The machinery is a paper replacement for beverage cans; it uses fiber-based packaging for can multipacks in place of plastic rings and shrink wrap, and it is the first of its kind to be installed in the US.
As an added bonus, the finger holes and easy-remove cans make KeelClip a convenient and comfortable way to transport your beverages.
The assembling procedure, according to the company, also allows for cans to be angled for optimum brand presence.
Graphic Packaging projects that over 550 million packs worldwide will have employed the technology by the year 2021, resulting in a plastics savings of over 1.3 million kilos.
After the equipment is set up, Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages will distribute the fiber-based packaging solution to stores in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware on behalf of Coca-Cola.
Because of this change, about 3.1 million cases annually will no longer require plastic packing, saving 34,000 kilogrammes annually.
Co-owner Paul Mulligan expressed his company’s excitement at becoming the first in the United States to join with Graphic Packaging to use their new packaging method.
For the foreseeable future, we look forward to working with Graphic Packaging on this sustainable packaging, as we have found that collaboration between bottlers and packaging producers results in the greatest impact in the fight against plastic waste.
Graphic Packaging vice president of commercial operations and beverage packaging, Bret Arnone, had this to say about their new partnership with Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages: “We are delighted to partner with Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages as we continue to roll out KeelClip technology around the world. This technique has been a huge success wherever it has been implemented, earning 10 honours in its field and establishing the norm for can multipacks in over 20 countries. Most importantly, it has been shown to aid our business partners in reducing their use of plastics, which is essential for a greener future.