Thinking about sustainability holistically: That's why organic juices don't belong in petroleum-based plastic.
Organic juices – from contents to packaging: How beverage manufacturers avoid microplastics and plasticizers through bioplastics
The demand for organic juices and natural beverages is steadily growing, and with it, consumer expectations: organic juices should not only be high-quality, but also meet the highest ecological standards throughout the entire value chain. For beverage manufacturers and bottlers operating in the organic segment, sustainability is thus evolving from a trend to a strategic necessity.
But how can a company transform into a truly sustainable business that goes far beyond organic certification of its contents? The key lies in a holistic approach to packaging, health and safety, production, and logistics.
The core of the changeover: environmentally friendly and health-safe packaging.
The choice of packaging material is crucial for improving both the environmental footprint and addressing health concerns. Surely someone who specifically targets organic juices wouldn't want them bottled in petroleum-based plastic bottles? While conventional plastics are often derived from petroleum and can contain questionable substances, innovative plant-based solutions offer a clear alternative.
A focus on bioplastics
Modern packaging relies on bioplastics made from rapidly renewable raw materials, such as PLA and rPLA bioplastic bottles and cans . These bottles and cans are based on natural resources (plants/lactic acid) and are therefore petroleum-free.
Drinking pleasure without plasticizers
A crucial health advantage: Unlike many conventional PET bottles, bioplastics such as PLA/rPLA do not contain harmful plasticizers like bisphenol A (BPA) , phthalates, or antimony. The natural material base ensures that no potentially harmful substances can leach from the packaging into the bottled beverage – an essential point, especially for sensitive organic juices.
No permanent microplastics in nature
The ecological benefits extend beyond resource conservation. If bioplastic packaging were to accidentally end up in nature, there is a fundamental difference compared to petroleum-based plastics. For example, NaKu PLA/rPLA bottles are compostable (according to DIN 13432). When these decompose in the environment (e.g., through littering), no persistent, potentially harmful microplastics are produced. In contrast, conventional plastics break down into tiny particles that remain in the environment for extremely long periods and cause damage.
Furthermore, the often lower weight of these materials contributes to CO2 savings during transport.
Of particular interest here is the topic, recently raised through media reports, of "How much microplastic and nanoplastic do we ingest by drinking from PET bottles ?".
Consistently implement a circular economy
Despite the advantages of compostability, the goal should always be a circular economy. Where single-use packaging is used, the highest possible proportion of recycled material (such as rPLA) should be employed to maximize resource efficiency. Packaging must be designed to allow for efficient and homogeneous recycling, and waste management systems must implement the sorting and separation of different materials.
Recycling and the circular economy are crucial for our future. We are frequently asked how renewable and recyclable materials are handled in the recycling process, or rather, how a recycling process can actually work. Watch our video to learn more about the recycling process using PLA bottles and PLA material as an example.
Resource and energy efficiency in production
The bottling processes themselves offer great potential for sustainability. Switching to renewable energies and using energy-efficient bottling and cleaning lines directly reduces the CO2 footprint . In particular, the use of waste heat from production processes (e.g., for heating) improves overall efficiency. Closed water cycles and optimized cleaning methods can drastically reduce specific water consumption, which is traditionally very high in the beverage industry.
Short distances in logistics and procurement
Organic producers, in particular, can strengthen their credibility through local partnerships. Sourcing fruit and raw materials from the region not only reduces transport emissions but also ensures greater transparency and quality in the supply chain. The conscious use of lighter packaging (such as bioplastics) and the planning of efficient routes through digital management systems further reduces logistical CO2 emissions.
Conclusion
Sustainability in the beverage industry is a holistic concept that begins with the product itself and extends to packaging, health and safety, and end-of-life scenarios. For modern beverage manufacturers – especially in the organic segment – switching to innovative, petroleum-free, and health-safe solutions such as bioplastic bottles, which also do not leave behind persistent microplastics in the environment, is an important step towards assuming ecological responsibility and meeting consumer expectations.
