Paper wine bottle launched with 84% lower carbon footprint

British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac has launched a wine bottle made from 94% recycled paperboard, which it said has a carbon footprint 84% less than that of glass.

The Frugal bottle is made from predominantly recycled paperboard, and has a food-grade liner insert capable of holding both wine and spirits.

Frugalpac said the 75cl bottle, which is up to five times lighter than a glass bottle, also has a carbon footprint over a third lower than a bottle made from recycled plastic. In addition, its water footprint is also at least four times lower than glass.

The bottle, which can be refrigerated, is easy to recycle, according to Frugalpac, which states that the paperboard can easily be separated from the liner.

In terms of production cost, the bottle is “comparable” to a labelled glass bottle, but the Ipswich-based creator points out that the bottle offers the option for 360-degree branding. The bottle can be produced at a winery on-site, which Frugalpac says offers “complete freedom on design and print” and makes it “more cost effective to transport”.

The bottle uses just 15g of plastic, 77% less than a recycled plastic bottle. It is currently being used by Umbrian producer Cantina Goccia for its 3Q Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The bottle is available to buy from the winery’s website, and also via its UK importer, Woodwinters.

The packaging firm, which has launched the bottle in the UK, Denmark and Holland, said it has also received interest from UK supermarket chains and hospitality groups.

It follows the launch of a paper beer bottle last year by Danish brewer Carlsberg. The collaborative project resulted in the creation of paper bottle company Paboco, which also works with firms including Absolut, Coca-Cola and L’Oréal.

Carlsberg revealed two prototypes for its eco-friendly bottle last year. Both were made from sustainably sourced wood fibres and have an “inner barrier” allowing the bottle to hold beer. One used a thin recycled PET polymer film barrier, while the other had a bio-based PEF polymer film barrier.

Frugalpac, which has also developed a takeaway coffee cup made from 96% recycled paper, also wants similar options available for the wine and spirits industries.

Chief executive Malcolm Waugh said the company had already received “fantastic feedback”.

“We want to deliver great wine and spirits in innovative packaging whilst helping our customers and consumers reduce their impact on the environment,” he said.

“The Frugal Bottle offers a major point of difference for the global wine and spirits sector through stand out design and positive sustainable benefits.

“Frugalpac’s business model is to supply Frugal Bottle machines for wine producers or packaging companies to manufacture the bottles on their site, cutting carbon emissions even further. Materials can be purchased locally through existing paperboard printers to give maximum freedom of design and the best commercial offering.”

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