Coca-Cola Europacific Partners injects US$42M into expanding German refillable bottling infrastructure

GERMANY – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) in Germany has invested over €40 million (US$42.53m) in returnable bottles infrastructure to increase consumers’ access to drinks sold in returnable glass bottles and advance sustainability in its value chain.

The investment will fund a new filling line in Lüneburg, Northern Germany, along with a new packaging machine for glass bottles in Mönchengladbach, West Germany, boosting CCEP’s plans to expand the availability of drinks sold in returnable glass bottles.

With the use of glass bottles expected to grow across Germany over the coming years, this investment is said to help drive progress on environmental sustainability ambitions while meeting market demand.

CCEP in Germany introduced a new 1-liter glass bottle for Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in 2019.

The new filling line in Lüneburg is expected to help decrease carbon emissions from the packaging by shortening the distance traveled from the production line to end consumers in the North of Germany.

The CCEP investment follows another €130 million (US$138.22m) investment in the company’s reusable packaging over the last three years, in new filling systems and components and reusable containers.

The investment is set to generate jobs in the region, with the Lüneburg plant scheduled to go into operation by the summer of 2024.

By investing in refillable solutions, the organization aims to eliminate packaging waste and lower its carbon footprint.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners aspires to reach net zero by 2040 and reduce emissions across its value chain by 30% by 2030 as part of its This is Forward sustainability action plan.

Coca-Cola unveils new sprite taste and identity

Coca-Cola has re-vamped Sprite’s visual identity and enhanced the soft drink’s flavor to “differentiate” between its original and Zero Sugar offering. The revamped taste and design will feature in the brand’s upcoming campaign, during the second quarter of the year.

According to reporting by Talking Retail, while both Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar will see an enhanced lemon-lime flavour, the variants will be further differentiated, with the Zero Sugar offering a lighter taste profile.

The updated packaging design will also make it easier for consumers to tell the two apart, with Sprite displaying white text and its zero sugar alternative in black text.

“The refreshed taste will be accompanied by the roll-out of a new packaging design that brings a clean and stylish edge to the classic Sprite look, with sleek new white and black text that will clearly differentiate Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar whilst delivering impact on shelf,” Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, vice president of commerical development, Martin Attock said.

He added that the “bold and iconic” design will roll out across all formats, including Sprite’s 500ml and 2ltr PET bottles, 330ml cans, and multipack cans, as well as 330ml glass bottles for the licensed channel.

The move comes along with the revamping of PepsiCo soft drinks brand 7UP’s packaging design to elevate its international positioning.

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Further Reading:

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