The Coca Cola Company

Coca Cola PlantBottle Technology

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Authors

Kartik Iyer

Kartik Iyer

Tejal Jadhav

Tejal Jadhav

Divya Jain

Divya Jain

Anupam Jain

Anupam Jain

Jhalak Jain

Jhalak Jain

Megha Gupta

Megha Gupta

School

K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research

K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research

Professor

Preeti Rawat

Preeti Rawat

Global Goals

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

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Summary

  • Coca Cola has come up with a unique and innovative technique called PlantBottle packaging Technology
  • Aimed at reducing the dependence on fossil fuel-based materials as compared to PET bottles
  • Positive impact on the environment as the PlantBottle is made up with 30% of plant material

Innovation

The Plant bottles are made of plastic, but made from plants including sugarcane and by-products of processing sugarcane, rather than petroleum products, which leave a much larger environmental footprint. It was developed in partnership with Virent, a processor of biofuels and biochemicals.

The technology has enabled them to eliminate the potential for more than 315,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions — equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from burning more than 743,000 barrels of oil — and save more than 36 million gallons of gas.

Coca Cola PlantBottle Technology

Inspiration

Innovation comes from inspiration, and The Coca-Cola Company is greatly inspired by the very people who drink their beverages. Their consumers expect them to deliver the beverages they know and love in a package that meets their needs such as convenience and safety, but also in a package that is environmentally considerate. PlantBottle™ packaging has been meeting consumer expectations since 2009. The first-ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants looks and functions just like traditional PET plastic, but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources.

Overall impact

We know that natural resources are stressed and communities are forced to do more with less. PlantBottle Technology™ has the potential to reduce the amount of petroleum used around the world and increase the use of renewable materials, therefore helping address our shared global environmental challenges. PlantBottle™ packaging material is made by converting the natural sugars found in plants into a key ingredient for making PET plastic. Today, we are using sugarcane and waste from the sugarcane manufacturing process

Business benefit

PlantBottle is used in most of North American Coca Cola plants for packaging and has eventually increased sales. This has not only increased the trust of the customers towards the brand but has also created a remarkable statement of protecting our environment. The overall cost of packaging has now stabilized and is lower than that of normal PET bottles as fewer chemicals are used to manufacture them. With efficient machinery in place, production and packaging costs is projected to be lower in future too.

Social and environmental benefit

Coca Cola realised that natural resources are stressed and communities are forced to do more with less. PlantBottle Technology™ has the potential to reduce the amount of petroleum used around the world and increase the use of renewable materials, therefore helping address our shared global environmental challenges. PlantBottle™ packaging reduces dependence on fossil fuel-based materials compared with traditional PET plastic, which reduces the Company’s dependence on non-renewable resources.

Interview

SWATI BHURA, SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCE MANAGER

Photo of interviewee

Business information

The Coca Cola Company

The Coca Cola Company

US
Year Founded: 1892
Number of Employees: 10000+
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Its portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. More than 1.9 billion servings of their beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. Coca Cola is consumed on earth and in space.