In Denmark, an unlikely consortium of consumer goods companies and brewers are working to toward paper packaging. Dubbed Paboco (PAper BOttle COmpany), the group is comprised of Carlsberg, Absolut, L’Oreal, and Coca-Cola and is working on prototypes of packaging made from wood fiber instead of glass or plastic.
The project has already yielded two prototype beer packaging options for Carlsberg, and Absolut will soon pilot a mixed drink product line with paper packaging later this year.
“While each pioneer is building on their own, they will be able to elaborate and build on each other, the partnership will contribute ideas,” Louise Werner, director of future packaging at The Absolut Company, tells Greenbiz.com. “The idea is to feed the learnings back into all the projects.”
Stijn Franssen, senior engineering for packaging with Coca-Cola’s research and development team for Europe, adds that the paper bottle concept is still “extremely early in its lifecycle” but the collaboration will help advance prototypes and overcome hurdles.