Packamama, a pioneer in sustainable wine packaging, has been awarded a $100,000 feasibility grant from the Australian Government under the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), Renewables and Low Emissions Round.

This grant is part of a broader $1.43 million funding initiative supporting 15 Australian small and medium-sized enterprises focused on innovations in wine packaging, safe drinking water, and energy efficiency in commercial fishing.

The funding will enable Packamama to explore the technical and commercial potential of sustainable packaging solutions for Australian wines, including premium and longer shelf-life commercial wines.

Supported by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in collaboration with Wine Australia, the initiative addresses a critical challenge for the wine industry: reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the premium quality standards consumers expect.

In 2020-21, the production and transport of glass wine bottles accounted for 74% of the industry’s carbon emissions, primarily due to the weight of glass and its energy-intensive manufacturing process. Packamama’s innovative approach offers a lighter, more eco-friendly solution that aligns with consumer expectations for high-quality wine packaging.

Building on the success of its 100% recycled PET eco-flat bottle, designed for commercial wines, Packamama will now test a new packaging solution that supports premium wine aging and the longer shelf life required for export.

Key Focus Areas:

1. Advanced Materials: Investigating polymers and performance additives to enhance oxygen barrier properties and prevent aroma absorption, ensuring superior wine protection and extended shelf life.
2. Innovative Design: Utilising digital simulations to optimise bottle design and shelf-life performance, meeting both functional and aesthetic standards for premium Australian wines.
3. Scalable Production: Exploring advanced manufacturing technologies to enable widespread adoption across Australia and international markets.

Santiago Navarro, CEO and founder of Packamama, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for driving change in the wine industry, stating, “We are excited to lead the way in transforming the packaging landscape to deliver sustainable solutions without compromising quality.”

“This grant allows us to accelerate our vision of combining sustainability with functionality to better meet the demands of more Australian wine producers and consumers, including those overseas,” said Navarro. “By moving beyond traditional glass, we can significantly reduce emissions and contribute to Australia’s net-zero goals.”