Wine in can launch for Russian market
Marine Express, a wine distributor in Russia, has chosen 250ml slim cans for the launch of its Elsa wine-in-can brand.
Elsa, a semi-sweet Liebfrauenmilch produced in the Rheinhessen region by Burgherrn Weinhandels, was previously packaged in 750ml glass bottles.
• Read the report
Natural cork a winner in US
According to a recent survey in the US, a consumer preference for natural cork closures has contributed to the outstanding success of a New Zealand wine, a conclusion that has been underlined by two new studies.
• Read the report
Cans that communicate
In the Russian beer market, Klinskoye is using Rexam’s Thermochromic ink technology on its Klinskoye Light brand to indicate to consumers when the beer is chilled and, in Klinskoye’s words, “expose its best features”.
• Read the report
Thermochromic inks from Crown Beverage Packaging are being used on Molson Canada's cans of Coors Light – the white snow-capped mountains turn a deep shade of blue when the beer is "as cold as the Rockies".
Grolsch is also using a new temperature sensitive ink as part of its Cool campaign. The ink, devloped in parnership with Rexam, begins to change colour at 11°C, and turns blue when the beer has reached the ideal drinking temperature (between 6° - 8° C). The new ‘Cool meter’ will be available on all Grolsch 330ml cans in the Netherlands from this summer on.
Functionality combines with graphic impact
HD printed aluminium bottles combine functionality and image for Le Sirops Gourmandes premium range of fruit syrups developed by Systeme U. Boxal's 33cl shaped aluminium bottles are printed in high definition offset with the six flavours, framboise, mangue, poire, pêche, caramel and violette presented as striking photographic images on a silver offset background. This was achieved through close cooperation between the end-customer marketing and development teams, the filler Teisseire and Boxal graphic development specialists.
Styled to suit the Sprizzerol lifestyle
Sprizzerol, the light Italian aperitif produced from wine, aromatic herbs, and other natural ingredients from the Dolamite Alps to “an ancient and secret family recipe" is now available in aluminium cans to suit modern Italian lifestyles.
• Read the report
Green report
The world’s leading producer of natural cork products, Corticeira Amorim, has released its third Sustainability Report, providing details of a series of environmental initiatives undertaken throughout 2008.
• Read the report
Closure talk
• Read the report on Dr Miguel Cabral's recent presentation on Amorim’s R&D into the comparative efficiency of cork, plastic and aluminium stoppers
Rexam, the UK-based beverage can manufacturer, says it will soon be able to offer its aluminium Fusion bottle in customised shapes. This next phase in the bottle’s development commences next month (June 09).
• Read report
Italian style for spirits
The Piedmonte based Guala
Closures Group has introduced Alba, a spirits closure that combines
the latest aluminium and poly-mers technologies with Italian style.
The new closure has a smooth profile in opposition
to the standard roll on pilferproof closure, where the thread is
very visible once the closure is applied on the bottle neck.
Brazilian colour
Anheuser-Busch InBev Russia has launched Brahma in a new vivid aluminium can designed by Claessens|Cartils to emphasis the Brazilian summer beach party character of the brand.
Unusual ales by BrewDog
BrewDog, the Scottish beer brand has created a sea-aged ale, Atlantic IPA. The barrels spent two months aging on-board BrewDog founder, James Watt's fishing trawler.
