Australia, 6th January 2025 – Packamama, a pioneer in sustainable wine packaging, is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 feasibility grant from the Australian Government under the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), Renewables and Low Emissions Round. This grant – part of $1.43 million for wine packaging, safe drinking water, and energy efficiency in commercial fishing – will support Packamama’s efforts to test the technical and commercial viability of creating sustainable packaging for Australian wines, including for some premium wines and longer shelf life commercial wines.
Supported by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and Wine Australia, the initiative addresses a significant challenge for the wine industry: reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the high-quality standards associated with premium wine packaging. Manufacturing wine packaging and transporting packaged wine accounted for 74% of the industry’s carbon emissions in 2020-21, due to the weight of glass bottles and their energy-intensive production. Packamama’s innovative approach aims to deliver a lighter, more sustainable solution that meets consumer expectations for premium wine quality.
A Leap Forward in Sustainable Wine Packaging
Packamama’s project will build upon its successful 100% recycled PET eco-flat bottle, designed primarily for commercial wines, to test for a new packaging solution that supports some premium wine aging and longer shelf life commercial wines for export.
Key focus areas include:
- Advanced Materials: Researching polymers and performance additives to overcome oxygen permeability and aroma absorption, enhancing shelf life and wine protection.
- Innovative Design: Digitally simulating the bottle design and shelf-life performance to achieve the performance and aesthetic standards expected of some premium Australian wines.
- Scalable Production: Exploring manufacturing technologies to enable wide-scale adoption across Australia and beyond.
Santiago Navarro, CEO & Founder of Packamama, said, “We are excited to lead the way in transforming the wine industry’s approach to packaging. This grant funding from the Australian Government allows us to accelerate our vision of combining sustainability with functionality to better meet the demands of more Australian wine producers and consumers, including those overseas. By moving beyond traditional glass, we can significantly reduce emissions and contribute to Australia’s net-zero goals.”
Driving Industry Sustainability
Packamama’s initiative aligns closely with the Australian wine industry’s Emissions Reduction Roadmap, which targets a 42% reduction opportunity that can be achieved by 2030. With the premium wine sector expected to grow steadily, the development of sustainable packaging solutions is critical to ensuring the industry thrives while minimising environmental impact. This will also benefit commercial wines.
Looking Ahead
The project officially commenced on 16th December 2024 and will involve comprehensive feasibility studies over the next four months. Packamama is committed to studying the technical and commercial viability of delivering a solution that will advance the future of sustainable wine packaging, including for some premium wines and longer shelf life commercial wines, and enhance Australia’s reputation as a sustainable innovation leader.
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For more information, images, or to request an interview, please contact: press@packamama.com
About Packamama
Packamama is the climate tech packaging business designed for a circular economy and offering packaging protecting Mother Earth. Believing in the far-reaching opportunity that packaging offers to be a force for good, Packamama is on a mission to help create a low carbon future in the drinks industry, starting with better wine bottles; multi award-winning, eco-flat bottles that are made from 100% recycled PET, saving space, weight, and energy to slash emissions. This tackles the wine industry’s carbon footprint hotspot of round, glass bottles. Packamama is powered by a production network of industry leaders spanning Australia, UK, Belgium, France, and shortly US and South Africa too. A passionate team provides forward-thinking wine brands, companies, and retailers with the packaging and production to implement Packamama’s IP-protected portfolio of innovative, climate-friendly bottles into their businesses. Website | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook