Absolut Vodka has started making its drinks bottles by using part hydrogen energy to power glass furnaces, as part of ambitious targets to slash its carbon emissions by 2030.
A partnership with Ardagh Glass Packaging means large-scale bottle production can be achieved by the drinks company using part hydrogen energy.
Absolut says the move is needed to accelerate radical change to solve the significant sustainability challenges that all glassmakers and buyers of glass face. It added that the green initiative has been funded thanks to surplus emission rights built up at its Nöbbelöv distillery in Sweden, which it argues is one of the most energy-efficient in the world.
In its sustainability report for the 2021-22 financial year, parent group The Absolut Company said in order to meet 2030 carbon reduction targets, it is vital to drive innovation with partners and find new ways to fund sustainability projects amid global economic challenges and uncertainty.
Such tie-ups and green funding, including the hydrogen energy initiative, it said, will “make or break” the company’s ability to hit carbon reduction goals.
Ongoing sustainability work across the business includes coffee liqueur brand Kahlúa mapping all steps of its supply chain to identify any potential risk areas. The group said all of its key ingredient, Arabica coffee, now has full traceability and is solely sourced from the Mexican farming communities participating in the ‘Coffee for Good’ scheme.
Meanwhile, according to the report, Malibu bottles are now made with 30% recycled plastic and a partnership alongside Plastic Bank to support a plastic recycling ecosystem in the Philippines has been extended into 2023.
Stéphanie Durroux, CEO of The Absolut Company, commented: “Sustainability continues to be very high on our agenda despite the global economic, logistical and geopolitical challenges we have all faced.
“Some events, such as Europe’s energy crisis, have served to intensify the climate change debate, yet as our latest sustainability report highlights, we are as determined as ever. The past year has reinforced the fundamental importance of our sustainability and responsibility strategy to business resilience and growth.”
Absolut Vodka’s main distillery has reduced carbon emissions significantly too, according to the report, with bottles reportedly now made from 53% recycled glass.
Durroux added: “Partnerships with like-minded organisations and having the courage to make bold decisions that help fund innovative green initiatives are going to be evermore crucial on our carbon reduction journey.”
Read more about greener energy and power in retail on Green Retail World
[Image credit: The Absolut Company]
