Carlsberg trials 'bio-based and fully recyclable bottles' in its largest ever pilot scheme

Carlsberg Group will sample 8,000 fibre bottles in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, Poland, Germany and France.

The bottles will be placed into the hands of local consumers, customers and other stakeholders through select festivals and flagship events, as well as targeted product samplings.

The bottle has a plant-based PEF polymer lining, which has been developed by Carlsberg’s partner Avantium. They describe how PEF is made entirely from natural raw materials, is compatible with plastic recycling systems, and can degrade into nature should it end up outside national recycling systems.

The lining is also reported to be 'a highly effective barrier between the beer and the fibre outer shell, protecting the taste and fizziness of the beer better than conventional fossil-fuel-based PET plastic'. The outer shell, produced by the packaging company Paboco, consists of sustainably-sourced wood fibre and 'has the added benefit of insulative properties which can help keep beer colder for longer, compared to cans or glass bottles'.

The bottle is said to be 100% bio-based apart from the cap, which is currently needed to ensure product quality.