How can plastic be saved, CO₂ reduced and functionality maintained? Vilsa-Brunnen – in collaboration with KHS – has found the answer: in the form of the Vilsa Nix-Pack. Vilsa is the first German beverage manufacturer to replace the familiar shrink wrap with adhesive dots.
Less plastic, more future
The Vilsa Nix-Pack drastically reduces the use of plastic. “We want to offer our customers an environmentally friendly alternative that combines the highest quality and innovation. The decision to dispense with film is a clear commitment to more resource conservation and a cleaner future,” says Hans-Dietrich Kühl, managing partner at Vilsa-Brunnen Otto Rodekohr. According to Vilsa, it saves around 50 tons of plastic per year, which equates to around 2,000 kilometers of shrink film. “Compared to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with shrink film, we achieve a reduction in CO₂ emissions between 40 and 70%, depending on the bottle sizes. We save 62.5% of CO₂ emissions with the 1-liter NIX-PACK, for example,” Kühl calculates and adds, ”Replacing shrink film is an important step in terms of immediately visible waste avoidance in retail – who’s never seen a tattered-looking disposable shelf? The introduction of the Vilsa Nix-Pack is the next logical step in a series of innovations we have brought to the market in recent years.”
Packaging rethought: adhesive dots and cardboard carriers as key technology
What is special about the Vilsa Nix-Pack? It uses no plastic film at all and relies on strong adhesive dots to hold the bottles together. These are environmentally friendly and robust, resistant to environmental influences and do not hinder the recycling process. They do not need to be disposed of before the bottles are returned and, according to the company, have no impact on the recycling process.
Also, a cardboard carrier made from 100% recyclable material replaces the previous plastic handle and ensures safe transportation, even in cold, hot or damp conditions. After use, it can easily be disposed of in waste paper bins. The Nix-Pack is due to be launched across the board from May.
Consumers expect environmentally friendly packaging
When companies think more sustainably, they also do so in the interest of consumers. Consumers increasingly expect environmentally conscious packaging solutions that are both functional and sustainable. The Vilsa Nix-Pack shows how plastic can be reduced while at the same time increasing convenience and practicality.
Sustainability as a success factor in the industry
Packaging made from recycled PET that reduces CO₂ emissions is no longer the exception. Innovations such as Vilsa’s water six-pack show that the industry is increasingly moving towards minimizing the environmental impact of packaging. It is essential for them to keep pace and take advantage of trends like these to reduce their environmental footprint and increase their competitiveness.