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Heineken and Glass Futures seeks to develop sustainable low carbon glass bottles by developing technology and improving processes in manufacturing and supply chain

Heineken works continuously to reduce the ecological footprint of its products. While the company becomes active in its own production, Heineken takes on the challenge of decarbonising its value chain.

The company assumes that it will only be successful in close cooperation with its suppliers, NGOs and customers. Therefore, it has partnered with Glass Futures to embark on this journey together.

For this reason, Heineken has partnered with a non-profit research technology organization (RTO), Glass Futures and their suppliers EncircParticipation in a scientific study to better understand the methods used to decarbonise glass production.

As part of this study, the company replaced conventional natural gas with biofuel and increased the recycled content of its cylinders to 100% to produce low-carbon cylinders. For every 10% increase in recycled glass, we can reduce emissions by 5%.

In the early stages of the trial, 1.4 million bottles of Heineken will be produced, with the intention of entering the UK market in early 2021. The results will mean that in addition to the development of the current technical infrastructure for the production of biofuels, further developments can take place with the ultimate aim of introducing them on a large scale.

“For packaging, which accounts for 30% of our carbon footprint, our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by embedding the circularity of our products and developing innovative solutions for the industry. The partnership with Glass Futures and the pilot project with Encirc are one of the best examples of how we promote sustainability by working with NGOs and our suppliers. I am proud that our cross-functional team from corporate affairs, procurement, supply chain to retail was able to support the first steps towards decarbonising the glass industry, ”said Anca Olteanu, Strategic Sourcing Director Packaging at Heineken.

“Glass is infinitely recyclable and can become really circular. We will also need help from our consumers to responsibly dispose of their glass bottles so they can find their way back into new packaging and close the loop. “

Richard Katz, Chief Executive of Glass Futures, commented, “We are very excited to be partnering with one of the largest global beverage brands on projects like this attempt, which is already well on the way to setting new standards for lower carbon products and processes. This pilot is helping the sector move towards a more sustainable, carbon-free future and shows very clearly what can be achieved when industry, partners and donors work together. “

As part of Heineken’s “Brewing a Better World” sustainability strategy, the company continues to focus on reducing CO2 from its entire supply chain. Collaboration is key – innovation, testing and experimentation are at the heart of his ongoing effort to drop the C.

The company therefore welcomes this industry-wide initiative that brings together beverage manufacturers, glass suppliers, policy makers and research institutes to jointly drive the decarbonization of their sectors.