FRANCE – Pernod Ricard, a global spirits and wine leader, has introduced a lighter glass bottle for its Chivas Regal 18 whisky as part of its broader sustainability efforts.
The new 70cl bottle contains 25 percent less glass than its predecessor, significantly reducing the brand’s environmental footprint. Alongside this, Chivas Regal’s outer packaging has been updated to be fully recyclable.
This sustainable packaging will be rolled out across all markets where Pernod Ricard sells Chivas Regal 18.
The company estimates that the shift to the lighter bottle will save approximately 500 tonnes of glass annually, based on 2024 volume projections.
Nick Blacknell, Global Marketing Director of Chivas Regal, emphasized the company’s dual commitment to luxury and sustainability.
“At Chivas Regal, we are committed to continuing to premiumise our brand while making meaningful strides in sustainability. The new Chivas Regal 18 bottle not only showcases our dedication to luxury with its refined design but also highlights our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact,” Blacknell stated.
In addition to reducing glass usage, Pernod Ricard has made significant progress in carbon reduction through innovative technology.
Last year, the company implemented heat recovery systems at its Glentauchers distillery, resulting in a 53 percent reduction in carbon emissions.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with Piller Blowers & Compressors, recycles heat generated during the distillation process.
Pernod Ricard shared this technology with the wider industry, marking a step towards collective sustainability in spirits production.
Pernod Ricard rival Diageo has also been working on the weight of its bottles. Last month, it claimed to have launched the “world’s lightest” whisky glass bottle” for its Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra product.
Meanwhile, in line with its push for sustainability, the Chivas Regal whisky maker is set to construct the ‘largest malt distillery and maturation facility in Asia’, in the city of Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This new facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 13 million pure alcohol litres and create 700-800 direct jobs, along with numerous indirect employment opportunities in the region.
The distillery will be built with sustainability at its core, utilizing 100 percent renewable electricity and biomass from agricultural waste. It will also incorporate water-positive measures to further minimize its environmental impact.
Pernod Ricard noted that the facility will provide local farmers with new opportunities to cultivate high-quality barley, enhancing their livelihoods and promoting agricultural diversity in the area.
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