PlantBottle Technology in the spotlight on Capitol Hill

Coke’s PlantBottle technology was recognized last month on Capitol Hill as one of the innovations helping to fuel the bio-based manufacturing boom.

Scott Vitters, general manager of the global PlantBottle platform, testified at a hearing for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, D.C. The June 17 session, titled “Grow it Here, Make it Here: Creating Jobs through Bio-based Manufacturing,” examined the role products made from agriculture crops instead of petroleum-based chemicals are playing in revitalizing American manufacturing, growing the economy and creating jobs.

Vitters and representatives from Cargill Industrial Specialties, Lear Corporation, Novozymes North America and Hankins Inc. spoke to Senators, Congressional staffers and members of the media about the investments their companies are making in technologies that leverage renewable materials.

PlantBottle, Vitters explained, plays a vital role in achieving the company’s long-term, zero-waste vision. PlantBottle looks, functions and recycles just like traditional PET plastic, but with a lower dependence on fossil fuels and a lighter environmental footprint. Instead of being entirely made from petroleum and other fossil fuels, PlantBottle packaging uses materials made from plants. This innovation has removed more than 190,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions since 2009, the equivalent of 500,000 barrels of oil.

Vitters highlighted the partnerships that have enabled Coca-Cola distribute more than 25 billion PlantBottle packages in 31 countries. The company aims to convert 100 percent of new PET plastic used in its bottles to PlantBottle technology by 2020.

To continue to meet global demand for The Coca-Cola Company’s beverages, maintain public trust and sustain growth, we must transition from traditional, fossil-based materials to renewable, recyclable bio-based sources.

Following the hearing, the PlantBottle team participated in a “Spotlight on Innovation” expo, which highlighted more than 30 innovators representing 25 states leading the charge in bio-based manufacturing. The team spoke one-on-one with a Senators and Congressional staff members, who were complimentary of the PlantBottle program and commended Coke’s leadership on the development of bio-based products.

An archived webcast of the hearing can be viewed on the Committee’s website at http://ag.senate.gov