Novosibirsk launches production of brewing products in the lightest bottle in Russia

Dear colleagues, we are publishing news about a member of the Association "StekloSouz" of Russia LLC Siberian Glass (Sibsteklo):

In Novosibirsk, on March 23, at the plant of the brewing market leader AB InBev Efes, the official start was given to the industrial production of products in the lightest glass bottle in Russia, which is made in the glass complexes of Siberian Glass LLC.

The solemn ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Sergey Semka, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Agriculture of the Novosibirsk Region Evgeny Leshchenko, Minister of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship Development of the Novosibirsk Region Andrey Goncharov, Acting President of AB InBev Efes Oraz Durdyev, President of RATM Holding Eduard Taran , General Director of Siberian Glass LLC Anton Mor.

Recall that the implementation of the project for the production of the lightest bottle is part of the Agreement on strategic partnership in the field of sustainable development, signed by the regional government, Sibsteklom and AB InBev Efes. Samples of the ultra-light bottle were presented in June 2022 as part of the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

OOO Sibirskoe Steklo (an asset of RATM Holding) is one of the leading manufacturers of glass containers in Russia, the largest glass waste disposal plant in Siberia. At present, the capacity of glass complexes is 850 million glass products per year; the company is ready to dispose of up to 200 thousand tons of cullet per year.

AB InBev Efes is the largest brewing company in Russia. The production network consists of 11 breweries in Vladivostok, Volzhsky, Ivanovo, Kazan, Kaluga, Klin, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Saransk, Ulyanovsk, Ufa and three malting complexes in Kazan, Omsk and Saransk. The company's brand portfolio includes more than 75 well-known brands, including Stary Melnik iz Bochonok, Polar Bear, Klinskoye, Stella Artois, Velkopopovický Kozel, Hoegaarden and others.

In cooperation with AB InBev Efes, Sibstekle reduced the weight of the bottle from 265 to a record 235 grams thanks to new design solutions developed by the glass factory specialists. At the same time, the volume is preserved, the glass product meets GOST - all the requirements for geometry, light transmission, resistance to hydrostatic pressure, etc. It was possible to achieve the necessary strength due to the redistribution of the glass thickness, and therefore the container withstands shock loads: drinks are poured under pressure, at high speed.

Such a bottle for AB InBev Efes is more environmentally friendly: compared to a 265-gram bottle, it will allow the company to reduce CO2 emissions in the glass packaging supply chain by 10% per conventional unit, and, taking into account the volume of orders, save at least 5 thousand tons of glass annually. In addition, AB InBev Efes will reduce the distance of transportation of products in an ultra-light bottle by 180,000 km per year (increase the loading of trucks and optimize the number of trips) and, as a result, the transport footprint.

At Sibstekle, guided by the principle of a reasonable attitude to resources integrated into the business model of the enterprise, they increase productivity by spending the same amount of raw materials and energy. So, from one ton of glass melt, you can make 3,773 bottles weighing 265 grams, or 4,255 super-light 235-gram bottles - 13% more.

In the new ultra-light container, various types of Stary Melnik iz Bochonok beer, the brand with the best-selling bottle in Russia, will be produced: from March at the AB InBev Efes production site in Novosibirsk, during the year - in Omsk and Vladivostok. Based on the experience gained, Sibsteklo and AB InBev Efes are ready to continue lightening container glass for other types of the company's products.

Another joint project of partners is the collection of glass containers at the enterprises of the HoReCa sector in the Novosibirsk Region, within the framework of which more than 600 tons of glass waste were disposed of at Sibstekle. The Tripartite Agreement also provides for other initiatives, including those aimed at creating an infrastructure for collecting glass waste to involve it in industrial circulation.

Vice Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Sergey Semka:

– Concern for the environment and ecology remains a priority at present, and a significant contribution to the development of environmentally friendly production is made by a joint project of AB InBevEfes and Sibsteklo, implemented with the support of the Government of the Novosibirsk Region, which today received a production start. We see it as a successful example of a public-private partnership in the development of environmental innovations, and we intend to continue to support socially responsible businesses that stimulate the development of the territories of our presence.

President of RATM Holding Eduard Taran:

- Rationalizing production, Sibsteklo improves technologies, modifies products, ensures their quality at the proper level and thereby creates additional points of growth in efficiency, including environmental, in a seemingly traditional industry. The company follows the chosen strategy in line with the relationship between the economic and "green" agendas, as a result, it strengthens its leadership position in a competitive market, which implies continuous changes that meet the expectations of partners. Currently, the glass container manufacturer's assortment policy helps them achieve sustainability goals, as well as promote projects that help reduce the industrial impact on the environment.

Acting President of AB InBev Efes Oraz Durdiyev:

“Two years ago, our company announced a global ambition to achieve carbon neutrality across the entire supply chain by 2040. Packaging is one of the key areas of decarbonization, and the beginning of this year has already been marked by several important projects for us. Just a few weeks ago, we were the first in the industry to use packaging containing recycled plastic, and today, together with Sibsteklo and with the support of the Novosibirsk Region, we are announcing the launch of products in the lightest glass bottle. We are pleased to note the readiness of our partners - Russian manufacturers and suppliers - to develop and apply advanced technologies that meet both our high quality and safety requirements and the principles of sustainable development.

Director General of OOO Siberian Glass Anton Mor:

– Sibsteklo is committed to creating added value for sustainable customers. The plant modernizes production, improves the performance of container glass and offers sustainable solutions that our partners integrate into supply chains, reducing their carbon footprint. To do this, they do not have to change the way they promote the final product, as well as the channels for its distribution, despite the fact that the use of ultra-light packaging will help to achieve global goals. Following the principles of ESG, companies are aware of and evaluate their impact on the environment, and with the support of regional authorities, build other relationships with stakeholders, thereby increasing both their own efficiency and the quality of life in the area of their presence.

Video about the development of the lightest glass bottle: https://disk.yandex.ru/i/xMDhYKOg65ZAwA