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Diageo’s new sustainable packaging company to launch paper-based spirits bottle

Diageo, a food and beverage conglomerate, is launching a sustainable packaging technology company called Pulpex Limited with what it says is the first 100 per cent plastic-free paper-based spirits bottle.

Diageo – maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness – is partnering with venture management firm Pilot Lite on Pulpex Limited.

The paper bottle will debut with Johnnie Walker whiskey in early 2021.

Pulpex Limited has established a partner consortium of FMCG companies in non-competing categories including Unilever and PepsiCo, with further partners expected to be announced later in the year.

The consortium partners each plan to launch their own branded paper bottles in 2021 based on Pulpex Limited’s design and technology.

Pulpex Limited has developed its scalable, paper-based bottle from sustainably sourced pulp to meet food-safe standards. The bottle will be fully recyclable in standard waste streams.

The company says the technology will allow brands to rethink their packaging designs, or move existing designs into paper.

Pulpex Limited’s technology allows it to produce a variety of plastic-free, single mould bottles that can be used across a range of consumer goods.

The packaging has been designed to contain a variety of liquid products.

“Innovative solutions and partnerships are critical to driving meaningful progress toward a circular economy,” says Simon Lowden, chief sustainability officer of PepsiCo in a statement.

“The Pulpex consortium is well positioned to deliver sustainable packaging at scale and across industries, having impact beyond what any organization could achieve alone.”