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Crealis shakes up sparkling closures with paper-based foil

26 November 2024 By Michael Huband

Symbiosis, the new foil from Crealis, cuts emissions thanks to its innovative design which is plastic-free and primarily made of paper.

Crealis has launched its latest innovation, combining a sustainable mindset with the latest technology. Named Symbiosis®, the foil for sparkling wine transforms the traditional closure by using a composition primarily made of paper combined with aluminium, as opposed to the conventional polylam plastic.

This cutting-edge foil, with paper as its main component, eliminates the plastic layer, and serves as Crealis’ next-generation, eco-conscious wine closure. Its benefits include a complete exclusion of plastic use and a 30% lower carbon footprint compared to closures made with Crealis’ Derma75 material (the most popular polylam by Crealis), or 15% compared to the already optimised Derma75L, the latest evolved version.

Adhering to the European Recycling Code C/PAP82, Symbiosis® can be easily disposed of in paper bins across Europe, further reinforcing its sustainability credentials. In leveraging innovative alternative materials, Crealis offers consumers a lower carbon footprint in their wines, and even a new experience during the opening ritual of a bottle.

It enhances the product experience, offering a sensory connection as consumers seek out sustainably made products. When opening a bottle packed with Symbiosis®, they will hear the distinctive sound of paper stretching, a subtle reminder of the eco-conscious material choice.

For producers, on the other hand, Symbiosis® offers a sustainable choice that does not compromise on performance. It is fully customizable and compatible with existing industrial bottling lines, offering both elegance and responsibility for brands aiming to bolster their credentials in sustainable wine packaging.

An overarching commitment

The innovative new product continues Crealis’ work at the intersection of technology and sustainability. Its existing efforts have already shown strong results.

Alongside the aforementioned Derma75L foil, its PET+ capsule has helped the company meet ambitious targets. The capsule is made of 35% recycled materials, reducing the need for further plastic production.

Crealis has also revamped its infrastructure. There are now plants operating to recover solvents from the production chain operating at both the Enoplastic site in Italy and the Rivercap site in Spain.

Initiatives such as these are helping Crealis reach ambitious targets by 2030 (with 2022 as the base year). It is working towards a 42% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (direct and indirect emissions from the company’s activities) and a 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions (those which occur elsewhere in the value chain).

Its targets, which are aligned to the internationally acknowledged 1.5°C pathway, have recently been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Symbiosis® therefore joins a firm tradition of effective sustainability initiatives at the company. Its name – a combination of Greek words for ‘together’ and ‘living’ – references the two materials ‘living together’ in the new foil. Yet it just as easily might speak to Crealis’ broader commitments: ‘living together’ when faced with environmental pressures requires exactly the kind of sustainability-minded forward thinking on show here.