DEMAND FOR GLASS BABY BOTTLES SURGES ON CONCERNS OVER BPA IN PLASTICS
Michigan plant resumes manufacturing glass baby bottles after 20-year lull; Industry reports increased demand following concerns of potential health effects of plastics containing the chemical bisphenol A (BPA)
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Glass Packaging Institute reports an upsurge in industry production to meet the growing demand for glass baby bottles after Health Canada recently declared bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in thousands of everyday products such as baby bottles and other hard plastic food and beverage containers, “toxic,” and Members of the U.S. Congress and some state legislatures have started hearings on bills to ban BPA from products intended for children.
"Increasing consumer preferences for pure packaging is leading consumer products goods companies to turn to glass for its inert characteristics and ability to maintain the purity and taste of products,” said Joseph Cattaneo, President of the Glass Packaging Institute. “Glass does not leach and is a proven pure and safe material for human health.”
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I) has resumed production of glass baby bottles after 20 years at a plant in Charlotte, Mich., south of Lansing, according to Kevin Stevens, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America, for O-I.
“Though our glass nurser is not yet on the market, we’ve already received positive reactions to the bottle from several large customers and retail outlets,” says Stevens. “We anticipate it hitting store shelves as early as July. Glass baby bottles have been the choice of generations past and this renewed interest in glass reaffirms that consumers understand it is the safe choice for generations to come.”
Not only is glass impermeable and nonporous, but is also 100% recyclable, cradle-to-cradle packaging, meaning it can be recycled infinitely into new glass containers that are equally as pure as the original. Glass is also the only packaging material rated “GRAS” or “generally regarded as safe” by the Food & Drug Administration.
With the increasing concern regarding the safety of plastic baby bottles, Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc. is taking steps in preparation to meet consumer demand for glass baby bottles. According to the company, bottle drawings from the past are currently being reviewed by Saint-Gobain Containers design and manufacturing departments to spark innovation for new concepts and designs.
“Saint-Gobain Containers has been monitoring the media and has seen an apparent concern. We stand ready and willing to meet customer demand as required,” says John Haack, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Food, Beverage and Spirits Sector. “Saint-Gobain Containers wants to help protect children’s health by supplying the purest and healthiest packaging available - glass baby bottles.”
Vitro Packaging is also responding to the demand for glass baby bottles in Mexico. Vitro already produces glass baby bottles for consumers in Mexico, but is adding capacity. According to Doug Hesche, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Vitro Packaging, “We have had a number of inquiries for baby bottles over past six months, but with the recent issue in Canada, that number has increased dramatically.”
Glass was rated as the healthiest form of packaging by 82 percent of consumers according to a recent consumer study conducted by Newton Marketing & Research.
About O-I
Millions of times a day, O-I glass containers, healthcare packaging and specialty closure systems deliver many of the world's best-known consumer products to people all around the world. With leading positions in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America, O-I provides consumer-preferred products that enable superior taste, purity, visual appeal and value benefits for our customers’ products. Established in 1903, the company employs nearly 30,000 people and has more than 100 manufacturing facilities in 23 countries. In 2006, annual sales were $7.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.o-i.com.
About Saint-Gobain Containers
Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc., the second-largest glass container manufacturer in the United States, serves the food, beverage, beer, spirits and wine containers markets with 14 strategically located manufacturing facilities. It is supported by a state-of-the-art machine shop and a distribution center. Saint-Gobain Containers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, an international industrial group based in Paris, France, and the largest glass manufacturer in the world. For more information, visit www.sgcontainers.com. For more information contact: Gina Behrman at (765) 741-7092, Gina.L.Behrman@saint-gobain.com
About Vitro Packaging
Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: VITROA; NYSE: VTO), is one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world. Through our subsidiary companies we offer products with the highest quality standards and reliable services to satisfy the needs of two distinct business sectors: glass containers and flat glass. Our manufacturing facilities produce, process, distribute and sell a wide range of glass products that offer excellent solutions to multiple industries that include: wine, beer, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, as well as the automotive and construction industry. Also, we supply raw materials, machinery and industrial equipment to different industries. We constantly strive to improve the quality of life for our employees as well as the communities where we do business by generating employment and economic prosperity thanks to our permanent focus on quality and continuous improvement as well as consistent efforts to promote sustainable development. Located in Monterrey, Mexico and founded in 1909, Vitro currently has major facilities and a broad distribution network in nine countries in the Americas and Europe. Additionally, it exports its products around the World. For more information, you can access Vitro’s Website at:http://www.vitro.com
About GPI
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. www.gpi.org
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Contact:
Lauren Dubilzig
O-I, Corporate Communications
(567) 336-1312
Lauren.dubilzig@o-i.com