Wine industry pledges to work on lightweight glass challenge

Companies across the wine industry have agreed to step up co-operation on the issue of lighter weight bottles. The agreement came at the close of a forum held by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) and WRAP to address concerns raised by wine retailers and brand-owners on lightweight wine bottle supply.

The meeting in London on 14 March 2008 marked the first time the wine industry and its supply chain has come together to discuss what can be done to increase the availability of lightweight glass bottles to the UK wine sector.  The meeting brought together leading retailers, producers and brand owners together with the major UK glass manufacturers.

The forum heard presentations from WRAP, Constellation Europe, Kingsland Wine & Spirits, Quinn Glass and Ardagh Glass UK, setting out the work already being done across the supply chain.

Debate centred on barriers to the broader introduction of lightweight bottles, likely UK demand and the levels of commitment and capital investment required to answer industry needs.

The forum agreed to step up communication amongst bottle makers, fillers, brand owners and retailers, in order to build understanding of the challenges facing suppliers in obtaining lightweight glass bottles.

John Corbet-Milward, WSTA Head of Technical and International Affairs said:

“This is a challenge facing the whole industry because it’s clear the UK wine sector needs to reduce the thousands of tonnes of packaging waste it produces every year.

“We are pleased to have brought industry players face to face and delighted they have agreed to work more closely in future on the issue of lighter weight bottles.” 

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