• Read the report
• Read about the labels
| Packaging | Archived News May - Dec 09 |
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Fighting the counterfeiters In a special report, theDrinksReport looks at the issue of counterfeit packaging in the alcohol industry and how the fight is being taken to the criminals. James Graham talks to Richard Burhouse (left) at global security, brand protection, document authentication and personal ID company Payne Security. • Read the report |
Glass wine bottles that dare to be different |
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| Tbmin brings eco-bottle to US market Tbmin Beverages, a Mexico City-based manufacturer of glass wine and beer bottles, is offering its eco-friendly products to US beverage companies. The bottles are manufactured with reduced emissions and minimal impact on the environment, the company says, and use completely recycled raw materials. They are 30 percent lighter than standard bottles and are supplied in 100% recycled 12-bottle cartons. “Our bottles have proven to be a success in Mexico, so we’re happy to be offering them to US distributors and, ultimately, environmentally conscious consumers,” says Luis Felipe Trevino, CEO of Tbmin Beverages. Up to one million bottles can be produced per week in the Mexico plant. There are four wine and multiple beer bottle designs. The producer, which has a presence in five countries expects to sell 3.5m bottles in the US by the end of 2009, while continuing to foster strategic alliances with US beverage distributors. Tbmin resently sold its two tequila brands El Borrachito and Bling Bling to US-based beverage company Yummy Beverages to focus on marketing its proprietary glass bottles. |
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| Designing for recyclability A guide has been produced by the Packaging Resources Action Group to inform designers and packaging specifiers about all the things they need to consider when developing packaging for ultimate recovery and re-use at the end of its life cycle. • Download the pdf New research into wine packaging preferences Despite the emergence of alternative packaging materials, recent research commissioned by glass manufacturer O-I reveals that wine-drinking consumers still overwhelmingly prefer wine packaged in glass bottles • Read the report Further support for cork quality in US Nomacork introduces NomaSense |
Sidel turns traditional beer packaging design on its head |
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Chivas Regal as designed by Christian Lacroix |
FreshCase: a stylish take on bulk wine packs |
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 Available in four different market segmentations – Elegance, Prestige, Premium, Classic Value – the closures feature technical solutions that offer environmental advantages with advanced closure design. |
Amorim introduces Topseries at Luxepack |
Boxing with a difference Cadolux of Norther Ireland demonstrated at Luxepack its range of folding gift boxes. Made from magnetic board which starts flat then simply folds and 'clicks' together into an easy-open, easy-close presentation box, which be reused again and again, it makes a fine alternative to the gift carrier bag. |
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| Outstanding packaging design recognised The Pentawards, the global packaging design competition, which this year attracted 750 entries from 39 countries, has announced the winning design houses for 2009. In addition to a Diamond Pentaward and 5 Platinum Pentawards, the international jury also attributed 31 Gold Pentawards among the 44 categories in competition this year. Silver and Bronze Pentawards were also issued. The Luxury category Platinum award was been won by Dragon Rouge (France) for L’Or de Martell – a limited edition bottle retailing at €3,000. |
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Among the Gold winners in the Luxury category were Capsule (US) for Double Cross vodka; Eho Package Design (Japan) for Pus One East’s King; and Partisan de Sens (France) for the Dom Ruinart inversion gift box. And among the Golds in the Beverages category, were: The Taboo Group in Australia for Nelson Beer bottles; Hatch Design (US) for Jaqk Cellars wine bottles; MayDay (UK) for a limited edition Jack Daniels presentation (see below); Stranger and Stranger (UK) for Solerno blood orange liqueur; and Wallace Church (US) for Moving Pictures vodka. The Platinum winner in the Beverages category was Turner Duckworth (UK and US) for Coca Cola Summer 2009 |
| Renewed interest in linerless labels Linerless labeling is experiencing a revival of interest in the light of the packaging industry's focus on sustainability and reduced costs. In response, market research and consulting firm AWA Alexander Watson Associates has published a timely evaluation of the current market and technology characteristics of linerless labeling: The Linerless Label Market: a market overview of current and future opportunities. Visit www.awa-bv.com, for more information. |
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Eco-bottles gain wider UK acceptance |
