Coca-Cola reduces can weight by 5%

Coke has cut the weight of the body of the 330ml can, which is now 0.097mm wide, the equivalent of a human hair.

This is the first time that the body of a can has been lightweighted; previous projects have involved making the base of the can lighter.

The new can design was developed and tested at Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) sites in Wakefield, Milton Keynes and Sidcup between July and November 2007, supported by Wrap (Waste Resources & Action Programme), in conjunction with Beverage Can Makers Europe (BCME).

BCME includes aluminium can manufacturers Ball Packaging, Crown and Rexam.

A report published today (22 September) by Wrap said the new can design will save 15,000 tonnes of aluminium across the EU each year.

Coca-Cola said the cans are lighter but as strong and robust as previously. They will be used for all of the drinks firm’s products including Regular and Diet Coke, Cherry Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Dr Pepper and Lilt.

CCE European president Hubert Patricot said: “This work has changed the design of aluminium drinks cans forever. This project is delivering a significant reduction to the packaging carbon footprint of our business across Europe.”

Around 6.5 billion lightweighted cans have been produced and distributed across Europe so far.

In 2009, more than 15 billion cans will be produced using the new design.

Last year CCE lightweighted the 330ml glass Coca-Cola Contour bottle and cut 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year as part of its pledge to design out packaging weight growth by 2008 and achieve an absolute reduction in packaging by 2010, as part of the Courtauld Commitment.

Popular Articles