Coca-Cola is set to trial a prototype of its new plant-based plastic bottle.
The company claims that its prototype container will be petroleum-free, except for its cap and label.
The move follows the soft drink producer’s first prototype in 2015, which used laboratory-scale methods to create bio-based paraxylene in its first stages of development.
Coca-Cola confirmed that a limited run of 900 bottles has been produced for distribution, using sugar sourced from corn.
The company has also announced the development of a full-scale biorefinery with Finnish bioeconomy producer UPM to commercialise the bio-technological breakthrough.
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According to the producer, the bio-plastic is created by combining sugars sourced from plant-based materials to make plant-based monoethylene glycol (bMEG), alongside plant-based paraxylene (bPX).
The paraxylene is then reportedly used to create plant-based terephthalic acid (bPTA).
The new bottles can be recycled alongside regular PET products in all major recycling facilities.
It follows the company’s commitment to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050, alongside its aim to use three million fewer tonnes of virgin plastic sourced from petroleum by 2025.
“For a long time, we have been working with partners to develop the right technologies to achieve 100 per cent plant-based content, aiming for the lowest possible carbon footprint,” Coca-Cola chief technical and innovation officer Nancy Quan said.
“It’s exciting that we have reached a point where these technologies exist and can be scaled by participants in the value chain.”
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