Japan Tests Lightweight Paper-and-Plastic Wine Bottle as Alternative to Glass

The Institute of Enology and Viticulture at the University of Yamanashi and its partners are testing a paper-and-plastic wine bottle as a potential lower-impact alternative to conventional glass packaging.

The University of Yamanashi is testing the ēfbottle, a lightweight wine container made from paper and a plastic pouch, as a possible alternative to conventional glass bottles. [Photo: Institute of Enology and Viticulture at the University of Yamanashi]

Known as the ēfbottle, the container combines paper with a plastic pouch that can be separated for disposal. It was developed by Fuji Tokushu Shigyo Co., a food-packaging manufacturer based in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, in collaboration with the university.

The project is part of the university's “Shin Yamanashi University Wine Project.”

In May, the university said it had begun filling the ēfbottle with wine to assess its practicality, durability and potential environmental benefits.

The bottles used in the initial trial contained 750 milliliters of wine and were not intended for sale. The bottle is designed to retain a curved shape similar to a conventional wine bottle while allowing the paper and plastic components to be separated after use.

The university and its partners are examining storage performance, usability and the potential reduction in environmental impact from using a lighter container.

The project is still in the testing stage, and researchers plan to continue evaluating the container before determining whether it can serve as a practical alternative to glass bottles.

According to the figures cited in the report, a conventional 750-milliliter glass wine bottle weighs about 1.14 kilograms, compared with about 0.78 kilogram for the equivalent ēfbottle.

That makes the paper-and-plastic container roughly 32 percent lighter.

Reducing packaging weight could lower transportation-related emissions, although the actual environmental benefit will depend on the complete life cycle of the container, including manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal.