Coca-Cola Extends Support to Futuristic Project to Develop New Plant-based Plastic

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Beverage giant Coca-Cola has announced support to a new project that aims to replace drinks containers with a new plant-based plastic material. Carlsberg too has extended support to the project.

The Plastic Bottle Project is being run by The Paper Bottle Company (Pabaco)- a joint venture between paper packaging material developer BillerudKorsnäs and bottle manufacturing specialist ALPLA. Under the project, Dutch biochemical company Avantium has been entrusted with the task of developing a completely plant-based material that is strong enough to hold drinks.

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The material would use plastics made from plant sugars and are said to decompose within a year using a composter, thus putting an end to plastic pollution. If left outside in normal conditions, it will decompose in a few years. The material, resilient enough to hold carbonated drinks, will hit the shelves by 2023.

Tom van Aken, Chief Executive, Avantium stated that the project remains on course despite the ongoing crisis. It plans to announce partnerships with other food and beverage businesses later this summer. The new plant-based plastic has notable sustainability credentials as it does not use fossil fuels and also because it can be recycled, he added.

Initially, the project aims to manufacture 5,000 tonnes of plant-plastic per annum. The production is expected to grow in line with increased demand.