Bacardi runs hydrogen-powered glass production trial, cutting greenhouse gas emissions

The spirits giant – whose portfolio includes Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose and Patron -  worked with Slovenian-headquartered glassmaker Hrastnik1860 to explore new tech for glass production.

The trial produced 150,000 of the brand’s 70cl St Germain elderflower liqueur glass bottles. Hydrogen contributed more than 60% of the fuel for the glass furnace, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30%, reports Bacardi.

The resulting bottles were identical to those produced by traditional production methods.

Packaging from the trial will reach bars and stores in the coming weeks.

“Piloting this lower carbon glass production is another example of Bacardi leading the industry in environmental best practice,” said Rodolfo Nervi, vice president, safety, quality and sustainability for Bacardi.

“We will take the learnings from the trial to help shape a pathway to hydrogen-fueled glass production and create a blueprint for others to follow. It’s only through making change as an industry that we can bring significant change to our impact on the environment.”

Bacardi's packaging sustainability commitments had originally focused on reducing weight and volume. In 2018, the company shifted the focus of its goals to greenhouse gas emissions, in order to take a fuller picture of the full product value chain​.