Appendix: Table for material comparison
| feature | PET /rPET | PLA/rPLA (bioplastic) | Glass | aluminum can | Tetra pak |
| Raw material base | Petroleum (fossil) / Recycling (rPET) | Renewable (plants, lactic acid) / Recycling (rPLA) | Quartz sand, lime, soda (natural) | Bauxite (natural ore) | Composite material (cardboard, PE, aluminum) |
| Renewable resources | No | Ja | No | No | Partially (cardboard portion) |
| Weight (transport efficiency) | Slightly | Very lightweight (7% lighter than PET) | Very difficult | Slightly | Slightly |
| Free from plasticizers (e.g. BPA) | No (often traces, also BPA alternatives) | Yes (completely free) | Ja | No (BPA liners are often present) | No (PE liner) |
| Formation of permanent microplastics during decomposition | Ja | No (it decomposes without permanent microplastics) | No | No | Yes (plastic layer) |
| Circularity/Recycling | Well established (especially rPET) | Quite possible, but the infrastructure is still under construction. | Very good (almost 100% without loss of quality) | Very good (high recycling rate) | Challenging (due to the interconnected structure) |
| Compostability (Industrial) | No | Yes (DIN 13432, depending on the product) | No | No | No |
| Suitable for hot filling | Yes (special variants) | No (Max. approx. 55 °C) | Yes very good) | Ja | Ja |
| Light protection | Low (transparent) | Low (transparent) | Low (transparent) | Very good! | Very good! |
| Suitability for carbonated drinks | Expert | Limited/special variants required | Expert | Very good! | Expert |
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about beverage packaging and sustainability
Why shouldn't organic juices and natural products be bottled in conventional petroleum-based plastic bottles?
Many consumers perceive the bottling of organic products in petroleum-based plastic bottles as contradictory. Conventional plastic is based on fossil resources and can release microplastics over time. Using packaging made from renewable raw materials such as bioplastics (e.g., PLA/rPLA) represents the consistent continuation of the sustainability concept from product to packaging.
What exactly is the advantage of PLA/rPLA bottles in terms of product health?
PLA/rPLA bottles and cans are made from natural raw materials (plants, lactic acid) and contain no harmful plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, or antimony. This means that none of these questionable chemicals can leach from the packaging into the filled beverage.
Do permanent microplastic particles also form in bioplastic bottles such as PLA/rPLA?
No. The key advantage of bioplastics is that, unlike petroleum-based plastics, they do not produce persistent, potentially harmful microplastics during the decomposition process (for example, in compost or if mistakenly disposed of in nature) . The materials are designed to break down into their natural components.
Are PLA/rPLA packages only compostable or also recyclable?
PLA/rPLA is both. The bottles can be industrially composted (according to DIN 13432), but the material can also be recycled and reused as recyclate (rPLA) in new packaging. As with any material, the effective cycle depends on the availability of the appropriate recycling infrastructure.
What role does the weight of the packaging play in the sustainability balance?
Weight is a crucial factor in logistics. PLA/rPLA bottles are on average about 7% lighter than conventional PET plastic. This weight advantage significantly reduces fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions during transport.
Are bioplastic bottles suitable for all types of drinks (juices, water, milk)?
Bioplastic bottles are ideal for a variety of beverages such as juices, smoothies, still water, cooking oils, and milk drinks. Temperature resistance is important: they are not suitable for hot filling and should not be used at temperatures exceeding approximately 55°C.
How can beverage manufacturers improve the energy efficiency of their bottling plants?
Measures include switching to renewable energies, using waste heat (e.g. from sterilization or compressor processes), and modernizing old plants with more energy-efficient filling and cleaning lines.
What is meant by "Design for Recycling"?
"Design for Recycling" means that packaging is designed to be recycled optimally and with minimal effort. This includes using single-material types and avoiding complex material composites that make recycling more difficult.
What is the biggest difference between bioplastics and recycled PET (rPET)?
rPET uses recycled petroleum-based plastic, which conserves resources. Bioplastics (PLA/rPLA) are based on renewable raw materials and are therefore independent of fossil resources. Furthermore, bioplastics offer the advantage of being free of harmful plasticizers and not releasing permanent microplastics.
How does regional sourcing of raw materials contribute to sustainability?
Especially with organic juices, sourcing fruits and other ingredients regionally significantly reduces transport distances and thus logistics emissions. This also strengthens local agriculture and increases transparency and trust in the product.
Request a quote or contact us now
