Bacardi has successfully completed the “world’s first” commercial production of a glass spirits bottle filled with hydrogen.
Earlier this month, Bacardi collaborated with premium glass manufacturer Hrastnik1860 in a trial aimed at advancing technology for a glass furnace fueled primarily by hydrogen. This initiative is designed to decrease greenhouse gas emissions linked to conventional glass bottle production.
For the trial, Bacardi utilized the St-Germain elderflower liqueur bottle design, ensuring an indistinguishable appearance from bottles produced through conventional methods.
In the trial phase, which involved the production of 150,000 70cl glass bottles for the brand, hydrogen accounted for over 60% of the fuel for the glass furnace, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30%.
Rodolfo Nervi, VP of safety, quality and sustainability for Bacardi, said, “Piloting this lower carbon glass production is another example of Bacardi leading the industry in environmental best practice”.
“We will take the learnings from the trial to help shape a pathway to hydrogen-fuelled glass production and create a blueprint for others to follow. It’s only through making change as an industry that we can bring significant change to our impact on the environment.”
Peter Čas, CEO of Hrastnik1860, added, “Successfully producing lower emission, premium glass bottles at a commercial scale, with absolutely no compromise on quality, has made all the hard work worthwhile”.
“Like Bacardi, we are committed to developing new innovations that lower emissions while maintaining premium quality. This revolutionary technology proves the two can go hand in hand, and we are now taking the first steps in bringing it to market.”
The updated bottles will be available in bars and stores in the coming weeks.