Fully recyclable PET ketchup bottles made partially from plants

25-Feb-11

The Coca-Cola Company and H.J. Heinz Company have entered a strategic partnership that enables Heinz to produce its ketchup bottles using Coca-Cola's breakthrough PlantBottle™ packaging. The PET bottles are made partially from plants and have a lower reliance on non-renewable resources compared with traditional PET plastic bottles. The partnership could transform how food is packaged around the world. PlantBottle™ packaging looks, feels and functions just like traditional PET plastic, and remains fully recyclable. The only difference is that up to 30% of the material is made from plants. The plant material is produced through an innovative process that turns natural sugars found in plants into a key component for PET plastic. Currently, PlantBottle™ is made using sugarcane ethanol from Brazil, the only source widely recognized by thought leaders globally for its unique environmental and social performance. “PlantBottle™ is revolutionizing plastic, and our partnership with Heinz is paving the way for industry-wide collaboration,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “This partnership is a great example of how businesses are working together to advance smart technologies that make a difference to our consumers and the planet we all share.” Heinz Chairman, President and CEO William R. Johnson says “Heinz Ketchup is going to convert to PlantBottle™ globally, beginning with our best-selling 20-ounce variety of Heinz Ketchup, which will reach consumers this summer.”