Swiss Companies Coop and Emmi Unveil Innovative PET Bottles for Dairy Packaging

(IN BRIEF) Coop and Emmi have introduced environmentally friendly PET bottles for selected dairy products, such as milk and cream, as part of their sustainability efforts. These PET bottles are the only plastic food packaging in Switzerland that can be recycled and processed in a closed cycle. The initiative supports their goal of establishing a circular economy. Coop’s own brand products and various Emmi-branded items are now available in these recyclable PET bottles. The bottles are made of white PET, offering product protection and consistency of taste. They can be used to manufacture new PET bottles for milk and dairy products, reducing material usage and transportation. Clear labels encourage responsible disposal, and the initiative aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUCERNE, 30-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Emmi Group (SIX: EMMN), the leading Swiss milk processor, and Coop, in a significant stride toward sustainability, have introduced an innovative packaging solution for a range of milk and cream products. These products, encompassing Coop’s private labels and several Emmi-branded items, now feature eco-friendly PET bottles, marking a pioneering advancement in Switzerland’s food packaging sector. Notably, these PET bottles currently stand as the sole plastic food packaging in Switzerland eligible for recycling and closed-loop processing. This achievement underscores our collective dedication to fostering a circular economy, a shared vision of both companies.

Coop’s own brand products and a variety of Emmi-branded goods are now available in recyclable PET bottles, including Coop milk and cream, Emmi Energy Milk High Protein, and Comella Choco Drink. The transition for various UHT milk products sold under Coop’s organic Naturaplan brand is also expected to be completed by the end of February 2024.

The new white PET bottle represents a packaging innovation, offering superior product protection and taste consistency. Importantly, these PET bottles can be recycled and reprocessed into new PET bottles for milk and dairy products, significantly reducing transportation and material usage compared to their polyethylene counterparts. A Carbotech study anticipates a CO2 reduction of approximately 25% due to this shift.

Andrea Kramer, Head of Marketing and Purchasing at Coop, expressed enthusiasm about expanding their commitment to recyclable packaging, “We look forward to extending our commitment to recyclable packaging to more of our own brand and branded goods. In this way, we can stick to our path of sustainability as we pursue a circular strategy.” Marc Heim, Head of the Swiss Division at Emmi, highlighted the innovation and recyclability of dairy products in PET bottles, “Dairy products in PET bottles are another innovative and recyclable packaging solution in line with our ambitious sustainability goals. By working with our partners and PET-Recycling Schweiz, we are able to collect materials across the country and reuse them as packaging for dairy products.”

To encourage responsible disposal, the familiar PET symbol adorns the recyclable milk and dairy product bottles, reminding consumers to return them to any PET collection point for recycling. Coop and Emmi will also use clear labels during the launch phase to educate customers about the new packaging’s recyclability.

Coop’s transition to PET for milk and dairy products is part of their ongoing efforts to introduce eco-friendly packaging for all own-brand products, with PET and rPET playing a pivotal role in their circular strategy. Coop has already reduced or optimized 36,000 tons of packaging materials since 2012, contributing to resource conservation.

Emmi, as a producer of high-quality dairy products, aims to lead by example in sustainability. Their sustainability model incorporates recyclable packaging to minimize waste and conserve resources. The introduction of milk in PET bottles marks significant progress toward Emmi’s ambitious sustainability target of using 100% recyclable packaging and at least 30% recycled materials by 2027.

For Coop and Emmi, this innovative packaging solution underscores their shared commitment to sustainability and sets a new standard for environmentally responsible food packaging in Switzerland.

Media contacts:

Emmi Media
Simone Burgener, Media Spokesperson | media@emmi.com

Emmi Investors and Analysts
Oliver Wasem, Head of Investor Relations | ir@emmi.com

Coop Media
Coop Media Office | +41 61 336 70 00 | medien@coop.ch

About Emmi

Emmi is the leading manufacturer of high-quality dairy products in Switzerland. Its roots date back to 1907, when it was founded by dairy farmer cooperatives in the Lucerne region. With its focussed strategy, innovative products and brand concepts established beyond Switzerland, such as Emmi Caffè Latte and Kaltbach cheese, Emmi has grown into an internationally active, listed group (EMMN) with a strong local presence in 13 countries.

Emmi’s business model is traditionally based on a careful approach to nature, animals and people. In this way, Emmi creates the best dairy moments, today and for generations to come, while also contributing to value creation in rural regions. The company distributes its quality products in around 60 countries and manufactures these at 57 of its own production sites in 11 countries. With more than 9,000 employees, around 70% of whom work outside Switzerland, the Emmi Group generated sales of CHF 4.2 billion in 2023.

SOURCE: Emmi AG