Black glass for beer bottles

Glass packaging manufacturer Owens-Illinois, has launched a black glass in the Asia-Pacific marketplace following consumer research indicating a strong preference for this colour.

Research commissioned by O-I and conducted by Ipsos in Australia, found black glass was viewed by participants as having a strong visual impact and communicating a premium appearance. Beers in black glass were perceived by focus groups as high-end beverages likely to appear in an exclusive bar or restaurant.

Manufactured in Sydney, O-I’s new black glass beer bottles are commercially available in one design and two closure finishes. O-I is said to be the only glass container manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand able to produce black glass. The bottles are 100% recyclable and provide a number of functional benefits, including good light and UV protection.

Following successful recent applications of O-I’s black glass technology in Latin America and North America, Independent Distillers Australia decided black glass would be the perfect packaging choice for

its new brand Three Kings which will be available in the beer, cider and ready to drink segments.

Independent Distillers Australia’s Marketing Director Steve Williams said black glass helped create three distinct-looking products.

“Australian consumers often assess a product first and foremost on its appearance and, in an overcrowded market, black glass has enabled us to create unique, premium-looking products that will appeal to people looking for something fresh,” said Williams.

O-I Asia Pacific’s General Manager of Marketing and Sales Jacqueline Moth said O-I’s study revealed consumers used a series of distinct colour cues to process and evaluate the vast range of alcoholic beverages available for purchase in Australia.

“The research indicated beer consumers enjoy experimenting with different brands and glass colours play a strong role in determining purchasing decisions in this segment,” said Moth.

“O-I’s new black glass can be applied to all food and beverage categories to create standout products that will attract the attention of consumers in a competitive market.”