Vetropack is breaking new ground in improving the environmental sustainability of the Austrian wine industry with two innovative solutions. The glass packaging manufacturer has further developed the classic 75 centilitre Rhinewine bottle, significantly reducing its weight while retaining the same dimensions. Weighing just 350 grams, it is currently the lightest Rhinewine bottle in Europe.
At the same time, Vetropack is supporting the recently introduced reusable wine bottle system in Austria with a newly developed reusable Rhinewine bottle.
The benefits for wine bottlers are considerable. The reduced bottle weight lowers CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain, from production and transport to distribution. It also reduces material, logistics and licensing costs. This is particularly relevant for export markets with weight restrictions on glass packaging. Regional production in Austria further shortens transport routes and improves the product’s environmental footprint. In addition, the lightweight bottle is made from around 80 percent recycled glass. Compared with a conventional Rhinewine bottle, the lightweight bottle generates 33 grams, or 13 percent, less CO2 over a transport distance of 100 kilometres.
With this significantly lighter Rhinewine bottle, Vetropack is setting a new benchmark for the industry: Despite its reduced weight, the bottle retains its familiar shape without compromising stability or functionality. The new Rhinewine bottle has been available in olive and cuvée since April 2026.
Following a two-year development phase, a pooling scheme for reusable wine bottles is being launched in Austria. The Austrian Ecology Institute is coordinating the project in close collaboration with winegrowers and key stakeholders. Vetropack is already producing the new returnable Rhinewine bottles at its Pöchlarn site. The olive-green bottle has been available to all businesses participating in the pool scheme since spring 2026.
With a height of 340 millimetres, the bottle is optimised for efficiency in logistics and can be stacked up to four layers high. A four-sided reusable embossing ensures that the bottle remains clearly identifiable at all times. In addition, this is the first reusable wine bottle with a BVS finish to be produced in Austria. This reinforced, specially developed neck ensures the necessary robustness for reusable cycles and industrial filling processes.