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FirstCape, the UK’s largest selling South African wine brand, has enhanced its environmental credentials by promoting the use of lighter bottles on their labels. Manufactured by Consol Glass, the bottles use substantially less energy to produce, and lead to more efficient fuel usage for cargo ships coming from South Africa. |
Sainsbury’s has identified 1,800 tonnes of potential glass savings from across its own brand wine range. By focusing on its top 20 lines, by sales volume, and working with suppliers to identify lightweight alternatives at source and in the UK, over 500 tonnes of savings have been made to date. The supermarket has also set brand guidance for the development of new products in this sector. For more information on the GlassRite project visit the Wrap website. |
Normacorc wins Gold for innovation The PreSens Fibox 3 LCD consists of an oxygen analyzer, which is equipped with an optical fibre that carries the light to a pad, which reacts to oxygen. The corresponding luminescence of the sensor is directly proportional to the concentration of oxygen in the area around the sensor. The small sensors are easy to use in any kind of bottling conditions, and they react incredibly accurately to variations in oxygen concentration. They can be used to measure dissolved oxygen as well as oxygen present in the bottle neck. |
| Winery communicates eco-credentials on capsule of lightweight bottle Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has moved its Sunrise brand into ‘Eco Glass’ lightweight bottles with the eco-message clearly communicated to the consumer on the capsule. The producer has reduced the weight of its bottles across 20 brands, affecting around 68.4 million bottles. Other eco- initiatives by the producer include geo-thermal and solar power technology, waste reduction and energy conservation, which will be rolled out throughout 2009/2010. Giancarlo Bianchetti, head of Concha y Toro’s Sustainable Development Programme, comments: “We were adamant to keep the same level of quality and strength in our bottles so we engineered the shape of the bottle to use less glass – consequently less energy is used in the production process.” Sunrise Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and Sunrise Merlot 2008 are both available in Waitrose, priced at £5.99. |
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Bottlecan boosts sales for Mexican beer brand
Tecate, one of Mexico’s most popular beers, and a leading Mexican export, has enhanced its image and, it reports, "dramatically increased demand" by offering its cerveza in cool, lightweight and unbreakable aluminum bottles produced by CCL. |
Rexam's bottlecan goes into full production |
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| Gigantic whisky bottle makes Guinness Book of Records The world’s largest whisky bottle has been unveiled and put on display in a restaurant in Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland. The restaurateur along with the local whisky shop owner collaborated with Tomintoul Distillery to produce the 164 kg, 105.3 litre bottle of Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet 14 year old single malt Scotch whisky, which stands 1.44m tall. The bottle was manufactured in Germany and hand filled, labelled and corked at the distillery. Pictured is Robert Fleming, distillery director for Angus Dundee, pouring in the first of 150 70cl bottles of Tomintoul. Photo: WC Imaging |
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| Airline supports wine cork recycling scheme ReCork America, a wine cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim, the largest producer of natural cork closures, is was joining with American Airlines and Sodexo, American’s club services management vendor, to collect and recycle used wine corks from AA Admirals Club lounges at 24 airports in the US and San Juan, Puerto Rico. • Read the report Oeneo reduces carbon footprint of Diam closure Closure producer, Oeneo Bouchage, claims to have reduced the carbon footprint of its Diam technical closure by 12 per cent, bringing it closer in line to the carbon footprint of natural cork. • Read the report Crown reports shift to cans by US craft brewers |
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Recloseable stand-up pouch for frozen alcoholic drinks A drinks pack is among the 10 finalists in the Pack Expo ‘Selects’ innovation competition The Grape Ranch Frozen Rose pack by Ampac Flexibles and PPI technologies is constructed of a multi-layer laminate film designed to contain alcoholic beverages and to withstand freezing and storage in below-freezing conditions. Attendees at the packaging exhibition in Las Vegas (Oct 5-7) can cast their votes for the winning pack at the many kiosks around the halls, or online at Packexpo.com. Winners will be announced after the show. |
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Lean and Green Bordeaux bottle range grows |
