The news article [<'arniston bay wine launched in 1 litre tetra pak'><1>] announcing the launch of a range of Arniston Bay wines packed into Tetra Pak contains so much “green wash” that it's almost laughable. No sensible consumer is going to be taken in. What, for instance, does the term “recyclable” actually mean? Almost anything is potentially recyclable. Glass is actually recycled – up to 90% recycled content in most green wine bottles, and can be recycled over and over again. What evidence exists to verify the claim that the carton is 80% more environmentally friendly than glass? As there has yet to be a full cradle-to-cradle life-cycle assessment undertaken for glass, the figure quoted can only be regarded as wishful thinking. Is it also right that brand owners and retailers should introduce a packaging format associated with the juvenile market at a time when underage consumption of alcohol is such a social issue? The closest that Arniston Bay gets to matching the quality, feel and inertness of glass is the use of glass bottles in the graphics on the carton. It will never be able to replicate the real deal for wine packs – glass bottles themselves. David Workman has a history in the glass industry spanning more than 30 years. He has worked in a variety of senior sales and marketing roles within the UK’s leading glass container manufacturers. He was appointed as Director General of British Glass in 2001. <1>: /articleDetail.aspx?contentId=1647

*Using green technology, the Quangoff natural spring water dispense system has been specially developed for the demanding hotel and restaurant sector. * The natural spring water is delivered from four UK spring sources in 20-litre recyclable bag in boxes. The system eliminates the need for disposable glass or plastic bottles. The dispense system is compact and easily sited on top of a bar or counter area. David Lenderyou, Managing Director, Quangoff said: “The current economic climate may mean that business owners have other concerns on their minds, but saving energy saves money and taking a positive stance on environmental issues is hugely important to customers and employees. “Over the last 18 months, we've seen increased demand for 'enviro-positive' water from the restaurant and hotel trade. In a recent customer survey, we found that 97% score the environmental benefits of the Quangoff system as their key reason to purchase.” The benefits of the Quangoff system are being enjoyed by a variety of outlets across the hospitality sector, including cafes, bistros, restaurants, contract caterers and independent hotels and hotel groups.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today announced that Cadbury has become its latest Tier Two Supporter. The deal will be effective immediately, giving Cadbury the designation of official confectionery and ice cream supporter for London 2012, rights to use the London 2012 marks on-product, as well as marketing rights to Team GB and ParalympicsGB. At Games’ time, Cadbury will supply all confectionery and packaged ice cream sold at venues and within the Olympic Park. Cadbury was also an official supplier of the Sydney Games in 2000, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Manchester (2002) and Melbourne (2006). The Bournville-based company becomes London 2012’s second Tier Two supporter, following the announcement of Deloitte as Professional Services Supporter at the end of last year. London 2012 CEO Paul Deighton said: “Following the success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB this summer, we all came back from Beijing with a spring in our step and this has been replicated in the commercial sector. There has been a surge of interest in London 2012 and I’m thrilled that Cadbury has come onboard. "They have a great track record supporting both major sporting events and community initiatives, and we welcome them to the London 2012 family. This is another fantastic achievement for the commercial programme, and with this deal we have now raised over £430m, which is well on our way to our domestic sponsorship target as we seek to raise the £2bn required to stage the Games in 2012.” Todd Stitzer, CEO Cadbury plc, said: “For nearly 200 years, Cadbury has been part of the fabric of British life, so we're extremely proud to be a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Since John Cadbury opened a chocolate shop in Birmingham in 1824, we have strived to be a company that is both performance driven and values led – a philosophy that is at one with the long-held ethos of the Games: inspiration, optimism and community. "London 2012 is a huge opportunity for us all to celebrate everything that is great about Britain and to bring local communities together throughout the UK. We look forward to building on all these things through our existing community partnerships. The Cadbury brand reaches every corner of Britain. The Games has the power to excite and inspire, and by working together we can bring a bit of fun and magic to everyone’s lives."

Coressence has chosen Cobell's new 'JuiceBox' container. The package offers juice on-tap in wine box-style three-, five- and 10-litre packs. All the JuiceBox packs use an aseptic system which provides a longer 'opened' shelf life (of up to 14 days chilled). This is four times longer than other standard packaging. Nick Sprague, Chairman and founder of Cobell, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity and it marks yet another significant stage of growth for our company. Coressence recognised our experience and also our innovative aseptic packaging system that will ensure they maintain the high quality of the pure juice that is so important to them and to the health-conscious consumer. "We source fruit from all over the globe, so it's good in this case to be working a little closer to home!" The particular flavanols in the Evesse have been proven to increase blood flow through the heart by relaxing the arteries. This vaso-dilation can also help asthma, exercise recovery and warm-up, reduces blood clots and swelling in the lower legs, and improves skin tone. Richard Wood from Coressence said: "We're delighted to be working with Cobell at a time when European regulations relating to health claims are entering their final stages. Evesse Juice allows health claims to be used on-pack."

