Paper Bottle.

Image source: Paboco

The “Paper Bottle” drinks bottle from Paboco is made from wood fibers obtained from sustainably managed forests. A barrier protects the material inside the paper bottle from liquid by making the material impermeable to water vapor and oxygen. While these were still made of PET or PE in the initial development phase, bio-based coatings are now also being tested with major partners.

The Carlsberg Group is testing the Fibre Bottle 2.0 with PET (polyethylene furanoate), a plant-based polymer that should only minimally restrict the recycling process of the overall product in the paper stream. The barrier protects the taste and is even said to retain the carbon dioxide better than conventional PET. According to the company, the market test in 8 European countries was a positive surprise. The freshness of the beer is the same, but the structure and insulating properties of the wood-fiber bottle lead to a completely new haptic experience.

Image source: Paboco

Further tests are being carried out with Absolut, Coca-Cola, L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble. Paboco plans to produce a fully recyclable paper bottle at a new, state-of-the-art production site in Denmark by the end of 2024.

Our conclusion: Currently still very speculative, and the environmental balance would also have to be compared more closely with that of reusable PET or glass bottles. The paperization trend is expected to provide a boost – we are excited!

Best Practice: Paboco