The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, unveiled the world’s first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials at the World Expo - Milan. PlantBottle packaging pushes the boundaries on sustainable innovation by using groundbreaking technology to create a fully recyclable plastic bottle made from renewable plant materials, the company says.

PlantBottle packaging is The Coca-Cola Co.’s vision to develop a more responsible plant-based alternative to packaging traditionally made from fossil fuels and other non-renewable materials. PlantBottle packaging uses patented technology that converts natural sugars found in plants into the ingredients for making PET plastic bottles, it says. The packaging looks, functions and recycles like traditional PET but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its scarce resources, the company adds.

“Today is a pioneering milestone within our Company’s packaging portfolio.” said Nancy Quan, global research and development officer for The Coca-Cola Co., in a statement. “Our vision was to maximize game-changing technology, using responsibly sourced plant-based materials to create the globe’s first fully recyclable PET plastic bottle made entirely from renewable materials. We are delighted to unveil the first bottles here at World Expo - a world-class exhibition where sustainable innovation is celebrated.”

PlantBottle packaging maintains the high quality package consumers expect but with the added benefit of being made from renewable materials, the company says. It can be used for a variety of packaging sizes and across water, sparkling, juice and tea beverage brands. Today, the company uses sugarcane and waste from the sugarcane manufacturing process to create PlantBottle packaging, it says. Both materials meet The Coca-Cola Co.’s established sustainability criteria used to identify plant-based ingredients for PlantBottle material. These guiding principles include demonstrating improved environmental and social performance as well as avoiding negative impacts on food security, it says.

Since the 2009 launch, The Coca-Cola Co. has distributed more than 35 billion bottles in nearly 40 countries using its current version of PlantBottle packaging, which is made from up to 30 percent plant-based materials. It is estimated the use of PlantBottle packaging since launch has helped save the equivalent annual emissions of more than 315,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

The Coca-Cola Co. plans to continue investment in its award-winning PlantBottle packaging.