Glass packaging manufacturer Vetropack has launched two new innovations: a lightweight 0.75 litre that claims to be the lightest bottle of its kind in Europe, and a reusable Rhinewine bottle.
The company says that its reduced-weight bottle – which is also made from 80% recycled glass – generates 33 grams, or 13%, less CO₂ over a transport distance of 100 kilometres.
Regional production in Austria further shortens transport routes and aims to improve the product’s environmental footprint.
The design phase began in 2025, followed by a period of extensive testing, including impact tests using the ShockQC inline sensor. Then, in 2026, an initial large batch was produced, before being tested by major bottlers.
“Reducing the weight of a 750-ml Rhine wine bottle to 350 grams is a significant technological achievement,” Harald Geist of Vetropack.
“The key was working closely with our technical teams to develop a solution that not only meets the mechanical requirements of our customers’ bottling and logistics processes but also delivers an attractive appearance. The tests confirm that we have achieved this goal.”
At the same time, a new pooling scheme for reusable wine bottles is currently being launched in Austria. A separate new bottle product from Vetropack has been used by participants in the scheme since Spring 2026.
With a height of 340 mm, the bottle is optimised for efficiency in logistics and can be stacked up to four layers high. In addition, the company claims that this is the first reusable wine bottle with a BVS finish to be produced in Austria.
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