Sustainable spirits: Absolut trials biobased bottle caps

In Sweden, vodka behemoth Absolut is trialing biobased bottle caps ahead of commercial launch in 2023. 

Developed in partnership with Blue Ocean Closures, the caps are produced using FSC-certified, fiber-based materials. They are recyclable in paper streams but also biodegrade if they end up in the environment. 

 “We know that collaboration across the whole value chain sits at the heart of long-term progress and true environmental, economic, and social impact,” Absolut’s director of packaging development Eric Naf tells Edie.net. “As part of our circular way of thinking, we are delighted to be working with BOC to continue designing out single-use materials and using packaging innovation for the benefit of the planet.”

The cap trial follows a 2020 pilot where the company tested 2,000 paper-based bottle prototypes in the UK and Sweden. It is also evaluating biobased coatings to reduce non-renewable barrier materials in this concept. Absolut hopes to be fully circular by 2025.