A bottle made from flax fibres could provide a lightweight,
biodegradable alternative to traditional glass
According to the French company that will put the first flax-based bottle on
the market this year.
Made from a flax fibre composite, its inventors believe the
bottle will initially appeal to eco-conscious consumers in the high-end market;
but could eventually provide a wide-spread bio-based alternative to glass,
which has a higher carbon footprint.
"As brands seek to produce sustainably, our bottle is
the innovation that will trigger the entry of high-end wines and spirits into
effective eco-responsibility,” says James de Roany, chairman of SAS Green Gen
Technologies. “The world of wine, beer and spirits must take responsibility by
using the most eco-friendly and recyclable packaging possible.
“Our "Zero-glass bottle" intends to play an
important role in this direction by first entering the high-end market. Later,
when production lines are more automated, the production of flax reinforced and
production costs reduced, our bottle may involve products with lower added
value.”
After three years of development, the first flax fibre
bottles will arrive on the market this year and the company has ambitions for
production to reach 1.5m bottles in 2019.
‘Eco-responsibility and sustainability are fundamental
global trends’
Green Gen technologies sees a growing market of consumers
who are concerned about the environment and are prepared to make purchasing
decisions based on the environment. In luxury brands this is particularly true
as they seek to differentiate themselves.
“The market potential for natural fibre composite containers
is considerable as both eco-responsibility and sustainability are at the heart
of the concerns of consumers and distributors,” said de Roany.
“These notions have become fundamental trends and the
protection of the environment has become a priority purchase criterion. Our
containers are potentially suitable for all markets where glass is used as
packaging. We have particularly targeted alcoholic drinks and cosmetics.
“The potential market is huge. It may one day concern all
bottles of wine, beer or spirits whatever their destinations on domestic or
export markets.”
The majority of alcoholic beverages are packaged in glass,
which is recyclable. However, glass must reach temperatures of 1550 °C (2822°F)
during production and thus requires a considerable amount of energy. In
addition, glass is heavy which adds to the carbon footprint created during
transportation.
In contrast, the bio-based flax bottle is made of a flax
fibre composite, without any glass, and primarily aimed at premium wine, beer,
spirits and cosmetics. According to Green Gen, the bottle can handle alcohol
content up to 60% ABV, has no impact on taste, and can use traditional corks.
Resistance to shock is higher than that of a traditional glass bottle.
A 75cl bottle (the typical size for a wine bottle) weighs
190 grams: a weight saving of 300g – 1kg compared to a glass bottle (depending
on the type of bottle and glass). It is bio-based and is biodegradable when
crushed and placed in the presence of bacteria.
“The container is made from a cylindrical and preformed flax
braid having a uniform appearance,” explains the company.
“It is then impregnated with a thermoplastic resin of
vegetable origin and cooked according to a very complex and precise process to
give an ultra-strong composite.
“A composite material is an assembly of at least two
immiscible components (but having a high penetration capacity) whose properties
are complementary (flax-braid and bio-based resin). The new heterogeneous
material thus formed has properties that the components alone do not have.
“This phenomenon makes it possible to obtain a very light
container with high technical performances. The resin highlights the flax
bronze colour and gives a smooth, satin, upscale look to the hull as well as a
pleasant touch and a beautiful aesthetic. It is also possible to stain the
fibre from natural colourants.”
Flax is mainly produced in north west
Europe, with France
“Its cultivation does not require irrigation nor
phytosanitary products. It is therefore a champion of sustainable agriculture,”
says Green Gen.
The plant has been used since ancient times in textiles, but
has entered a 'new era of development' with some 10% of flax production now
devoted to other areas.
“Flax composites (linen + resin) are more and more used for
their high technical performance and especially in the automobile (Tesla and
others), eco-construction, insulation, sports equipment (skiing, snow shoes, mountain
biking, surfing...), aeronautics and even space (SpaceX is equipped!)”
Bio-based and biodegradable
Industrial scale production is due to start this year, and
the bottle can be used with conventional bottling lines. The first three
formats in production are a Burgundy style
bottle in 50 cl (wines & spirits), 70cl (spirits) and 75 cl (wines).
“Our bottle is revolutionary in that it will decrease – and
why not eventually see disappear – glass packaging in favour of containers of
plant origin with a negative carbon footprint (the plant absorbs more carbon
that is needed to produce the bottle),” says the company.
The bottle is currently 91% bio-based. This is because there
is not yet an FDA/EU approved inner food grade film made from natural vegetable
plastics that can resist an alcoholic beverage. However, the company believes
that a PLA plastic will be available in 12-18 months to address this.
While the company is starting with flax, GGT’s patents cover
all plant fibres and the company says it expects to be able to launch bamboo,
hemp and sugar cane containers within the next two years.
by Rachel Arthur
© William Reed Business Media Ltd 2018.
Comments
Post a Comment