Packaging innovation: VILSA introduces the sustainable NIX-PACK - a milestone in the German beverage industry

VILSA-BRUNNEN, one of Germany's leading mineral water producers, is setting a new benchmark in terms of sustainability: with the introduction of the VILSA NIX-PACK, the company is reinventing the classic six-pack. This makes VILSA the first German mineral water bottler to completely replace conventional shrink-wrap with adhesive dots, taking a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly and resource-saving packaging solution.

Technological innovation: the VILSA NIX-PACK
With this innovative technology, the bottles in a six-pack are no longer held together by plastic film, but by very strong dots of adhesive. VILSA has replaced the previous plastic carrying handle with a handle made of recyclable cardboard. The combination of adhesive dots and cardboard carrier makes the VILSA NIX-PACK the most sustainable solution for the VILSA rPET disposable bottles. In principle, all disposable bottles for VILSA products are made from recycled PET.

“With the VILSA Nix-Pack, we are setting another milestone in our sustainable corporate strategy. We want to offer our customers an environmentally friendly alternative that combines the highest quality and innovation. The decision to dispense with film is a clear commitment to more resource conservation and a cleaner future,” says Hans-Dietrich Kühl, CEO of VILSA-BRUNNEN Otto Rodekohr GmbH.

#ProtectingTomorrowToday:
Improving the carbon footprint of the VILSA disposable range With the introduction of the new packaging, VILSA is significantly reducing its plastic consumption: the company saves around 2,000 kilometers of shrink film per year, with the total plastic savings adding up to 50 tons annually.

Henning Rodekohr, Managing Partner of VILSA-BRUNNEN Otto Rodekohr GmbH: “We are constantly investing in new machines and technologies in order to offer our customers the best and most sustainable packaging solution. We are significantly improving the carbon footprint of our disposable range and are thus living our #ProtectingTomorrowToday mission statement on another level. Compared to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with shrink film, we achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of between 40% and 70%. This depends on the bottle size and varies. Specifically, we save 62.5% CO2 emissions with the 1-liter NIX-PACK, for example. Replacing shrink wrap is an important step in terms of immediately visible waste avoidance in retail - who hasn't seen a tattered-looking disposable shelf? - is an important step. The introduction of the VILSA NIX-PACK is the next logical step in a series of innovations that we have brought to the market in recent years.”

Sustainability meets convenience: cardboard carrier and adhesive dots
The new, certified cardboard carrier is robust enough to safely transport a 1.5-liter six-pack. The 100% recyclable cardboard carrier offers convenience and resistance to everyday conditions such as heat, cold and moisture. An explanation of handling is printed on the cardboard carrier. The carrier is gripped with the whole hand from above. After use, it can be disposed of in waste paper and easily recycled. The adhesive dots that now hold the bottles together are resistant to environmental influences. In addition, they do not need to be disposed of before the bottles are returned and have no impact on the recycling process.

Communication in retail: A specially designed foil is currently being used to draw attention to the changeover to the VILSA NIX-PACK.

The nationwide launch will be accompanied by a cross-media campaign with a wide reach from May onwards.