Rexam has produced a new look and feel to a limited edition can for Latvian brewer Cesu Alus using registered embossing and 'Illustration Impact' for its premium beer cans. Rexam's registered embossing technique enables customers to highlight specific details on the can, whether it be a face, logo or product name, while 'Illustration Impact' allows photo-like images to be printed on-can. "Having used Rexam's embossing technology in the past, we were looking for a new way to promote the Cesu Premium brand and bring in new consumers," said Eva Sientinsone Zatlere, Chairman of the Cesu Alus Board. "Registered embossing offered the perfect vehicle for this." Aimed primarily at men aged 25-40, the cans have been available in all retail outlets throughout Latvia since July 2008, and will be available for at least four months. Cesu Alus is the first company in Latvia to use registered embossing and 'Illustration Impac't on the same can, proving that Latvian consumers are embracing new and creative drinks products. The campaign is being supported by a nationwide TV and print campaign. Marketing Manager for Rexam Beverage Can, Ann Bonner, expects the campaign to be one of its most successful yet for embossing. She believes that, "in the tough competitive climate, the ability to stand out on-shelf can make all the difference to drinks brands".

Following reports in some UK national newspapers, InBev has released a statement denying that it will launch a stronger version of its popular Stella Artois lager. The alleged "Stella Black" was reported to offer a 5.5% alcohol level (the normal level for Stella Artois is 5.2%). A spokesperson for InBev said the following: "InBev UK is constantly looking at a number of product innovations. However, InBev UK categorically denies it is launching any variants of Stella Artois at a higher ABV than currently available." The company did, however, launch a lower strength version of Stella Artois earlier this year, with an alcohol level of just 4%. A marketing campaign for this lighter variant will launch in November 2008.

**Crayons beverage company of the US has launched what is claimed to be “the first and only all-natural line of FUNctional drinks” designed specifically for children and teenagers. **The new drinks are being unveiled at the Natural Products Expo East, held in Boston on 16-18 October. Each Crayons FUNctional juice drink uses a special blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre to offer a range of specific benefits, including: Multi-vitamin total body support Calcium-boosting bone health Antioxidant well-being Immunity support Afternoon pick-me up Simple refreshment. The drinks are made with 30% real fruit juice, sweetened only with organic cane juice, and are said to contain 30% less sugar and carbohydrates than most other juice drinks – totalling just 90 calories per 8oz (237ml) serving. Ron Lloyd, CEO of Crayons, said: “As a parent, I'm thrilled to finally have a healthier beverage option for today’s active kids. “Crayons All Natural FUNctional Fruit Juice Drinks provide parents with a nutritious and delicious choice that makes all other juices and/or fruit juice drinks obsolete. No other kids’ beverage compares to our combined level of fun and function.” * Colourful graphics * The new FUNctional line is intended to build on the success of Crayons’ existing juice drinks for kids and teens, introduced in 2007. FUNctional drinks contain the same bold fruit flavours, and are packaged with the same colourful graphics in environmentally friendly 8oz aluminium cans. The drinks are expected to retail at or below $0.99 per can, and will be available in single cans and a x4 multipack. The six flavours are: Blueberry-Raspberry RAZZICAL, formulated with three essential antioxidants. Fruit Punch 3PM, an “afternoon pick-me-up” containing B vitamins for energy and fibre equal to two cups of grapes. Tickled Pink Lemonade THIRST-C, “The Quencherator,” combining vitamin C with traditional refreshment. Watermelon & Wild Berries BUFF BONZ, with vitamins plus calcium to support sound muscle and bone development. Kiwi Strawberry SUPER-V, a multi-vitamin beverage. Outrageous Orange Mango D-FENSE, an immunity support drink with vitamins, zinc, and as much fibre as an orange.

*South African wine producer, Arniston Bay, is launching a one-litre fully recyclable Tetra Pak, which will further extend its range of environmentally friendly wine packaging. * The company has already launched a 1.5-litre pouch with 80% less of a carbon footprint than a glass bottle equivalent. It also plans to launch a 25cl version of the pouch. Available in Chenin Blanc Chardonnay, Pinotage Rose and Cabernet Merlot varieties, the Arniston Bay Tetra Pak will be available for UK retailers from October with an RRP of £6.49 for one litre. A lightweight alternative to glass bottles, the Arniston Bay Tetra Pak has a lower carbon footprint than wine in glass bottles, with a higher number of cartons transported in one shipping. In addition, the pack is 100% recyclable, making this an ideal choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. Brand and Business Development Manager for 'the company of wine people', Barney Davis, said: “The Tetra Pak is an important addition to the Arniston Bay portfolio. A year on from the launch of our carbon-friendly pouch, we're aware that the wine consumer is on the look-out for more innovative forms of packaging that tick all the boxes in terms of convenience, ease of use and environmental benefits. "Our Tetra Pak is not only a convenient addition to our wine range, it's also recyclable and is lighter to transport around the globe, helping us, as an international wine company, to lower our overall carbon footprint.” Arniston Bay is one of the best international selling brands in the UK. Sales of the Arniston Bay range – available in a wide variety of packaging formats – are currently up by 21.9% year on year.

