Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is actively investing in carbon conversion research to create more sustainable food packaging materials. The company has partnered with researchers at Swansea University to explore a revolutionary method of manufacturing ethylene, a crucial component in plastic production, such as the commonly-used HDPE for plastic bottle caps.
This research initiative aims to develop technology that can utilize CO₂ captured from the atmosphere as an alternative to fossil fuels during the ethylene production process. By doing so, CCEP seeks to offer a more sustainable approach to manufacturing plastic packaging.
This project is the latest addition to CCEP’s innovation investment engine, CCEP Ventures (CCEPV). It follows a series of investments aimed at driving innovation and sustainability progress, aligning with CCEP’s ambitious net zero 2040 goals.
Craig Twyford, the head of CCEP Ventures, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential of this research, stating, “We’re incredibly excited about the potential of this research. We know that making our packaging materials more sustainable is key to decarbonizing our business, and technology will play an important role in helping us solve this challenge.”
He added, “Through Ventures, we are committed to seeking out and funding solutions that will build a better future for our business, communities, and the planet. If scaled, this technology could significantly reduce our fossil fuel use and carbon emissions, accelerating a low-carbon future for CCEP.”
Professor Enrico Andreoli, head of chemical engineering at Swansea University and principal investigator of the project, emphasized the partnership’s dedication to developing next-generation carbon dioxide utilization technology. He said, “We’re really thrilled to be working with CCEP to develop next-generation carbon dioxide utilization technology. We take a practical approach in our research, focusing specifically on sustainable applications, and fossil-free ethylene production is certainly a key one.”