Bulk Shipping of Wine and its Implications for Product Quality

The following is an excerpt from a full report published by WRAP (Waste & Resource Action Programme, UK) from May 2008. The report was prepared as part of the WRAP-funded GlassRite suite of projects which were intended to reduce the volume of packaging entering the UK waste stream. The GlassRite-Wine project has the objective of seeking to promote the bulk importation of wine into the UK to be filled in lightweighted bottles. This report is concerned with the effects of bulk transportation on the quality of wine. The report examines the practice of shipping wine in bulk for bottling close to the final market and its impact on wine quality.

This report finds that the practice of bulk importation of wine does not impair quality and has some environmental and logistical advantages; specifically it concludes that:

• Bulk wine is less prone to experience large temperature variations during transit, as a larger single volume of liquid has a greater thermal inertia than a smaller one. Transporting wine in bulk volumes will therefore lessen the temperature variation experienced. High temperatures accelerate wine development and, in bottles this can cause pressures that can compromise closures;
• Apart from top end wine specifically made with bottle ageing and longevity in mind, wine effectively begins to deteriorate from the time it is filled into bottles and its is at this filling point that the shelf life is deemed to start. Bulk shipping defers the moment of bottling and thus the start of the shelf life. This has implications for the retailer in regards to stock levels and rotation, as the entirety of the shelf life is spent in the country of sale rather than during transport, which may be an advantage for entry level wines with a more limited shelf life;
• Bulk shipments are more cost effective. A standard container typically holds 12,000 to 13,000 bottles, whilst a standard flexitank holds the equivalent of approximately 32,000 bottles. This improved utilization translates into a cost saving;
• Bulk shipments are a better environmental option that transporting bottled wine from the producer country. By more than doubling the amount of product that can be shipped in a standard container and by avoiding the transport of bottles, bulk importing greatly reduces environmental emissions associated with transport;
• The finished product is filled closer to the final market. Filling and packaging close to market may also give the sellers more flexibility to change packaging formats to meet changing market demands and even enable them to respond to short term promotional campaigns; and
• Damage to packaging e.g. bottle and label scuffing, may be reduced if the product is filled locally to the point of sale and problems that do occur can be readily resolved with a local supplier.
  On balance the report concludes that the practice of bulk importing wines need have no adverse quality implications on the wine and brings actual benefits with respect to cost efficiencies, carbon emission reductions and recycling.

The full WRAP report can be found here.

EPT’s Wine-Pac is the perfect bulk packaging solution made specifically for the wine industry.

EPT Wine-Pac Flexitank Mentioned In Drinks Report

EPT Wine-Pac Flexitank

Special thanks to the Drinks Report, an online magazine that focuses on wine packaging and technology, for their recent mention of bulk liquid packaging company, Environmental Packaging Technologies, launching its Wine-Pac Flexitank system at the 2010 London International Wine Fair.

To read the entire “New Packaging and Environmental Initiatives on Show at the London International Wine Fair” article, visit the Drinks Report Online Magazine and scroll down to the sixth paragraph.

For more information on Wine-Pac Flexitanks visit the EPT website.

Day 3 at London International Wine Fair

EPT Wine-Pac Exhibit LIWF

Last day of the London Wine Fair was still eventful with lots of visitors stopping by our booth to check out our Swept-bar Bulkhead display and sample flexitank.

We were able to introduce the flexitank as a great bulk wine shipping solution to those newer to the business and able to demonstrate the improvements and innovations we’ve made to those companies that have been shipping bulk wine this way for years.

All in all, EPT had a successful exhibit at the LIWF and we’re very glad to have had the opportunity to meet with so many nice people face to face.

Day 2 At London International Wine Fair

EPT Booth LIWF 2010

More guests arrived today for a slightly heavier crowd through the halls and at our exhibit.  There’s a lot of interest in flexitanks as an economical packaging option for bulk wines. Our booth includes a small, sample flexitank which has been very helpful in illustrating the product and educating those not familiar with the packaging.

Tonight kicks off the opening reception for the Container Owners Association (COA) meetings that will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 20 at the Crowne Plaza Canary Wharf.  The COA is holding their regional meeting to coincide with the London International Wine Fair to take advantage of the number of large global shipping lines present at the Fair.  One of the key items on the COA agenda is the Code of Practice for flexitanks.  Environmental Packaging Technologies will be present for these discussions.

EPT Reporting From the London International Wine Fair

EPT Wine-Pac Flexitank

The London International Wine Fair (LIWF) opened today at the ExCel in London.  Small vineyards to global wine companies come from all over the world to feature their wines at this event.  Environmental Packaging Technologies is participating for the first time at the LIWF to show off our new Wine-Pac Flexitank for bulk wine packaging.

There are over 25,000 bottles from 1,200 exhibitors this year and the attendance looks very strong…even though volcanic ash played havoc with a few airports today!  We’ve met with some of the major shipping lines involved in moving bulk wine around the globe and have had visitors from South Africa, Chile, Argentina and many more.

It’s an exciting event that runs through Thursday.  I’ll report again tomorrow as more visitors come to London for this important industry event.