Bye-bye six packs: Corona invents interlocking cans for plastic-free convenience

04 Jul 2019 --- Mexican beer brand Corona has created a prototype solution to the 17 million tons of plastic generated by beverage packaging each year – a screwable, stackable can. The Fit Packs have screw threads at the top and bottom of each can, allowing up to ten cans to be stacked on top of each other with a simple twist and no additional materials.

“Corona Fit Packs is currently a prototype solution with an objective of addressing the packaging plastic issues. As part of the development process, we will analyze our results in order to see what the chances to grow this idea are. As of now, it is still a prototype in the development phase, but it has great potential to be a plastic-free solution for the beverages industry in general,” Paulina Portillo Orozco, External Communication Manager for Grupo Modelo (Corona’s manufacturer), tells PackagingInsights.

Click to EnlargeAttaching cans is as simple as a flick of the wrist. (Image credits: Leo Burnett)The concept is cost-effective and will be easy to scale out to global markets. In order to allow the solution to make a maximum impact on waste, Corona has made the design available to all other beverage companies. Additionally, the can, which was designed by marketing company Leo Burnett, is on the 2019 Cannes Innovation Lions shortlist. Leo Burnett also released a promotional video of the cans where the screwing mechanism can be seen in action. 

“As we still have to work closely on the prototype’s proper development, we do not yet have a defined estimated time to launch a first pilot,” Portillo continues. “The development will allow us to have a clearer picture of the project path and growth potential.”

Sustainable packaging
This prototype comes at a time when the industry is under immense pressure to become more environmentally friendly. Corona’s 2025 Global Sustainability Goals are driven by the four pillars of smart agriculture, climate action, water stewardship and circular packaging. 

“As a global brand, we are deeply committed to reducing a significant amount of plastic in our products. This important innovation leads the path in reducing the impact of plastic, not only in the beer industry, but also in the Consumer Packaged Goods Category overall. It helps to keep plastic out of the oceans, thus reinforcing Corona’s commitment to the environment. However, substituting plastic for other materials only solves one part of the problem,” Portillo explains.Click to EnlargeUp to ten cans can be screwed together. (Image credits: Leo Burnett) 

Corona recently piloted another sustainable alternative to plastic six-pack beer rings – plant-based rings made from biodegradable fibers and a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials. If left in the environment, the rings will break down into a non-harmful organic material, instead of the increasingly smaller pieces of plastic which stem from the industry standard rings made from a photodegradable form of polyethylene.

Meanwhile in Europe, Carlsberg managed a 76 percent reduction in multi-pack plastic thanks to its Snap Pack. Rings were phased out entirely and replaced with recyclable glue that bonds the beer cans together.

By Katherine Durrell

This feature is provided by FoodIngredientsFirst.com's sister website, PackagingInsights.

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