ecoSPIRITS has developed innovative circular packaging technology that is aiming to revolutionise the spirits and wine industry and make it more sustainable.
In cooperation with Bar Convent Berlin, it will present its full portfolio of hardware, including the use and application of its containerised semi-automated spirits processing facility – a complete ecoPLANT – to visitors at this year’s industry event BCB, which is a global first at a trade show.
Single-use glass is to become a thing of the past: this is the mission of ecoSPIRITS and the objective with which the circular economy technology company will participate at this year’s BCB. It intends to use the industry event to inform visitors about the benefits of its close-loop packaging solution, thereby prompting more companies to achieve their sustainability goals by removing single-use glass from their operations.
Who is ecoSPIRITS?
ecoSPIRITS is a technology company that has developed the world’s first closed-loop packaging technology for premium spirits and wines. The company has set itself the aim of eliminating single-use glass in the spirits and wine industries by facilitating transition to closed-loop packaging technology.
How bars benefit from the ecoSPIRITS technology
The ecoSPIRITS closed loop system already enjoys plenty of popularity internationally. At present, it is used by well over 1,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers in 14 markets, by the end of the year this number will rise to 20 including in excess of 60 brands – including international brands such as Plantation Rum, Compass Box Whisky and Portobello Road Gin, and local German producers such as Stork Club Whisky, Slyrs Whisky, Root to Fruit, Sash & Fritz Vodka and Wild Child Berlin Gin. After all, the concept pays off for quite a few adopters: the company not only gives its brand partners enormous cost benefits but also allows them to substantially lower their carbon footprint. Venues that use the ecoSPIRITS technology additionally benefit from several operational advantages: a 30%-50% reduction in storage space, 95% less glass and cardboard waste and improved ergonomics and handling. Altogether, ecoSPIRITS allows for a 60%- to-90% reduction of the carbon footprint in packaging and distribution of premium spirits and wines.
What visitors can expect at BCB
ecoSPIRITS will be represented in Hall 17 with its complete management team to welcome BCB visitors. It includes Iain McPherson, recently appointed sales director for Europe. Iain and his team will show the use and application of the close-loop technologies developed by ecoSPIRITS in hands-on demonstrations including – for the first time ever featured at a trade show worldwide – a complete ecoPLANT (a containerised, semi-automated spirits processing facility) as well as its latest generation of technologies including the patent-pending reusable packaging format, the ecoTOTE, and its electronic dispense system, the SmartPour. Also on display will be the company’s new SmartKiosk intelligent retail system, which allows consumers to refill branded spirits bottles in retail environments.
The ecoPLANT will be open to visitors to explore and understand the close-loop technology. Furthermore, brands from the existing ecoSPIRITS markets will be exhibited and education content on the circular economy as well as information on the environmental impact of single-use glass will be made available.
A clear goal in mind
The technology company is highly motivated and full of anticipation for BCB. It wants to use the industry event to reach out to as many people from the sector as possible and to show them how they can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. “We can now act together as an industry and become more sustainable,” says Iain McPherson. “Each bottle we dispose of corresponds to an average of 550 grams of carbon emissions eliminated – just imagine the difference we can make together as brand partners, distributors, wholesalers, venues and retailers.”
Official sponsor of the BCB ‘Urban Gardening Area‘
In addition, ecoSPIRITS will sponsor all the spirits used in the ‘Urban Gardening Area’ in Hall 18, a BCB hotspot focusing on herbal science and sustainability. Here, advanced tools and techniques will be showcased and little workshops revolving around herbs and plants be offered including one featuring Ruben Neideck (former bartender Velvet, Berlin) and Matze Wilkens from ‘Prinzessinengarten’, Berlin. Add to this a presentation on the basics of rotary evaporators in cooperation with ‘Heidolph’ where the functions are explained in detail in a workshop. Over all three trade show days, the drinks in the Urban Gardening Area will be prepared by Ruben Neideck and his team from a selection of low-carbon spirits in the ecoTOTES.
The aim of all parties involved in the implementation of this green hot spot was to make the carbon footprint of this Area as small as possible. Stands, for example, will be constructed from materials used in previous years. Last but not least, a contribution to climate protection will be made by planting trees as part of a collaboration project with ecoSPIRITS.
