Beverages in PlantBottle packaging from The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, are beginning to hit store shelves in select markets globally, initiating the company’s goal of producing 2 billion of the PET plastic bottles by the end of 2010.

 

PlantBottle PET plastic bottles are made partially from plants, which reduces Coca-Cola’s dependence on petroleum, the company says. PlantBottle packaging is currently made through a process that turns sugar cane and molasses into a key component for PET plastic.

 

Throughout Denmark, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light and Coca-Cola Zero in 500 ml. and 2 liter sizes are now available in PlantBottle packaging. A variety of products, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fresca and Dasani will be available in Western Canada in the PlantBottle beginning in December and for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. And for select markets in the Western United States, including Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, PlantBottle packaging will be used for sparkling brands and Dasani in several sizes, starting in January. Future launches are being planned in other markets, including Brazil, Japan and Mexico and for China’s Shanghai Expo in 2010.

 

PlantBottles are 100 percent recyclable, and preliminary research indicates that from the growing of the plant materials through to the production of the resin, the carbon footprint for the PlantBottle packaging is smaller than for bottles made with traditional PET. Ultimately, the company’s goal is to use non-food, plant-based waste, such as wood chips or wheat stalks, to produce recyclable PET plastic bottles.

 

PlantBottle samples also are being featured at the company’s bottler and investor event, “A Growing World of Refreshment, a 2020 Vision,” which began yesterday and concludes today in Atlanta.