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| Low cost natural cork developed for mass market A natural cork wine stopper that is so competitively priced that it can undercut alternatives by as much as 50%, has been launched by Corticeira Amorim, the world’s largest producer of cork closures. Acquamark is a premium whole machine-punched cork with a water-resistant coating to keep all the cork particles in place while providing maximum elasticity for the bottle-neck seal. It is aimed at the high-volume sectors of the wine trade, currently accounting for almost 80% of the market. • Read the report |
Sustainable packaging guide The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (Europen) and Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) Europe have launched a guide to help businesses better understand how packaging can contribute to a sustainable economy. |
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| Trends report: wine in cans Can packaging for wine, much maligned by purists in previous years, is now at the forefront of development in the wine industry, due to sustainability concerns and cost-cutting initiatives while acknowledging the need to cater for younger audiences and individual lifestyle demands. As the global financial crisis forces consumers to trade down and casts a heavy shadow on manufacturer profit margins, alternative wine packaging is increasingly coming under the spotlight. • Read the report by Euromonitor Consumer Reactions to wine in cans • Watch what women between the ages of 18 and 34 are saying about drinking wine from a can. • Read more about the research Trends report: choices grow for beer |
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Wine in cartons: a growth market Wine in cartons is the fastest growing sector of the still wine market. Driven by convenience, concern for the environment and value for money, more consumers are turning to carton-packed wine. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of wine in cartons is expected to be 4.1 percent over the next four years, compared to 2.5 percent for glass bottles over the same period. Over the last three years 116 new wine products were launched in Tetra Pak cartons, made from paper – a renewable and recyclable resource. |
Organic wines in eco-pouches |
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| O-I team collect awards for Lean+Green bottles O-I’s Lean+Green lightweight wine bottles (featured below) win top award at the 2009 Packaging Evolution Awards in Sydney. Lean+Green was a finalist in three categories; the Beverage Packaging Action Award, Most Innovative Solution In Packaging Waste Management and Most Outstanding Demonstration of Packaging Waste Management in Australia. Its win in the Most Innovative Solution In Packaging Waste Management category was followed by the prestigious overall Best In Show award, selected from the winners of the event’s 10 categories. Pictured l-r: Greg Ridder - president O-I Asia Pacific, Jacqueline Moth - general manager marketing and sales, Asia Pacific, Dieter Lehmann - communications manager, Asia Pacific, Michael O'Connor, New South Wales sales team, and Andrew Yeoland, national marketing manager. |
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World winning Champagne canister |
| First ISC awards for design The International Spirits Challenge included awards for packaging and design for the first time this year with a total of 12 Gold medals being awarded to a mix of major industry players and small independent producers. Bacardi scooped three Golds for the livery of its Corzo tequila trio (responado, silver and anejo) created by Fabien Baron while, at the other end of the scale, U’luvka vodka, was rewarded for its unique look and the attention to detail applied to all elements of its branding. Other Gold winners were Potocki vodka; Vivus vodka; Beefeater 24 gin; Greenhall’s Bloom gin; Solerno Blood Orange liqueur; Bruichladdich Islay single malt Scotch whisky, Waves, Rocks and Peat; Scapa 16; and Glenmorangie Signet. Any special trophies to be awarded for packaging and design will be announced at the ISC awards presentation dinner in October. |
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| Low-cost alternative to beer kegs A bag-in-box system can offer a low-cost alternative to the traditional keg, especially when it comes to export, according to supplier Rapak. The format, which is suitable for all types of beers, has been adopted by a leading cruise liner as a simple and cost-effective means of providing draft beer on board its ships. The ability to pack beer in bag-in-box is made possible by the removal of CO2 from the beer after brewing. |
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The CO2 is then reintroduced into the beer via a ‘carbonator box’, which is placed in each on-trade outlet between the bag-in-box and the pump head. The versatility of bag-in-box for all types of drinks packaging – including water, beer and juice as well as wine – will be demonstrated by supplier Rapak at Drinktec. |
| Carlsberg's Irbis beer gets bold new image Carlsberg Kazakhstan (Derbes Breweries) has given its leading brand Irbis a new look to strengthen its position in the Kazakh upper mainstream beer segment. Claessens Cartils developed the design featuring the bold and masculine image of an irbis (snow leopard), which is embossed on the bottle. |
