The Danish brewer Carlsberg revealed on June 22 that it is putting its bio-based and fully recyclable bottles into the hands of consumers for a large-scale trial, in a push to improve sustainability efforts. 

The pilot will see 8,000 of Carlsberg’s new Fibre Bottles being sampled in eight Western European markets: Denmark, Sweden, Norway Finland, the UK, Poland, Germany, and France. Customers and other stakeholders through select festivals and flagship events.  

Through the pilot, the brewer aims to gather feedback on people’s experience of the product, which will inform the next generation of design. 

Stephane Munch, VP Group Development at Carlsberg, said: "We are delighted to bring our new Fibre Bottle into the hands of consumers, allowing them to experience it for themselves. This pilot will serve a greater purpose in testing the production, performance and recycling of this product at scale."

A significant feature of the Fibre Bottle is its plant-based PEF polymer lining developed by Carlsberg’s partner Avantium, an expert in renewable chemistry. PEF is made entirely from raw materials, is recyclable and degradable. In addition, PEF functions as an effective barrier between the beer and the fibre outer shell, preserving the taste and fizziness better than its fossil-fuel based counterpart PET plastic. 

"Identifying and producing PEF, as a competent functional barrier for beer, has been one of our greatest challenges - so getting good test results, collaborating with suppliers and seeing the bottles being filled on the line is a great achievement!" added Munch

The outer shell of the bottle, produced by packaging company Paboco, is made up of sustainably sourced wood fibre and is also bio-based. This shell has insulative properties which can help keep beer colder for longer, compared to cans or glass bottles. 

The company claims the bottle is 100% bio-based apart from the cap, which is needed to maintain the quality of the beer and is recyclable. 

Going forward, Paboco, Carlsberg and partners in the wider Paper Bottle Community are exploring alternative fibre-based bottle caps, with a generic solution expected in 2023. Carlsberg will continue development, together with Avantium and Paboco, to arrive at a tailored 3.0 solution that is equally suitable for primary beer packaging, using this year's consumer feedback and Paboco's developments.

Sustainability advancements have also included the brew itself.  In collaboration with barley malt supplier Soufflet, Carlsberg has brewed a beer with barley that has been cultivated using fully organic and regenerative agricultural practices.