Dutch brewing company Heineken is working in partnership with global glass manufacturer Encirc and Glass Futures to trial bottles made from up to 100% recycled glass, using only the energy from burning low-carbon sustainable biofuels.

The pilot scheme, funded by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, will assess the relative resilience of the new bottles throughout the entire supply chain.

Currently in its early stages, the trial will see 1.4 million bottles of Heineken produced with the intent of hitting supermarket shelves in the UK. Findings from the trial will contribute to continuing work on sustainable glass solutions to advance the reduction of carbon in the industry.

“The trial is a huge step forward in finding a scalable solution to reducing carbon from glass manufacturing” said Matt Callan, Brewing and Operations Director, HEINEKEN UK. “Testing 1.4m bottles in the market will provide much needed insight into the practicalities of introducing an ultra-low carbon option with glass, and the results will inform further development with the eventual goal of introducing low carbon bottles at scale.”

 Rob Turvey, Sales and Marketing Director at Encirc added: “By choosing glass, Heineken benefits from packaging which is better for the environment, better for taste and better for the end-user. This ground-breaking biofuel trial has shown the world the fundamental role this material can play in supporting food and beverage organisations in their ambitions to de-carbonise supply chains."

 “We are delighted to be collaborating with Heineken and Encirc on this very important project utilising Glass Futures technology” commented Richard Katz, Chief Executive of Glass Futures. “This pilot is helping the sector move towards a sustainable zero carbon future and demonstrates very clearly what can be achieved when the industry, partners and funders all work together.”

www.glass-futures.org