British beverage company Britvic has partnered with Xampla, a company that develops alternatives to single-use plastic products.
The collaboration will seek to advance technology and material processing with the aim of protecting vitamin-fortified drinks in clear bottles.
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Xampla has developed a material based on pea protein, which is used to create very tiny capsules to safeguard the vitamins within the liquid from sunlight.
According to research by Britvic, consumers are showing a preference for clear bottles instead of coloured ones. Clear plastic bottles also have higher recycling rates.
Britvic sustainable business director Sarah Webster said: “By agreeing this £1m partnership with each other, we have shown the power of collaboration between established players and cutting-edge innovators to deliver Healthier People and Healthier Planet.
“Xampla technology has the makings of a ‘win-win’, enabling delivery of greater nutritional value in the drinks people love, while ensuring that more products can come to market in clear, recyclable bottles.”
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By GlobalDataXampla is backed by the University of Cambridge. Its commercial use material innovation has received £1m ($1.35m) in funding support from Innovate UK to expedite the technology and material processing.
The partnership with Britvic follows the successful launch of Xampla’s first product with meal kit manufacturer Gousto last year.
Xampla CEO Simon Hombersley said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Britvic to deliver innovation that will revolutionise the drinks industry and it is extremely exciting to see what our material can do at scale.
“Xampla works with businesses to help solve their biggest problems while also enabling customers to meet their sustainability goals.”
In August last year, Britvic announced that it would switch its Robinsons, Lipton Ice Tea and drench brands to fully recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) 500ml bottles.
Other Britvic brands, including Fruit Shoot and 7UP, have also been moved to clear bottles in an effort to increase recycling rates.
