The Monterey Wine Company, a custom wine production facility in California, has purchased the second paper bottle machine from Frugalpac for export. This machine is expected to double paper bottle production in North America, reaching a total of five million bottles per year. Lord Offord, UK Minister for Exports, praised this collaboration as a great example of how the US and UK can work together to increase trade and meet their Net Zero goals.
Frugalpac’s Frugal Bottle is a British innovation that helps the drinks industry decarbonize. By collaborating with the Monterey Wine Company, the Frugal Bottle reduces delivery truck emissions by utilizing flat recycled paperboard and pouches assembled in the winery. These bottles, made from 94% recycled paperboard and weighing only 83g before being filled, have a carbon footprint six times lower than glass bottles. Additionally, they offer enhanced shelf presence with 360° branding.
The Monterey Wine Company is located in King City, California, which is at the heart of wine production in the US. With its proximity to California’s main wine appellations, the company already provides a dedicated filling service for Frugal Bottles. Now, with the new machine, MWC can also produce the bottles in California, offering an end-to-end service for the US drinks industry.
According to a recent poll by ProWein, 11% of wine merchants and producers worldwide plan to list paper wine bottles in their stores within the next two years. The interest in paper bottles is even higher in the US (14%), the UK (29%), and Norway (33%). Shannon Valladarez, director of personnel and finance-general manager at the Monterey Wine Company, expressed pride in being the first US company to produce the Frugal Bottle. By switching to this sustainable packaging, drinks brands can reduce a wine bottle’s carbon footprint by 84%.
Frugalpac CEO, Malcolm Waugh, emphasized the significance of this collaboration for both Frugalpac and the US drinks industry. With the availability of paper bottles made in the US, American wine and spirits brands can now make the transition from glass to paper. This investment by MWC will facilitate the shift towards more sustainable packaging and is expected to spark a paper bottle revolution across America.
In conclusion, the partnership between Frugalpac and the Monterey Wine Company showcases the potential of sustainable packaging in the food and drink industry. The use of paper bottles offers a solution to reducing carbon footprints and meeting consumer demands for more environmentally friendly options. With increased production and availability, the adoption of paper bottles is likely to continue to grow in the coming years.
