Sibsteklo and AB InBev Efes presented the lightest bottle in Russia

Dear colleagues!

We would like to share with you the news from the Member of the Association "StekloSouz" of Russia LLC Siberian Glass (Sibsteklo, the largest manufacturer of glass containers beyond the Urals, an asset of RATM Holding) about the presentation of the lightest bottle in Russia.

The presentation took place within the framework of the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Serial production of the “ultra-light” bottle weighing 235 grams will be launched by Sibirskoe Steklo before the end of the year. Its use, compared to a 265-gram bottle, will allow AB InBev Efes to reduce CO2 emissions in the glass packaging supply chain by 10% per glass product.

The implementation of the project for the production of the lightest bottle is part of the Strategic Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable development, signed by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship Development of the Novosibirsk Region, Siberian Glass LLC and AB InBev Efes in November 2021.

OOO Sibirskoe Steklo (Sibsteklo, 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 player on the Russian brewing market; the company was formed by the merger of AB InBev and Anadolu Efes. AB InBev Efes has 11 breweries and three malting complexes in Russia. The main brands of beer represented in Russia are Spaten, Corona Extra, Velkopopovický Kozel, Hoegaarden, Stary Melnik iz Bochonok, Klinskoye, Beliy Medved and others.

“In cooperation with AB InBev Efes, we managed to record a record reduction in the weight of the bottle, thanks to new design solutions developed by Sibstekl specialists,” said Anton Mor, General Director of Siberian Glass LLC. – At the same time, all requirements for the safety and quality of glass packaging are met. It was possible to achieve strength that ensures the operational reliability of the container by redistributing the thickness of the glass, so the product withstands shock loads: drinks contain carbon dioxide, they are poured under pressure at a speed of 35 thousand bottles per hour.

Samples of the new bottle were successfully tested at the GITEC Global Innovation and Technology Research and Development Center in Leuven (Belgium); a Declaration of Conformity with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the Safety of Packaging” was received based on the protocol of laboratory tests already carried out in Russia. Now the bottle will be tested at the AB InBev Efes brewery in Novosibirsk.

Visually, the ultra-light bottle practically does not differ from the 265-gram one. The nominal volume is preserved, the difference in geometric dimensions is so insignificant that it can only be determined with the help of measuring instruments. The 235-gram bottle can be made in any color (this one is colorless), there are no special requirements for raw materials.

According to Anton Mor, the principle of rational use of natural resources is integrated into the company's business model: Sibsteklo, by lightening glass products, increases output, but does not increase the consumption of raw materials and energy. One tonne of glass melt can be used to make 2,857 350-gram bottles, which were supplied to AB InBev Efes in 2015, or 4,255 super-light 235-gram bottles – 1.4 times more.

“At the same time, we are striving to reduce the use of resources and our carbon footprint by changing the ratio of natural materials and glass waste in the composition of raw materials in favor of the latter,” comments Anton Mor.

Every 10% of cullet reduces energy consumption by 3%, and as a result, industrial environmental impact. In addition, the involvement of glass waste in economic circulation slows down the depletion of mineral reserves and the rate of accumulation of useful "garbage" fractions at MSW landfills.

Recall that in the Novosibirsk region, Sibsteklo and AB InBev Efes are implementing an initiative to collect glass containers from enterprises in the HoReCa sector - the interaction of companies in the environmental direction with the assistance of the government of the Novosibirsk region involves the further development of waste management infrastructure, as a result of which the share of recycled materials in the production of glass packaging to 2024 should reach 40%.

Minister of Economic Development of the Novosibirsk Region Lev Reshetnikov:

– Cooperation between AB InBev Efes, Sibsteklo and our region will create a positive practice of public-private partnership in the development of environmental innovations. Also, the very implementation of this project will not only reduce the negative impact on the environment, but also support employment, increase production in the region, and stimulate an increase in tax deductions to the budgets of all levels. We consider it important to support such initiatives with the participation of local producers and will strive to create favorable conditions for the further development of conscientious business that contributes to the improvement of both the economy and the environment.

President of RATM Holding Eduard Taran:

– Sibsteklo seeks to increase its efficiency and, by developing projects related to its core business, reduces the technogenic impact on the environment. The company strengthens its competitive advantages and proves that industrial companies can be successful and environmentally friendly. Ecological and economic priorities are becoming strategic for the corporate sector, and this is not a forced compliance with the federal trend. The partnership of our plant with AB InBev Efes with the support of the government of the Novosibirsk region creates new opportunities for the growth of production indicators and the formation of other relationships with society. When a business, achieving results, follows the “green” track, it contributes to improving the quality of life in the territory.

Acting President of AB InBev Efes Oraz Durdiyev

“Last year, our company announced a new decarbonization ambition: to achieve carbon neutrality across the entire supply chain by 2040. The creation of the lightest glass beer bottle was an important step towards achieving this goal. In addition, the project supports the objectives of the long-term State Strategy for Low-Carbon Development of the Russian Federation, including the transition to carbon neutrality by 2060. The development of innovative packaging became possible thanks to cooperation with the Sibsteklo plant under a trilateral agreement between companies and the Government of the Novosibirsk Region — in this way, we continue to fulfill our obligations to support local suppliers and contribute to the development of the regions where AB InBev Efes operates.