Paper-Based Beer Packaging

Beer brand Grolsch will now feature the Smurfit Kappa TopClip in place of plastic shrink wrap in an effort to reduce the use of the controversial packaging and make the brand more appealing to eco-conscious consumers. The plastic-free beer packaging topper is crafted from 100% renewable paper that's recyclable and biodegradable without reducing durability by too much. The move by the brand will see 100,000 kilograms of plastic being eliminated in the Netherlands annually.

The Grolsch Smurfit Kappa TopClip announcement was explained by Packaging Development Specialist at Grolsch Joost Nawijn who said, "In close cooperation with Smurfit Kappa, the inventors of the TopClip packaging, we are looking forward to marketing this sustainable packaging solution. An independent Life Cycle Analysis has shown that replacing the current plastic shrink wrap around the cans with the new TopClip packaging ensures a CO2 reduction of 36% compared to new plastic shrink wrap and 16% compared to recycled plastic shrink wrap. The total so-called eco costs are even halved. The combination of the sustainable character, the high-quality appearance and the ease of use made Grolsch choose this solution."