Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners Germany launches new 0.85-liter PET bottle

2025-03-07 1:51 min Bottle development and design

Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners Uxbridge, West London, United Kingdom

Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners Germany is launching a new 0.85-liter PET bottle. It will be available from April 2025 for the Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite and Mezzo Mix brands.

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New PET bottle for Coca-Cola & Co. currently only available in Germany

The 0.85-liter PET bottle is currently only available in Germany from Coca-Cola Europa Pacific Partners, a consumer goods company with operations in 31 countries. The bottle, made of 100 percent recycled PET, is filled at production sites in Dorsten, Genshagen and Knetzgau. After 17 years, this is Coca-Cola's first new packaging in Germany in the area of large disposable PET bottles over 0.5 liters.

Why is Coca-Cola introducing the 0.85-liter PET bottle for Coca-Cola & Co.?

The number of smaller households has increased significantly in recent years and will continue to grow, according to the German Federal Statistical Office. There are also people who enjoy a second glass of carbonated soft drink every now and then.

''In carbonated soft drinks, we are seeing a trend towards smaller pack sizes. Up to 10 percent of soft drink volume in food retail is in packages between 0.5 and 1 liter.'' - Arne Koslowski, Vice President Commercial Development, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Germany.

Same price as the 1.0 liter PET bottle for Coca-Cola & Co.?

The recommended retail price for the 0.85-liter bottle is significantly lower than that of the 1-liter disposable PET bottle. ''We are introducing a new package to the market and filling a gap in the range," says Arne Koslowski.

1.5 million euros invested in plant remodeling

The new 0.85-liter PET bottle for Coca-Cola & Co. was filled for the first time at the beginning of March 2025 at the Knetzgau plant in Lower Franconia, Germany. The Genshagen and Dorsten plants followed. Approximately 1.5 million euros was invested in the conversion of the three plants.

(Photo credit: Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners)

''The new PET bottles have a different blank than the previously filled bottles and therefore a different height and diameter. As a result, we had to expand several machines and systems to accommodate the new dimensions. The first filling went off without a hitch.'' - Xaver Labonté, Plant Manager, Knetzgau Plant, Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners, Germany.

In order to be able to fill the 0.85-liter bottles in the plants, new molds were installed in the blow molding machine. The PET bottles are formed from bottle blanks just a few centimeters in size.

One of more than 300 types of packaging at Coca-Cola in Germany

The new PET bottle is one of more than 300 types of packaging used by Coca-Cola in Germany. In addition to well-known brands such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Mezzo Mix and Sprite, the product range also includes Fuze Tea iced teas, Apollinaris and ViO mineral waters, spritzers such as ViO Schorlen and Lift Apfelschorle, and Powerade sports drinks. The various brands are available in a variety of package types and sizes. PET and returnable glass bottles, PET non-returnable bottles and cans in sizes ranging from 0.2 to 2 liters, depending on the container. Coca-Cola Europa-Pacific Partners Germany is working on making all packaging more sustainable - single-use and reusable.

www.cocacolaep.com