How a vodka brand was convinced to use plastic bottles

Polish vodka brand Sobieski works with Greiner Packaging to create plastic Vodka bottles

Light and shatterproof, the plastic bottle is now making inroads into the spirits sector as well. Source: Greiner Packaging International.

It may seem surprising to see vodka in a plastic bottle, but that’s exactly how the Polish vodka brand Sobieski is packaging its product. The company is now marketing its 1.75-liter premium product in plastic bottles from Greiner Packaging.

And the move makes perfect sense on closer inspection, Greiner says.

Plastic bottles are light as a feather, stable, hygienic and can be decorated in many ways. And while practical plastic packaging has already caught on in sports and leisure, for example, the next step seems to be the alcohol aisle.

Part of the Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits Group, Sobieski is marketed as premium vodka and popular in North America. As opposed to glass bottles, a 1.75-liter bottle made of plastic is lightweight, making transport from producer to POS not only simpler, but also cuts CO₂ emissions. In addition, the risk of breakage is reduced, consequently preventing potential product rejects.

And, after the vodka has been used up, the bottle can also be reused any number of times by the consumer. The plastic bottle is produced by Greiner Packaging, which relied on a combination of an appealing design and practicality for the customer.

“The raw material and the modern production approach used ensure greater bottle transparency, thereby highlighting the engraving of the brand logo even better. The bottles now completely match our client’s expectations to be a premium brand,” says Günter Ausserwöger, Kavo sales director.

The PET bottles also meet environmental demands since they can be easily recycled and reused. That means many plastic bottles become just plain bottles again, and fibers made from recycled PET are being used more and more in the textile industry as well, such as in the production of fleece products.

For more information: Greiner Packaging, www.greiner-gpi.com.

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Crystal Lindell has more than 10 years of journalism experience, and worked primarily at daily newspapers before joining BNP Media 2010. Before joining Food Engineering as the Managing Editor, she was the managing editor of a sister publication, Candy Industry Magazine, where she learned first-hand the joys of eating chocolate for breakfast. Lindell holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University.