Image source: JJ Ying, Unsplash
The paperization of tequila
Thomas Reiner | 15.07.2022
Swedish company AliasSmith is the first to launch tequila in a paperboard bottle. The paper bottle is made from 94 percent recycled material and, according to the company, saves significant CO2 emissions as well as energy and water during production and transport. The paper bottle is an exciting case of paperization. The system change to paper pays dividends in terms of climate, carbon footprint and resource conservation. Circular economy is not the end of the line. Glass will have a hard time. Huge opportunities are opening up for the packaging industry.
Swedish company AliasSmith AB has been introducing and developing Mexican brands in Europe for the past 18 years. The tequila, called Buen Vato, is produced in small batches in Amatitán Jalisco, Mexico, and for now is only available in the Swedish market.
Details about the bottle
- The fiber-based bottle is assembled from two shells of recycled cardboard. The two shells enclose a food-grade plastic bag (pouch) that contains the liquid.
- The same technology used in existing bag-in-box formats is used for the inner lining.
- The plastic pouch is made of polypropylene and offers a product shelf life of 12 months.
Sustainability benefits
According to Alias Smith, the new paper bottle adds up to a number of environmental advantages over the glass bottle used to date. For example, production and transport per bottle require
- six times less energy,
- 1.9 liters less water (per bottle),
- 84 percent less CO2 emissions and
- at 15 grams, requires only around 25 percent of the plastic needed for an equivalent wine bottle made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Paperization as a system change and opportunity
AliasSmith’s new paper bottle is an exciting case of paperization. The system change away from plastic (but also glass!) and towards paper brings a number of sustainability benefits. A reduced carbon footprint and conservation of resources are strong arguments. For glass, it could be very difficult in this respect.
This is because the climate issue is a strong driver. Anyone who thinks they can only focus on circular economy when it comes to sustainability is thinking too short.
As is so often the case, change brings with it opportunities. Paperization, which continues to be dynamic, offers enormous opportunities for companies in the packaging industry. It’s worth taking the initiative here.
