Glass primary packaging leader SGD Pharma has introduced an innovative lightweight glass bottle, named Nova, designed to significantly decrease the carbon footprint associated with weight optimization.

As a specialist in molded glass packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, SGD Pharma leverages its expertise in Narrow Neck Press and Blow (NNPB) forming technology for pharma bottles. Recognizing the environmental impact, the company underscores the importance of reducing packaging material weight as a “promising solution” to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

The Nova range showcases SGD Pharma’s commitment to sustainability, with a reported 20% reduction in CO2 emissions on its new 200ml bottle compared to the standard Dorado bottle. This reduction is attributed to the judicious use of raw materials, aligning with the industry’s pursuit of eco-friendly practices.

A key metric for evaluating the lightness of glass bottles is the weight-volume ratio. Conventional cosmetic bottles produced by the Blow and Blow process typically have ratios ranging from 1.0 to 3.0. Remarkably, the Nova 200ml bottle achieves an exceptionally low weight-volume ratio of 0.65, boasting a brimful volume of 215ml and a mere 140g weight. Notably, this reduction in weight does not compromise the bottle’s properties or safety, maintaining parity with the heavier Dorado model.

Chunyan Zheng, Deputy General Manager of Industrial Operation at SGD Pharma’s Zhanjiang plant in China, expressed the significance of Nova as the latest innovation, describing it as the “star” performance desired by beauty brands in both aesthetics and functionality. Highlighting the company’s agility in addressing evolving customer needs, Zheng emphasized Nova’s embodiment of SGD Pharma’s ambition for enhanced ecological performance and reduced manufacturing emissions, positioning it as the optimal packaging solution for 21st-century cosmetic brands.

Frédéric Barbier, General Manager of SGD Pharma BU APAC, provided insights into the company’s global sustainability goals. SGD Pharma aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 35% by 2030 and an ambitious 65% by 2040 (compared to the 2020 baseline) within scopes 1 and 2. Barbier highlighted SGD Pharma’s participation in the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and ongoing efforts towards decarbonization pathway validation, including scope 3 emissions. Nova emerges as a tangible action in SGD Pharma’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy, showcasing the company’s dedication to supporting beauty brands in developing their own lightweight bottles without compromising functional integrity and design potential.