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Coca-Cola reveals first prototype of paper bottle

Coca-Cola is developing new packaging technology that will eventually create a 100-per-cent paper bottle. 

The company has teamed with paper bottle company Paboco and three other companies in the Paboco Pioneer Community to study the concept. 

“Our vision is to create a paper bottle that can be recycled like any other type of paper, and this prototype is the first step on the way to achieving this,” said Stijn Franssen, EMEA R&D packaging innovation manager at Coca-Cola.

“A paper bottle opens up a whole new world of packaging possibilities, and we are convinced that paper packaging has a role to play in the future.”

Despite the effort, it still has a long way to go before achieving the 100-per-cent paper bottle goal. The first-generation paper bottle still has a plastic closure and plastic lining inside. 

“The plastic we use is made from 100-per-cent recycled plastic that can be recycled again after use. But our vision is to create a paper bottle that can be recycled like any paper. The next step is to find a solution to create a bottle without the plastic liner,” Franssen said. 

The company aims to collect and recycle all bottles and cans by 2030 by using packaging materials that are 100-per-cent recyclable and reducing the use of virgin packaging materials. 

Franssen believes that future technological solutions will help achieve the vision of a paper bottle that’s recyclable as paper. The paper packaging must also meet other safety and quality standards like other types of packaging. 

“This is all part of our journey to find the most sustainable packaging solutions for people to enjoy our drinks in a way that is right for them, and that is right for our planet,” he added. 

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