Green Innovation for Lightweight PET Bottle Development in AKVAVITA

Norway

Project implementer: JSC „AKVAVITA“
Project name: Green Innovation for Lightweight PET Bottle Development in AKVAVITA
Project code: NOR-LT09-ŪM-01-K-02-004
Duration of project activities: 2014.06.10 – 2017.04.30
Source of Financing: project is financed by Norwegian Financial Mechanism
Project value: 434 762 Eur
Intensity of financing: 45 %
Contact person: project manager Aida Vaičiulytė, [email protected]

Project summaryThe developed bottle of scientists is lighter and more environmentally friendly

It would seem that what can be easier than a plastic bottle of water? It turns out that even its weight can be greatly reduced: in production using less plastic, such a bottle becomes easier and more comfortable to carry with itself. Changes in production also solve one of the biggest challenges of the modern industry – make it possible to use more natural resources and reduce production waste. JSC “Akvavita” hopes that such bottles will become popular in the market and contribute to the biggest environmental problem – pollution – it will be 100 percent recyclable.

“PET packaging, or in other words, bottles of water and other beverages of various capacities, is one of the most popular packaging, and the range of food sold in it is constantly expanding. In the current economic conditions, consumers demand not only high quality and environmentally-friendly products, but also affordable prices, says Aistė Miliūtė, Director of JSC “Akvavita”. – The main objective of our project is to increase the company’s competitive advantage by introducing green innovations in the process of developing a lightweight PET bottle and promoting the processing of these packaging in Lithuania. We will offer the new packaging for other Lithuanian companies, so we believe that together we can achieve impressive results. ”

The idea was implemented by JSC “Akvavita” in cooperation with Norwegian company Berg Holding AS, and the project “Development of Green Innovations in the company Akvavita UAB” was developed by the Norwegian government under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the development of a lightweight PET bottle. A consumer survey has shown that people prefer packaging that is easy to take and easy to use. In addition, most participants in the study acknowledged that eco-friendliness is an important criterion for releasing into a rather consolidated mineral water market. During the project 6 bottle design prototypes were created, from which it was chosen the most suitable for consumers and most suitable for mass production. Totally 6 bottle shapes are made for still and carbonated natural mineral water.

The calculations have shown that a special production technology can reduce the weight of PET packaging by as much as 50%. The bottle created during the project will use 30% natural and 70% – recycled materials. New bottles are thinner, softer, which improves their compressibility – an important factor in the recycling process. 100 percent produced and used PET bottles will be processed into textiles, building materials, plastics, furniture, etc.

Innovation will have a positive impact on ecology in other aspects as well. First of all, the smaller use of plastic will save 54-72 tons of plastic per year (16% of the total amount of plastic used). In addition, logistics costs will be reduced by 10%, the pollution tax – 16%, electricity costs – 40%. The total carbon emissions are expected to fall by 70%. Other companies will be able to use the benefits of the new bottle, without initial investment and research, and contribute to the positive environmental impact. The total value of this project is 434 762 EUR, of which EUR 195 643 is financed by the Norwegian Funds.

Project continuity

Thanks to this project, JSC “Akvavita” will become more competitive in the international mineral water market and will establish itself on the local market. The company employs researchers and support staff to carry out complex surveys and innovations. During the project, successful and innovative products will be further developed to remain competitive on international markets.