The wine packaging segment remains strongly associated with glass, but changing consumer habits are gradually creating more room for other solutions. Convenience, packaging mobility and lower weight in transport and distribution are becoming increasingly important. This is particularly relevant for out-of-home applications, where shatter resistance, ease of carrying and faster product cooling matter. In this context, Alpla highlights PET wine bottles as a format that can address some of the market's emerging expectations. According to the company, this solution is an alternative to traditional glass bottles, especially where packaging functionality and reduced weight are important. The material also emphasises the raw-material and energy aspects associated with glass production, comparing them with the lower unit weight of PET packaging and the possibility of using recyclate.
According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, OIV, global wine production in 2024 amounted to about 226 million hectolitres. This corresponds to more than 30 billion 0.75-litre bottles. Assuming an average weight of 500 g for a conventional glass bottle, this totals about 15 million tonnes of glass. Producing this volume of packaging would require about 11 million tonnes of quartz sand, processed at around 1,500 degrees Celsius. For the same amount of wine packed in PET, the total packaging weight would be about 1.5 million tonnes. This would mean a difference of 13.5 million tonnes compared with glass, which according to the figures presented would correspond to 337,500 loaded trucks.
Lower weight and recycled content
The figures cited fit into the broader trend toward lighter and more resource-efficient packaging. Packaging weight affects not only user convenience, but also energy consumption and emissions in production and logistics. Alpla states that its PET wine bottle in a classic Bordeaux format weighs 50 g and can be made with up to 100 percent recycled material.
As Daniel Lehner, Global Sales Director Food & Beverage at Alpla, indicates, "Depending on the share of recycled material, CO2 emission savings can reach up to 50 percent. Even without recycled content, the PET bottle already reduces CO2 emissions by 38 percent compared with glass." According to the company, the solution responds to growing demand for packaging that is lighter, recyclable and suitable for mobile use.
Out-of-home applications
The material also highlights the functional properties of PET bottles. Compared with glass, this type of packaging can be up to 90 percent lighter, is shatter-resistant and cools faster. This matters in seasonal and recreational uses such as travel, camping, boating and outdoor gatherings. Greater resistance to mechanical damage during transport and use is also significant.
At the same time, it is pointed out that selecting a packaging material does not have to mean simply replacing one solution with another in every application. Glass remains a natural choice for some traditional consumption occasions, while PET can be a practical alternative where lower weight, safety and convenience are key. From this perspective, the development of wine packaging increasingly involves not only image-related considerations, but also logistical, environmental and functional parameters.
Sandcastle today, wine bottle tomorrow: there is more sand in glass than you might think. (Source: yes or no Media GmbH)
