The world's most environmentally friendly spirits bottle is biodegradable in 18 months. Bacardi is replacing crude oil with seed oil and replacing petroleum-based plastics with plant-based "wonder materials" - a winning formula for solving plastic pollution. Bacardi will eliminate at least 3,000 tons of plastic currently produced each year and share new technology with competitors to help the industry advance
In Hamilton, Bermuda, Bacardi, the world's largest spirits giant, announced the launch of a biodegradable polyhydroxy fatty acid ester (PHA) bioplastic bottle within 18 months. The new packaging for the world's most sustainable spirits bottle, scheduled to hit shelves in 2023, is a giant leap forward in its fight against climate change and plastic pollution. The new 100% biodegradable bottles will replace the 80 million plastic bottles - equivalent to 3,000 tons of plastic - currently produced annually by Bacardi's brands.
This revolutionary move by Bacardi may stem from its close collaboration with Danimer Scientific, a leading developer and manufacturer of biodegradable products. The petroleum-based plastics currently used by Bacardi will be replaced by Danimer Scientific's Nodax™™
Bacardi (BACARDÍ®) Rum will be the first spirits to use the new bottle, after which the plant-based material will gradually be rolled out to replace the single-use plastic used throughout Bacardi's supply chain and across the company's 200 brands and trademarks, including Bombay Sapphire (BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®) Gin, Grey Goose (GREY GOOSE®) Vodka, PATRÓN® Tequila, Martini® Vermouth and Imperial (DEWAR'S®) Scotch Whisky.
Ned Duggan, Senior Vice President of Rum at Bacardi, said, "Throughout our 158-year history, whether it's sourcing sugar cane sustainably or using water and energy in the production of rum, Bacardi has always believed in respecting the world's natural resources and taking action to fulfill its responsibilities. We are now excited to be the first to use this new biopolymer technology for the benefit of all of Bacardi's brands and the spirits industry as a whole."
In addition to the new 100% biopolymer wine bottle, Bacardi will also create a sustainably sourced paper bottle. By incorporating Nodax™
Jean-Marc Lambert, senior vice president of Bacardi's global business, said, "When we set the goal of being 100 percent plastic-free by 2030, we realized that to achieve our goal, there should be breakthroughs in packaging design, and by partnering with Danimer, we have done just that. "
Thanks to the versatility of this innovative material, the Bacardi packaging development team will also solve a major plastic problem that has long plagued the alcoholic beverage industry - the plastic inner cushion of the bottle cap. It may sound insignificant, but if you add up every single bottle produced in the world, we are dealing with tons and tons of plastic every day," said Jean-Marc. Once we have solved this problem, we will roll out this solution to the entire industry for use. It's not about competitive advantage, it's about doing the right thing for the planet."
Bacardi's announcement today represents a major step toward the company's goal of becoming 100 percent plastic-free in the next 10 years. In addition to launching a new biopolymer wine bottle in 2023, the company has committed to avoiding all unnecessary single-use plastics over the next three years, including all plastic gift box materials and plastic point-of-sale promotional materials.
The University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Georgia New Materials Institute (NMI) confirmed in a 2018 study that Nodax™ PHA is a truly biodegradable product capable of replacing petrochemical plastics. Danimer Scientific is currently using this material in a variety of applications including thermoformed trays, beverage straws, flexible and multi-layer film packaging, coatings, disposable tableware and more.
Scott Tuten, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Danimer Scientific, stated."Nodax™ PHA is one of the most promising eco-friendly materials in the world today because it has the biodegradability that consumers want, while not compromising the quality feel of the product compared to traditional plastics. This material combines the best of both worlds and we look forward to working with Bacardi to use PHA in its iconic packaging."
In 2016, Bacardi was at the forefront of the alcoholic beverage industry when it committed to avoiding all single-use plastic straws in its cocktails. Two years ago, the company began a partnership with the Lonely Whale Foundation to advocate for the avoidance of single-use plastic straws in bars and restaurants. In 2018, Danimer Scientific used Nodax™
Carlsberg, the world's fourth largest brewing group, puts together 2 prototype green fiber bottles bearing beer at the C40 Global Mayors Summit in Copenhagen on Oct. 11, 2019.
On July 13, 2020, Johnnie Walker debuted the world's first 100% plastic-free spirit paper bottle made entirely from sustainably sourced wood.
In December 2022, all new gift packs in the Bacardi portfolio - including Bacardi Reserve Ocho Rum, Grey Goose® Vodka®, Bombay Sapphire® Premium, Martini® Vermouth, Patron® Tequila and Dewar's® 12 Year Blend Scotch Whisky - are now 100% plastic-free.
This important step will enable Bacardi to reduce nearly 275 tons of single-use plastic annually and will be achieved through innovative new designs that remove plastic or replace it with sustainably sourced alternatives.
In addition to using Forest Stewardship Council® certified paperboard, the company also pioneered the use of alternative materials - becoming the first spirits company to use a new bio-based, 100% compostable packaging material in its ABERFELDY® 12-year "Gold Bar" gift pack. Sustainable materials made from potato starch and cellulose fibers replace plastic vacuum packaging.
We are committed to being 100 percent plastic-free by 2030, and removing plastic from gift packaging is an important milestone on that journey," said Rodolfo Nervi, Bacardi's vice president of global safety, quality and sustainability. " We have been a pioneer as a company for more than 160 years, and our efforts to remove plastic are no exception. We will continue to innovate and explore new sustainable plastic alternatives because it's the right thing to do.
As part of its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) program "Good Spirited", Bacardi has set a series of goals in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to achieving them by 2025. These goals complement the company's commitment to eliminate all plastic point-of-sale materials by 2023 and to be 100% plastic-free by 2030, and include.
A 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
25% reduction in water consumption.
100% sustainable sourcing of key raw materials and packaging.
100% recyclable product packaging.
40% recycled content of product packaging materials.
Zero waste to landfill at all manufacturing sites.
New 100% plastic-free gift bags are available in select markets worldwide throughout the holiday season.
