THE AMAZING CARDBOARD BEER BOTTLE

IT’S A whole new world when it comes to alternative packaging and alcohol. Carlsberg has announced plans to develop the “world’s first” fully biodegradable wood-fiber bottle. The Green Fiber Bottle was unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as part of a three-year project with packaging company ecoXpac, and in partnership with Innovation Fund Denmark and the Technical University of Denmark. Made from sustainably sourced wood-fiber, all materials used in the bottle, including the cap, will be developed using bio-based and biodegradable materials. Last week the beer can turned 8O-years-old, with this project perhaps marking the next phase in the future of beer packaging. The brewer’s plans form part of the Carlsberg Circular Community (CCC), a co-operation between Carlsberg and selected partners whose aim is to pursue a circular, zero-waste economy. Last year similar technology was developed by UK-based GreenBottle, which saw a US line of paper wine bottles by Paso Robles winery Paper Boy launched in the US. However GreenBottle went into administration just five months after the line made its debut. That company used a plastic bladder inside a cardboard bottle, however Carlsberg’s bottles are planned to be produced in one piece using an inner coating that will decompose naturally. The Carlsberg Group owns 5OO beer brands.