Global drinks manufacturer, Coca-Cola is launching a new paperboard packaging solution across Europe. As the brand looks to eliminate plastic and excess packaging in its supply chain, it has recently announced that it will be using KeelClip on its multipack cans.
Made from recyclable paperboard, the KeelClip consists of a top board and keel. The cans clip into the top board and the ‘keel’ stabilises the pack (much like the keel of a ship). Hence the name KeelClip and according to the company its a first for the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink industry.
Recyclable paperboard
Coca-Cola HBC will invest €15 million in KeelClip and will begin the roll-out in Ireland and Poland early next year. This will be followed by Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Romania. Coca-Cola HBC said it will remove shrink-wrap from all its can multipacks in all EU markets by the end of 2021. All European markets will be using the KeelClip packaging, a move Coca-Cola HBC claim will save 2,000 tonnes of plastic a year.
As well as replacing plastic wrap on multipack cans, the new KeelClip minimises the amount of paper/card required. Multi-packs of eight cans or less will use the KeelClip, while larger multi-packs will be bound by a carton pack.
Welcome news
The announcement that Coca-Cola is changing its packaging is great news. Earlier in the year, the brand admitted to producing three million tonnes of plastic packaging a year.