Absolut Vodka steps closer to bio-based bottle
Pernod Ricard has unveiled a paper-based cap for Absolut Vodka, made by Blue Ocean Closures.
Described as an industry first, Pernod Ricard originally sold paper Absolut bottles at Tesco stores in the UK for three months over the summer of 2023. The recyclable paper bottles were made by The Paper Bottling Company.
The paper-based cap is a new feature, made by Blue Ocean Closures and with 95% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fibres.
Previously for its paper bottles, Absolut had used an aluminium cap. The eventual goal is to develop a bottle that is completely bio-based.
The paper bottle and cap as a duo was first seen last month (May) in a trial carried out by a community of bartenders.
Louise Werner, director of future packaging at Absolut, said: “2023 saw the development of the Absolut paper-based bottle, a pioneering initiative that helped us push boundaries towards our fully bio-based bottle. However, the final piece of the puzzle remained.
“Creating real impact is hard and change can only come about as a collective endeavour so we are thrilled to partner with Blue Ocean Closures to help us on the journey.”
While the cap is made of 95% FSC-certified fibres, its thin-top seal barrier is still made of plastic. For the future, Absolut will replace this plastic with bio-based material, so the whole cap consists of renewable materials.
The cap will be recyclable as paper in markets that have recycling systems in place can separate paper from other materials.
Lars Sandberg, CEO at Blue Ocean Closures, added: “We are proud to partner with Absolut Vodka, a leader when it comes to packaging innovation, in bringing the paper-based cap to life. Real change must be a collective effort, and we are excited to learn from the feedback received by bartenders attending this trial.”
Other brands that have followed suit in taking on paper packaging include Diageo-owned Baileys and Johnnie Walker, and Buen Vato.
Ongoing commitment to sustainability
In wider sustainability goals, Absolut aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and has already cut fossil fuels from its Swedish distillery.
It achieved this goal a year earlier than originally targeted (before the end of 2025) and now operates entirely by renewable energy sources.
Meanwhile, its parent company Pernod Ricard has advanced its partnership with EcoSpirits, signing a five-year global licensing agreement so it can use the brand’s closed-loop packaging technology in new markets.
The French firm has emphasised the need for eco-conscious packaging of spirits, launching a Future of Packaging initiative.
As Noémie Bauer, chief sustainability officer at Pernod Ricard, commented: “We remain committed to challenging ourselves to drive innovation in sustainability.
“This new step into the future of packaging highlights our ongoing commitment to shifting the dial towards minimising the impact of our products and being transparent about this process – the trials and the achievements.
“We are hoping to inspire progress across the wider drinks ecosystem, pushing us further towards a more sustainable future.”
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