New Survey: Glass packaging scores big among European consumers

13.12.2010

New Survey: Glass packaging scores big among European consumers

A new survey reveals that an overwhelming majority (88%) of European consumers prefer glass packaging over other packaging materials to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. When asked about their packaging preferences in five different categories related to health and the environment, more than two thirds of consumers chose glass packaging over other packaging materials.

The survey, conducted by global market research company TNS, polled more than 9500 consumers across 19 countries in Europe. The survey confirms that consumers recognize the health and environmental advantages of glass and will choose glass as their first choice over other packaging materials.

“Consumers are more health conscious than ever before – they really care about which substances are entering their bodies and the effects of packaging on the environment,” says a spoke person from Yioula Glassworks. Yioula Glassworks is a member of FEVE - the European Container Glass Federation that is based in Brussels that commissioned the survey and supports the Friends of Glass European consumer forum. In Bulgaria it is the leading force in glass packaging through DRUJBA GLASSWORKS SA.

One of the main health benefits of glass is that it is inert, so it will not interact with or alter the product inside. The survey shows that 83% of European consumers trust glass to protect food and beverages against chemicals often found in other packaging materials. According to consumers, glass also does the best job of protecting the nutritional quality of food and drinks. One reason for this is that glass is impermeable and offers an excellent barrier to gases that can affect vitamins and freshness. When asked which packaging they prefer to keep their food and beverages healthy, 83% of respondents chose glass.

About DRUJBA Glassworks SA DRUJBA GLASSWORKS SA (www.drujba.bg) is the leading manufacturer of high quality glass containers both in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula. The company operates through a certified total quality management system in compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, ISO 22000. Through its state-of-the-art production facilities in Sofia and Plovdiv DRUJBA GLASSWORKS produce appr. one billion glass containers p.a. for wine, beer, food-stuff, various beverages, etc. , which reach the markets in more than 30 countries all over the world, like CIS, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom, etc. The major wine producers, the fruit and beverage processors in Bulgaria, as well as the big international beverage companies like Carlsberg, Coca Cola, Heineken, Inbev, rank among the numerous clients who count on DRUJBA GLASSWORKS SA as their supplier and reliable business partner.

About YIOULA Glassworks

YIOULA glass containers - for soft drinks, juices, wines, spirits, mineral water, food and pharmaceuticals - deliver many of the world's best-known products to people in 30 countries, while its glass tableware products are present in millions of households and catering establishments across Europe. With a leading position in S.E.Europe, YIOULA manufactures consumer-preferred, 100 percent and infinitely recyclable glass containers that enable superior taste, purity, safety, hygiene, visual appeal and value benefits. Established in 1947, the company employs nearly 2,500 people with 7 manufacturing facilities in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. In 2009, net sales were almost 200 million euro. For more information, visit www.yioula.com

About FEVE

FEVE (The European Container Glass Federation) is the association of European manufacturers of glass packaging containers and machine-made glass tableware. The federation represents the glass container industry at the international, and especially European, level and serves as a forum for examining common questions. FEVE maintains a dialogue with the European institutions and agencies on environmental, trade and other important issues. The federation promotes glass packaging and glass recycling, complementing the activities of the glass industry at the national level. http://www.feve.org. More about FEVE Members at: http://www.feve.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=35

About Friends of Glass

Friends of Glass is a European consumer forum that supports and promotes the right for consumers to be able to choose food and drink products in glass packaging. It unites all those who believe glass is the clear choice for themselves, their families and for the environment. Friends of Glass was initiated in 2009 by the European Container Glass Federation (or FEVE) in response to a survey commissioned by FEVE, which found that 74% of European consumers prefer glass packaging for their food and drinks.

About Glass

Glass is made from natural, sustainable raw materials. It is the preferred packaging for consumer health and the environment. As primary packaging, glass containers assure the preservation, safe delivery and attractive presentation of a vast array of consumer products, supplied to European and world markets. Whether used for drinks, food, cosmetics, perfumes or pharmaceuticals, glass plays a vital role in supporting European trade and commerce.