
SABMiller launches PET bottles as part of its sustainable development agenda
SABMiller, one of India’s premier beer manufacturers, launches the first-ever PET bottling line on the Indian subcontinent
Programme of 'sustainable packaging'
With ten breweries across nine Indian states, SABMiller plc is now using the first-ever line of PET bottles on the Indian subcontinent and in the South East and Pacific region. The new line is part of the company's global 'sustainable packaging' strategy and part of its wider sustainable development agenda. "SABMiller has a well developed programme which covers ten priorities ranging from HIV AIDS to water and energy usage reduction," explains Martin Lehmacher, SABMiller India Technical Director.
Rapid growth and fast-emerging markets
SABMiller is one of the largest brewers, with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents. Its history is one of exceptional growth: over the past 21 years it has grown rapidly from its original South African base into a global operation with a wide portfolio of brands, such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft and Grolsch. SABMiller is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world with a wide range of markets, including China and India.
Highlights
- First-ever PET bottling line on Indian subcontinent, SE Asia and Pacific region
- Flash pasteurisation
- Bottle dryers and warmers
- Carton packing equipment
- Preform dumper
Overcoming a market dominated by returnable glass
bottles
SABMiller has experience of bottling beer
in PET in Eastern Europe and invested in the Sidel
technology along with flash pasteurisation, bottle dryers and
warmers, carton packing equipment and preform dumper to combat any
problems. It can be difficult to find the right grade of
plastic that can hold the beer without destabilising problems.
However, the overall volume cost of bottling in PET is
lower. SABMiller is currently launching its Haywards 24145,
Knockout and Foster's beer brands in 1 litre PET bottles in
Maharashtra with plans to expand throughout the country. The
beer market in India is dominated by returnable glass bottles but
Sidel's non-returnable PET packaging gives SABMiller flexibility in
addressing the bottle shortages during peak periods.
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