Wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard has expanded its partnership with ecoSPIRITS, a circular economy technology provider, through a five-year global licensing agreement.  

Through this collaboration, Pernod's spirits brands will be distributed using ecoSPIRITS' circular packaging technology to on-trade venues globally.  

The products can be transported in bulk and delivered to hospitality venues in a 100% reusable 4.5-litre glass ecoTOTE container. 

This initiative eliminates excess waste and carbon emissions from the production and transportation of secondary packaging and bottles. 

The move aligns with Pernod's 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap, 'Good Times from a Good Place', which prioritises circularity in the spirits industry. 

The extended partnership builds on a pilot programme that started in Singapore in 2022, where Pernod gained insights into the operational, technological, and sustainability aspects of circular distribution.  

The pilot's success led to the introduction of a closed-loop system for Havana Club's rum in Cuba, featuring a dedicated ecoPLANT at the Havana Club distillery in San José de las Lajas. 

Pernod integrated Operations and Sustainability EVP Maria Pia De Caro said: "This next step in our partnership with ecoSPIRITS reflects our belief in the transformative power of this solution to enhance operational efficiency and reduce not only our environmental footprint, but the impact of our industry at large. 

“We are excited to continue working together to refine, scale and champion ecoSPIRITS as the future of wine and spirits distribution.” 

The original pilot project saw the successful deployment of three of Pernod's spirits brands - Beefeater London Dry Gin, Havana Club Rum, and Absolut Vodka - in the ecoTOTE format, using cobranded SmartPour technology.  

These brands, along with additional ones from the group’s portfolio, will be introduced to new markets under the new global agreement.