Description
Lithuanian market analysis indicates that current glass packaging is not competitive because it is too heavy and expensive. Huge glass costs, high logistics costs and pollution taxes increase the price of mineral water so that’s way it becomes unattractive to consumers and reduces the competitiveness of the company. Foreign manufacturers produce lighter bottles and their production costs are significantly lower than production costs of Lithuanian producers. If Lithuanian producers could make a lighter glass bottle they could compete with foreign manufacturers. The project objective is to create 4 types of new eco-design glass bottles. It is expected to generate up to 40% lighter glass bottles and to reduce production costs by about 38%. The reduction in electricity production and consumption of raw materials will reduce Lithuania's dependence on imports of raw materials and energy.
Summary of project results
High glass costs (up to 67%) of product price, high mineral water logistics costs and pollution taxes increased mineral water price so that it became unattractive for end users and reduced the competitiveness of the the mineral water producers company. In order to solve this problem one of the largest mineral water producers in Lithuania, Birštono mineraliniai vandenys, has created and installed four different glass bottles of non-alcoholic drinks in a new eco-design. These innovative products weigh considerably less, because less raw materials are used in production. It helps to reduce environmental pollution and increase the competitiveness of the company. According to the global beverage market trends, demand for mineral water with natural properties is growing and consumers are looking for more ecological and economical mineral water packaging. In the beverage industry, glass packaging remains the most popular since it is the only packaging that can maintain the freshness and taste of the product without the addition of materials and is "environmentally friendly", i.e. from natural materials, it is less polluting because it is recycled many times. An analysis of the glass container market in Lithuania has shown that the current glass packaging is not competitive because it is too expensive and expensive. Eco-design glass bottle is made from 70 percent recycled materials. It produces 50% less carbon dioxide emission and is 40% lighter. It is estimated that due to this innovation, the company's production costs will decrease by 38%, electricity consumption will decrease by 10%, the cost of logistics –by 18% and the pollution tax – by 40%". It is expected that these innovative solutions will increase the company's sales and exports. By creating a new glass bottle, the company has created 5 new workplaces.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner participated in all Project activities, shared experience and contributed in finding proper eco-design solution for glass bottle and in consulting on the tools for glass recycling increase within society.