7 Beverage Packaging Changes
By Steve Holtz on Feb. 16, 2018STAMFORD, Conn. -- Nestle Waters North America on Feb. 15 introduced new, 100% recycled plastic packaging for its Nestle Pure Life Purified Water brand.
The move is one of several recent beverage packaging changes announced in recent weeks. Here's a look at Nestle Waters' innovation and others six others making their way to convenience-store shelves ...
1. Nestle Pure Life
Nestle Pure Life's new 700-mL bottle will be made from 100% food-grade recycled plastic, known as rPET. The new package is available starting in February on retail store shelves in North America.
"Environmental sustainability is an integral part of [Nestle Waters'] purpose and heritage," said Antonio Sciuto, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Nestle Waters North America, Stamford, Conn. "This new bottle made from 100% recycled plastic for our namesake brand is the latest way we're satisfying consumer demand for healthy hydration on the go and inspiring consumers to recycle."
The new Nestle Pure Life bottles feature a modern, premium design, along with the new branding launched last year under the banner of "Pure Life Begins Now" that aims to elevate the importance of quality water in people's lives. The launch of a bottle made entirely from recycled plastic reinforces the brand's leadership and purpose: to inspire a healthier and brighter future that starts with water, the company said.
Nestle Pure Life 700-mL bottles can be purchased at grocery, mass merchants and convenience stores across the country.
2. Red Bull
Red Bull Energy Drink has issued a limited-edition can featuring global soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., commonly known as Neymar Jr. The release of the Red Bull Neymar Jr. can, available around the world during the month of February, begins a global contest to win a chance to play on or support Neymar Jr.’s team this summer in Brazil.
Santa Monica, Calif.,-based Red Bull and Neymar Jr. are teaming up to host an international search for dedicated fans who want to be a part of Neymar Jr.’s Five World Finals Team in Brazil. Fans are encouraged to submit creative photos, videos or boomerangs on Instagram using the hashtags #NeymarJrsTeam and #Contest, showcasing why they should be chosen.
The contest runs through June 24, 2018.
The limited-edition Neymar Jr. can will be sold as a single 12-ounce Red Bull Energy can line-priced with Red Bull products.
3. Blue Moon
Chicago-based MillerCoors will roll out 15-packs of its Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-style wheat ale, and the brand will introduce its fast-growing Mango Wheat on draft. The 15-packs of cans are scheduled to hit retail stores nationwide March 1, replacing Blue Moon 12-packs of cans.
“We know drinkers are increasingly looking for flavorful refreshment and more convenient ways to enjoy Blue Moon in the summer,” said Chris Steele, senior marketing manager for the brand. “In the past, we were not necessarily invited to the party during this key time frame because we’ve been in glass.”
By moving into a larger pack size in more portable and more resilient cans, Steele said, Blue Moon can capture more of those occasions while providing drinkers “with a great value on top of that.”
4. KonaRed
San Clemente, Calif.-based KonaRed, maker of premium Hawaiian coffee products, unveiled new labels and multiserve 32-ounce bottles for its line of ready-to-drink KonaRed Cold Brew Coffees.
Inspired by the tropical island vibes of Hawaii, each design communicates KonaRed’s commitment to its rich Kona coffee heritage, all-natural ingredients and what it calls nature’s best-kept secret, nutrient-dense Hawaiian coffee fruit valued for health properties, the company said.
Available in Original and Hawaiian Vanilla recipes, the 32-ounce varieties give consumers a larger, value-oriented bottle located next to KonaRed’s 12-ounce single-serve options in store, it said.
The new products feature Hawaiian island palm silhouettes and earth tones as the foundation for each design.
Suggested retail price is $3.99 for 12-ounce bottles and $9.99 for 32-ounce bottles.
5. Innis & Gunn
Innis & Gunn, a U.K.-based craft-beer brewer, has unveiled a new look with a unifying packaging rebrand across its range of core barrel-aged and craft-brewed beers.
The new packaging design takes inspiration from Innis & Gunn’s home city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and marks a return to its roots in barrel-aging, the company said. Each day at 1 p.m. at Edinburgh’s iconic castle, a large gun sounds in a tradition dating back to 1861 when it allowed ships nearby to set the maritime clocks they needed to navigate the world’s oceans and deliver renowned Scottish products. The distinctive swirls and ripples on the packaging are a nod to the nearby “One O’ Clock Gunn.” The new look will extend beyond packaging into point-of-sale materials.
"The new look for Innis & Gunn in store and in bar is designed to share our story and craft credentials with consumers," said Dougal Gunn Sharp, Innis & Gunn founder and master brewer.
Innis & Gunn is imported to the United States through United States Beverage, a premium craft and import beverage sales and marketing company located in Stamford, Conn.
6. Alkaline88
The Alkaline Water Co. Inc. has made its Alkaline88 bottled water available in a 1.5-liter bottle and a 1-liter 6-pack.
The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company packages and sells its alkaline water in 1-gallon, 3-liter, 1.5-liter, 1-liter, 700-mL and 500-mL sizes, and 1-liter six-packs, to more than 34,000 retail locations in all 50 states.
“Our retailers encouraged us to develop additional multiserving SKUs for their Alkaline88 customers," said Richard Wright, president and CEO of The Alkaline Water Co. Inc. "Market data shows that the public has a preference for a 1.5-liter bottle and six-packs. We feel both these new ... SKUs address existing consumer demand and should significantly increase our sales in [fiscal year] 2019.”
The Alkaline Water Co. has developed an innovative, state-of-the-art, proprietary electrolysis process that produces healthy alkaline water for a balanced lifestyle, the company said.
7. Portland Cider
Portland Cider Co., Portland, Ore., is now using sustainable six-pack boxes. In accordance with its sustainability standards, the cider maker has transitioned from recyclable plastic Pak-Tek carriers to a six-pack box made of 100% recycled corrugated cardboard.
"Our fans and retail partners have been asking for us to make this change, and we’re pleased to make the switch,” said marketing director Helen Lewis. “It’s a more convenient package, offering six 12-ounce cans of cider to share with friends or enjoy over the weekend.”
The new six-pack box packaging will phase in through the next several weeks, debuting with the company’s Sangria cider, which hit store shelves in cans for the first time in January.