Coca-Cola Enterprises leads transformation of drinks can design

Monday, September 22, 2008

LONDON, 22 September 2008 - Ground breaking work on can design by Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) and its project partners is making aluminium drinks cans five per cent lighter, saving supplies of one the world's rarest resources, and delivering major improvements to the carbon footprint of canned drinks across Europe.

A new report published today by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) finds the new can design will save 15,000 tonnes of aluminium across the EU each year. That's saving approximately 78,000 tonnes of CO₂ - the equivalent to taking nearly 25,000 cars off the road every year.

The new can specification has set a new standard across the EU with major beverage brands and brewers already using the lighter can. 6.5 billion light-weighted cans have already been produced and distributed. Next year across Europe over 15 billion cans will be produced using the new can design.

These fundamental changes to the can manufacturing industry were initiated by WRAP and are the result of a significant commitment on the part of the project partners. CCE led the technical development of the can, under full time project manager Christine Watson. The new can design was developed and extensively tested in Great Britain at CCE manufacturing sites, supported by WRAP, and in conjunction with BCME (Beverage Can Makers Europe).

The results establish two important firsts:

• This is the first time the body of the can has been light-weighted in the EU - previous weight reductions related to the base of the can. As a result, the body of the new can is 0.097mm wide - which is about the width of a human hair.
• Detailed scientific analysis of the can specification means that, for the first time, CCE and its partners can accurately predict the impact of proposed changes to the can design. This ensures no compromises on packaging quality. The cans are lighter but just as strong and robust as before.

Testing the limits of can design in this way also makes it easier for CCE and the BCME to identify options to further light-weight drinks cans in the future.

Hubert Patricot, European President for Coca-Cola Enterprises says, "This work has changed the design of aluminium drinks cans forever. At CCE we are committed to improving the sustainability of our business all the time. This project is delivering a significant reduction to the packaging carbon footprint of our business across Europe."

Richard Swannell, Director of Retail at WRAP says, "We are delighted to have achieved such ground breaking results and it just shows what cross-industry partnership working can deliver. Smarter packaging can deliver not only tangible cost savings to the supply chain, but also environmental benefits that help Europe tackle the joint challenges of climate change and resource efficiency."

The full WRAP report on the project is published in the 'Case Studies & Research' section at: www.wrap.org.uk/retail

Contact:

Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd
Sasha Qadri, Tel: +44 (0) 1895 844 828, Email: sqadri@cokecce.com

WRAP
Press Office, Tel: +44 (0) 1295 819 677, Email: Press.office@wrap.org.uk

Notes to editors

About Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc, the world's largest marketer, producer and distributor of the products of The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC). Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd manufactures and distributes TCCC products, as well as products for other brand-owners, throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and employs around 4,600 people.

CCE has been a leading innovator in developing more sustainable packaging, while always maintaining the highest levels of quality.

• In 2007, CCE revamped its iconic glass Coca-Cola bottle, maintaining its classic shape while reducing its weight by a fifth
• Today the redesigned 500ml PET bottle weighs just 24g - 40 per cent less than in 1994.

CCE is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its products and operations. The key areas of focus are around sustainable packaging, water stewardship, and energy and climate protection. There is more information about these areas at: www.cokecorporateresponsibility.co.uk/.

About WRAP
1. WRAP works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.
2. Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP's work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
4. More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on http://www.wrap.org.uk/