Coca-Cola unveiled the world’s first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials earlier today at the World Expo in Milan, Italy.

PlantBottle packaging™ uses patented technology that converts natural sugars found in plants into the ingredients for making fully recyclable PET plastic bottles. The packaging looks, functions and recycles like traditional PET but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its resources.  

“Today is a pioneering milestone within our company’s portfolio,” said Nancy Quan, Global Research and Development Officer. “Our vision was to maximize game-changing technology, using responsibly sourced plant-based materials to create the globe’s first fully recyclable PET plastic bottle made entirely from renewable materials. We are delighted to unveil the first bottles at World Expo – a world-class exhibition where sustainable innovation is celebrated.”

Since 2009, Coca-Cola has distributed more than 35 billion bottles in nearly 40 countries using its current version of PlantBottle packaging, which is made from up to 30 percent plant-based materials. The use of PlantBottle packaging has helped save the equivalent annual emissions of more than 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, Coke estimates.

PlantBottle packaging maintains the high-quality package consumers expect but with the added benefit of being made from renewable materials. It can be used for a variety of packaging sizes and across water, sparkling, juice and tea brands.

Coca-Cola currently uses sugarcane and waste from the sugarcane manufacturing process to create PlantBottle packaging. Both materials meet Coke’s sustainability criteria to identify plant-based ingredients for PlantBottle material. These guiding principles include demonstrating improved environmental and social performance as well as avoiding negative impacts on food security.