Frugalpac, a British company specializing in sustainable packaging solutions, has recently signed a letter of intent with ITC Limited-Packaging and Printing Business, one of South Asia’s largest value-added packaging converters. This innovative partnership aims to introduce Frugal Bottles—a revolutionary paper-based packaging option—into the Indian market, targeting the decarbonization of the drinks industry.
The collaboration is set to enhance the promotion and demand for paper bottles in India, with plans to eventually manufacture these low-carbon alternatives locally. This move aligns with global trends in food and drink packaging, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
Made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food-grade pouch to contain liquids, the Frugal Bottle is five times lighter than traditional glass bottles. Notably, it boasts a carbon footprint that is 84% lower than glass bottles, along with a significantly reduced water footprint.
This partnership announcement comes just ahead of ProWine Mumbai, where Frugalpac will showcase its innovative Frugal Bottles and the machinery used for production. This event is an excellent opportunity for industry stakeholders to explore advancements in sustainable food and drink packaging.
The Indian alcohol market is projected to reach US$ 55 billion by the year’s end, indicating a significant opportunity for Frugalpac and ITC to engage with sustainability-conscious consumers.
This initiative also supports ITC’s Sustainability 2.0 strategy, which emphasizes sustainable livelihoods, combating climate change, facilitating a transition to a net-zero economy, ensuring water security, and fostering a circular economy for post-consumer packaging waste.
Frugalpac has been invited by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to participate in a British delegation at the Britain is GREAT stand during ProWine Mumbai on November 8-9 at the Jio World Convention Centre. This opportunity will further highlight its commitment to pioneering food and drink sustainable packaging solutions.
Earlier this year, Frugalpac also showcased its products at ProWein in Düsseldorf, indicating a broader strategy to penetrate international markets.
To date, more than 45 diverse beverage producers have launched 128 different SKUs, including wines, spirits, and olive oils, in the Frugal Bottle across 25 countries such as Australia, Japan, North America, Canada, the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.
Mr. SN Venkataraman, CEO of ITC’s Packaging and Printing Business, stated:
“Sustainability is hugely important to ITC. As a business, we are proud to have been at the forefront of bringing sustainable packaging solutions in the Indian market.
“ITC’s Packaging Business has had a strong association with the Alcobev industry in India through supplies of monocartons, rigid boxes, and labels. Frugalpac is the perfect business partner as we take another big step to help decarbonise the packaging for this industry across India and South Asia.”
“ITC’s Packaging & Printing Business was founded in 1925, so it’s fitting as we mark our centenary next year, that we work with Frugalpac to promote a paper bottle that not only cuts carbon footprint by 84% but also reduces the water footprint of bottles by four times too.”
Malcolm Waugh, CEO of Frugalpac, added:
“India’s alcoholic beverage market is ranked sixth globally in terms of revenue generation, so it was vital we collaborated with a company that has the experience, reach, and commitment to sustainability to bring our paper bottle revolution to South Asia.
“ITC has a long history of packaging expertise, making them the ideal partner for our Frugal Bottle and the machines that produce them.
“India represents a significant growth market for us, and we are confident that both beverage brands and consumers are eager to transition from glass to paper bottles.
“We’d like to thank ITC for undertaking this venture with Frugalpac and also the UK’s Department for Business and Trade for inviting us to ProWine Mumbai to raise awareness of the world’s first and only commercially available paper bottle for wines and spirits.”
Drinks brands and packaging companies interested in meeting Frugalpac at ProWine Mumbai on November 8-9 to discover more about Frugal Bottles and the production machinery can contact Frugalpac’s Commercial Manager for machine systems, Ciaran Dickson, at ciaran@frugalpac.com.
Frugalpac bottles will be prominently displayed at the Britain is GREAT stand in the UK Pavilion.
For additional information, please visit www.frugalpac.com or https://packaging.itcportal.com/.
