French wine merchants begin using PLA bottles to package spirits
Recently, French cognac producer A. de Fussigny launched a new brand Angély, claiming to be the first spirits brand to choose PLA (polylactic acid) to make bottles. The new packaging weighs only 51 grams and was developed for its fragrance spirits, gin and vodka series. The model is not exclusive and can also be adopted by other brands.
Using bioplastic bottles to hold spirits is the latest sustainable packaging initiative launched by A. de Fussigny. The cognac supplier became the first brand to adopt Green Gen Technologies' linen fiber bottles in 2022. Angély, which consists of gin and vodka, is said to be the first spirits series to use 100% plant bottles, made in the Charente-Maritime region of France. "
The challenge was to design a 100% plant-based range of spirits, including every component from the bottle to the cork and shrink sleeve," said Virginie Isambert, head of purchasing and planning at A de Fussigny.
Both the bottle (produced by Lyspackaging) and the sleeve are made from PLA, while the labels are offset printed on Fedrigoni's Modi White 100% recycled FSC paper. The stopper consists of a polymerised cork body and a PLA head. Combining the natural properties of cork with technology that improves the performance and durability of the stopper, it is produced using "advanced processing techniques" to ensure excellent quality while retaining the ecological benefits of cork. "Thanks to this innovation, cork stoppers can now be used for transparent spirits, offering a more natural and durable alternative to synthetic stoppers, while maintaining product quality and avoiding the risk of discoloration," explained Isambert. "
Compared to a flint glass bottle weighing 750 grams, the PLA bottle is 93% lighter, weighing just 51 grams when empty. According to A. de Fussigny, this reduces CO2 emissions by 83%. "This bioplastic represents a major advance in packaging solutions. Derived from plant material, PLA offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics that is biodegradable and compostable under industrial conditions. This choice significantly reduces our carbon footprint," adds Isambert.
To encourage spirits brands to adopt the technology, the company has worked with Lyspackaging to develop a non-exclusive PLA bottle mold, meaning other brands can also use the model.
