Gerolsteiner intends to complete the conversion process to the new tethered caps, which the company started in week 9/2023, by the end of the first quarter of 2024. First, the Gerolsteiner 1.5 liter non-returnable PET bottle will gradually be equipped with tethered caps. Beverages will follow in 1.0 liter and 0.75 liter disposable PET containers at the end of 2023. For a more extended transitional period, the Gerolsteiner disposable PET range will be offered with the previous caps and the new tethered cap. At the end of March 2024, i.e. well before the deadline of 3 July 2024 set by the EU, Gerolsteiner wants to have switched entirely to the new closures.
Material savings support sustainability goals - Large opening angle ensures drinking comfort
Gerolsteiner sees the further development of packaging as a building block within the framework of its commitment to sustainability. The new tethered cap height is lower than that of the previously used closure, resulting in material savings of 0.05 g or 0.33 g per closure, depending on the type. The weight saving in the thread area reduces the material requirement by 0.8 or 1.3 g, depending on the preform. Both contribute to further improving the ecological balance of the bottles and thus support Gerolsteiner's sustainability goals. The necessary drinking comfort is also taken care of: the neck ring's reduced diameter increases the closure's opening angle to 160 to 180 degrees. That way, the tethered cap doesn't interfere with pouring or drinking from the bottle.
With a seal on the bottle labels, Gerolsteiner informs consumers about the new tethered cap. In addition, a dedicated landing page on the topic is to be created, which will be linked via a QR code on the label.
