Global spirits company Bacardi has expanded its partnership with EcoSpirits, securing full access to the circular economy technology company’s integrated platform.
Under the agreement, Bacardi will leverage EcoSpirits’ complete suite of technology solutions, including EcoSpirits, EcoTote, SmartPour, EcoPlant and CircularOne software.
The development builds on a partnership established in August 2023, when Bacardi became the first spirits company to introduce circular packaging to the cruise industry.
Working alongside EcoSpirits and Carnival Cruise Line, Bacardi has demonstrated circular packaging’s ability to support high-volume cruise operations while maintaining quality and operational performance.
Since launching the sustainability initiative with Bacardí Carta Blanca rum in 2023, more than 130,000 single-use glass bottles have been eliminated, preventing over 82,000kg of packaging waste.
The expanded partnership provides a roadmap for Bacardi to extend the platform across additional brands, channels and sectors, supporting its transition away from single-use glass towards more circular solutions.
Beyond expanding access to EcoSpirits’ platform, the agreement also strengthens technical collaboration between the companies.
Bacardi contributed directly to the development of the EcoTote 3.0SC Cruise Edition, a purpose-built solution designed for maritime environments with enhanced corrosion resistance and compliance with United States Public Health hygiene regulations.
The new deal also extends the companies’ collaboration on technology solutions for cruise ships, resorts and other high-volume hospitality settings.
EcoSpirits CEO Paul Gabie said, “Our collaboration with Bacardi began with a bold idea: bringing circular packaging to the cruise industry for the first time.
“Since then, we’ve demonstrated what this model can deliver in a complex, high-volume environment.
“This new global agreement marks an important next step in our collaboration and creates a framework to explore broader future opportunities together across additional channels and sectors.
“The technical collaboration we’ve built with Bacardi also shows how brand owners and technology partners can work together to accelerate the transition away from single-use glass.”
Bacardi VP, Corporate Sustainability, Global Safety & Quality Rodolfo Nervi added, “At Bacardi, Good Spirited is about making better choices for both people and planet, while continuing to grow our business the right way.
“Expanding our work in circular packaging builds on real progress we’ve already made to reduce waste across our portfolio and reflects our ambition to keep raising the bar. This agreement shows how collaboration and innovation can help accelerate positive change at scale.”
Under its Good Spirited corporate sustainability programme, Bacardi is reducing packaging waste across brands including Bacardí rum, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón tequila, Martini vermouth and Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky.
This includes increasing the use of reusable, recyclable and biodegradable packaging, alongside the removal of plastic pourers, secondary packaging plastics and plastic point-of-sale materials. 🛳️