**The Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB, German Olympic Sports Confederation) has officially recommended Bionade, a popular German organic soft drink. **The endorsement means that Bionade will be featuring the DOSB logo on the labels of its soft drink to show the Confederation's support. According to DOSB, the organic beverage is particularly useful for those engaged in sports activities. Bionade is created by the fermentation of water and malt, is alcohol-free and contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These are valuable minerals and nutrients important to health-conscious consumers, and in particular for sportspeople who require assistance with speedy recoveries. DOSB General Manager Michael Vesper commented on the new partnership, saying he was pleased to have found such a compelling partner who was so committed to the philosophy of sport. Angelika Kuhnert, Marketing Chief of Bionade, said: "We are pleased and proud of the fact that the DOSB has confidence in our product." Bionade has also been sponsoring and promoting Germany's school youth Olympics initiative, as part of its corporate social responsibility scheme.

Seriously Strong, a Lactalis McLelland brand, is investing more than £1m to support its award-winning Seriously Strong Cheddar. This is the biggest investment in a standalone TV advertising campaign from a Cheddar brand this year. The national campaign launches on 20 October and is designed to raise consumer demand, encourage trial and build brand loyalty. Viewers will be able to enjoy the campaign on breaks between primetime programmes such as Coronation Street, Heartbeat and Jamie’s Ministry of Food. Renée Milkop-Kerr, Marketing Manager for Seriously Strong, believes the campaign puts the brand in the prime position to significantly increase its share of the Cheddar market. “Seriously Strong is a recognised, high-quality product that really delivers in terms of unrivalled taste and heritage. With the current economic situation, consumers are looking for great value products without compromising on quality. We're confident this campaign with drive consumers into the dairy aisles to trial our products, and we're in no doubt that our cheese will deliver on all these promises. “This is a real investment for the brand. It's the first time in four years that Seriously Strong has benefited from a nationwide TV advertising campaign. Our aim is to communicate the significant taste difference you receive with Seriously and to further strengthen and grow our position in the market place.”

AWS Eco Plastics has announced a major contract with Artenius PET Packaging Europe (APPE), a subsidiary of La Seda De Barcelona, one of Europe's leading PET packaging companies. AWS is to provide APPE with a minimum of 13,000 tons annually of recycled plastic pellets for the production of bottles for carbonated beverages. This is a major step in APPE's drive to increase the recycled content of PET bottles. This is the first major offtake contract signed to support the £14m capital investment programme being carried out at AWS Eco Plastics' bottle processing plant in Lincolnshire. On completion (end of this year), the plant will be the largest of its kind in the world, with processing capacity set to increase from 25,000 tpa to 100,000 tpa. Environmental considerations While capex has been concentrated on the process, the company has also been mindful to minimise the use of natural resources. For example, there has been substantial spend on a closed-loop water processing system capable of recycling up to 15 cubic metres an hour of water back to a fresh state to be reused in the process, which is the first of its kind to be used in a plastic bottle processing plant. Chief Executive Jonathan Short, commenting on the APPE contract, said: "We're delighted to win this contract, which is the culmination of months of negotiation with APPE. "It's clear APPE has chosen to work with AWS, as we have clearly demonstrated the supply of material available to us and that the capex programme undertaken will result in product to a standard required by APPE. Like ourselves, APPE have set their stall out to be market leader in their field and we look forward to working together to achieve these goals." Both companies are currently discussing the next stage of contract to increase available tonnage.

*PepsiCo has announced its intention to revamp "every aspect of the brand proposition for our key brands", according to CEO Indra Nooyi. * The first step of the plan is to change the graphics and logo on cans of Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist drinks, said Pepsi spokeswoman Nicole Bradley. Pepsi plans to follow with a new marketing campaign as well. "It's clear this business is not performing where we would like it to be," added Ms Nooyi. " in large part because the economic slowdown continues to pressure the North American liquid refreshment beverage category. It is our belief that, especially in this economic downturn, we should be investing in the category to get consumers to stay with, and some to return to, the packaged liquid refreshment beverage category and to our brands." *