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Coca-Cola invests €12m in returnable glass bottling in Austria
Coca-Cola has made a significant milestone investment into making circular economy packaging a reality in Austria.
The soft drinks and mixer’s bottling arm of the company has put €12 million into opening a new high-speed returnable glass bottling line at its plant in Edelstal, Austria. A move that was supported by a €4 million grant from the Austrian government.
In what is a first across Coca-Cola’s 29 markets, the new line, which is more water and energy efficient, is set to produce 400ml returnable and resealable glass bottles for the Austrian market.
Speaking to the drinks business, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, Marcel Martin, said: “As we carve our path towards net zero emissions by 2040, we continue to innovate and invest in more sustainable packaging solutions across our 29 markets – using less plastic and in packaging that can be recycled or returned.”
Martin told db: “In Austria, we have been accelerating our reusable packaging range, and we’re pleased to be investing further behind this growth with this latest €12 million investment. We hope these convenient returnable and resealable glass packaging types will be well received by consumers and customers alike.”
Coca-Cola HBC CEO, Zoran Bogdanovic added: “For some years now, Coca-Cola HBC Austria has been at the forefront of pioneering new sustainable solutions, and we’re delighted that our focus on investment, innovation and partnerships are helping us to meet our goal of delivering our drinks in more sustainable ways. Austria is already one of our fastest-growing markets for reusable packaging and this new line will further accelerate this packaging type, which is in demand by our customers and consumers alike. As returnable packaging options offer a reduced carbon footprint, this new line in Austria further supports our Net Zero by 2040 goal. We’re grateful for the partnership with the Austrian government as we work together towards a common goal of a greener business model and a better environment.”
The investment is part of Coca-Cola plan to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.