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Cans rock at Austrian Festivals Austrian beer brand Ottakringer has introduced a rock festival special called ‘Ottarocker’ in 500ml aluminium cans. The cans, produced by Rexam in Enzesfeld, feature a simple, yet premium design printed with a matt varnish. Sigi Menz, CEO at Ottakringer comments: “On-the-go consumption is on the increase, however with the summer months approaching, consumers will be looking for convenient, safe packaging to buy whilst at outdoor events. For us, the can is a winner. Not only is it convenient and safe, its 360° branding possibilities and our choice to use Rexam’s matt varnish printing technique, means that we can offer a premium, high quality product with enhanced benefit to our loyal consumers.” |
 Trust in the provenance of wine should not be a concern for collectors |
DNA markers to foil counterfeiters A provider of DNA-based security solutions has supplied its SigNature DNA-marked wine labels to guarantee the authenticity of premium wines and protect the integrity of its brand to a high-end New York state vineyard in a pilot project. Long Island-based Applied DNA Sciences’ (APDN) SigNature DNA markers have been incorporated into premium wine labels for Paumanok Vineyards. |
| Counterfeit wines are estimated to account for as much as five percent of the market. “For many wines, the interest of serious collectors may one day be coincident with interest from counterfeiters. Concerned vintners need to protect their future values today. Paumanok’s new wines will have a unique DNA label that, when authenticated, insures their originality,” says Dr James Hayward, APDN CEO. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products that cannot be copied. It is scalable and can be customised to protect short, exclusive product runs as well as mark thousands of cases or millions of bottles. The markers can be added to printing inks, paper or packaging elements as part of established and existing processes. |
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| O-I invests in a greener glass future Glass container manufacturer O-I has invested Aus$3.5m in equipment and trials at its Adelaide plant to reduce the weight and environmental impact of selected wine bottles. Using modified designs and NNPB technology, 750ml claret and burgundy screwcap bottles manufactured in French Green will be between 18 and 28% lighter. The investment enables globally competitive lightweight wine bottle offerings with scope for further weight reductions in the future. • Read the report |
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Miguel's film festival triumph Cork producer Amorim’s Save Miguel video won two awards at Oenovideo, the International Grape and Wine Film Festival held at Nuits-Saint-Georges, in Burgundy. The production was awarded Best Original Screenplay and also picked up the Peoples’ Choice award presented by the festival’s host city. In just three months, the online video content associated with the campaign was viewed more than 450,000 times with the website attracting 50,000 unique visitors in its first month. At the same time, a FaceBook group has attracted more than 5,000 members |
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Alternative Champagne closure that "pops" Champagne house Duval-Leroy has replaced the traditional corks on bottles of its 2004 vintage Clos des Bouveries with a "revolutionary" metal closure that still gives the familiar "pop" sound when removed. The new device called the Maestro from Alcan Packaging Capsules was tested on a limited number of bottles and presented at the London International Wine Fair. The Drinks Report editor Felicity Murray was the first in the UK to open a bottle: "It was remarkably easy yet there was still that feeling of anticipation and celebration plus, of course, the wine was perfect." • Read the report • Watch the video |
 Drinks producer Lucas Bols has trialled the latest near field communication technology NFT) from brand security specialist AC Brains Cocktail recipes and other product information can be communicated using this new packaging technology. • Read report |
NFC chips in labels NFC-chips are relatively cheap. Chip manufacturer PolyIC says they are very easy to integrate into packaging, labels or paper. BP Labels in the UK is a forerunner in this field. NFC versus RFID |
Closures: Horses for courses The wine closure debate has rattled on for over two decades but with cork seeing renewed popularity through better quality controls and an enhanced choice of products, it’s becoming more a matter of personal preference. Felicity Murray reports. The best choice of wine closure is an on-going
debate. Each manufacturing sector, be it natural cork, synthetic
cork, glass stopper or metal screwcap, has research statistics
which will outweigh all others in their favour. It seems to be
an argument that will have no closure. • Download feature pages as published in Drinks International January 09 issue |
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