPA-free, odour-free, and compliant with EU and U.S. FDA food-contact safety standards. Its oxygen barrier technology keeps still wines fresh for up to 18 months, making it a safe and reliable packaging choice.

By cutting material use and reducing weight, the bottle lowers carbon emissions across the supply chain while promoting circularity in South Africa’s packaging sector. Safripol and partners highlight it as a step toward a more sustainable future for the local wine industry.

Designed for modern, on-the-go lifestyles, the eco-flat bottle is ideal for outdoor events, picnics, hiking trips, and in-flight service, where its slim shape fits neatly into airline trolleys. Its shatterproof nature also makes it a safer option for e-commerce deliveries.

Consumer surveys show strong uptake potential, with 70% of South Africa’s middle-class wine drinkers, particularly millennials and women, open to adopting the format.

Globally, the design has already outsold glass bottles in some categories, giving South African producers confidence in both domestic and export opportunities.

The eco-flat wine bottle marks a new era in South Africa’s wine packaging landscape.

By pairing convenience with sustainability, it positions the country at the forefront of global efforts to reduce packaging waste and carbon emissions, while meeting the evolving preferences of today’s wine consumer.

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