Cognac’s origins lie in the 16th century with the arrival in France of the Dutch. They bought plenty of French wine but struggled to keep their wine drinkable during its journey home, and thus began distilling it into eau-de-vie. Renowned as one of the most important Spirit Drinks and a luxury product, symbol of tradition, and elegance, the packaging design must translate its values for its overall presentation and global recognition, especially abroad. Nevertheless, when we consider a 700ml glass bottle we must take into account that it comes with some challenges – it requires significantly reinforced packing materials to avoid breakages, and per each bottle 500g glass adds to the liquid making it a heavier load to transport in fair amounts, which becomes an export issue regarding weight limits and that in airports glass is considered hazardous.
GEPACK was the first PET manufacturer able to replicate glass bottles in PET – from body, design, and neck finish. The challenge was accomplished – PET bottles visually indistinct from glass, i.e. shiny, beautiful and strong – a bottle that you must touch and feel to know that it is not glass but rather PET. Answering the market needs PET readily became the alternative for fine Spirits in exports, travel sales, and airports transport.
Cognac producers cautiously started to complement their lines with PET bottles. Pleasantly surprised with the amazing outcome both on presentation and function, orders started to increase quickly, new models were being developed. Today GEPACK supplies more than 40% of PET bottle needs for the Cognac Region – Protected Designation of Origin (POD) producers. The most impactful brands also decided to develop custom made formats, to further their own product lines.
The full range of spirit drinks bottles comprises capacities from 30ml to 1,75 L and use the same closures used in glass bottles, allowing our Clients to use the same filling lines for both types of bottles. In the aviation industry the transition from glass to PET bottles had a significant impact regarding weight and on-board security.
GEPACK’s commitment to provide support and technical expertise was and still added value finding solutions for our Clients processes and needs whenever necessary.
As far as sustainability PET bottles also bring relevant advantages as they are resource efficient, recyclable, can be made with recycled materials being part of true circular economy and manufactured at GEPACK with renewable energy sources, for the benefit all.
