The Absolut Company and Ardagh Group sign 10-year partnership

Sustainability a key focus for historic agreement

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Jul 19, 2019, 06:00 ET

LUXEMBOURG, July 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardagh Group in Limmared, Sweden has signed a 10-year agreement with The Absolut Company, owned by Pernod Ricard, the world's second largest wine-and spirits producer. The agreement sees Ardagh supply The Absolut Company with glass bottles for their Absolut Vodka brand. At its core, the partnership will focus on sustainability, innovation and future growth. Both companies are committed to keeping their environmental impact as low as possible and the agreement will ensure that carbon emissions are further reduced in the production of the iconic glass bottles.

The Absolut Company is Sweden's single largest exporter in the food sector accounting for approximately 10 percent of its food exports. Sustainability is at the core of The Absolut Company's operations and its distillery in Åhus is carbon neutral with the residue product, stillage, reused for animal feed. "It is very exciting to see the result of a cooperation between two companies located in small Swedish towns; The Absolut Company in Åhus and Ardagh Group in Limmared, reach out to more than 120 markets around the world," said Anna Malmhake, CEO of The Absolut Company. "The great thing about this long-term partnership is that we can act on a world leading level when it comes to innovation and sustainability, throughout the whole supply chain."

Ardagh's production facility in Limmared is the largest supplier of the Absolut Vodka bottle since the brand's launch 40 years ago. Ardagh produce more than 100 million Absolut Vodka bottles every year in Sweden's oldest operating glassworks, founded in 1740. Today, Ardagh Limmared employs approximately 480 people and is extremely proud to produce one of the world's most admired beverage bottles. The Absolut Vodka bottles are produced using more than 40 percent recycled glass. In fact, 60 percent of all Swedish recycled clear glass is used in the production of Absolut Vodka bottles.

"We are delighted The Absolut Company have renewed their trust in Ardagh to consistently deliver quality, sustainable packaging," said Bo Nilsson, Operations Director Nordic, Ardagh Group. "Our team at Limmared has worked in partnership with Absolut for 40 years, consistently delivering premium, innovative products. Ardagh shares their commitment to sustainable packaging and, with this latest agreement, looks forward to cooperating on further advances for many years in the future."

The agreement lasts until 2029 and is The Absolut Company's largest supplier agreement. It not only secures capacity for future growth but will also provide access to world-class innovation and quality.

For more information please visit ardaghgroup.com

Imagery available for download: www.ardaghgroup.com/press-releases

Notes to the editor

Ardagh Group is a global supplier of infinitely recyclable, metal and glass packaging for the world's leading brands. Ardagh operates more than 100 metal and glass production facilities in 22 countries across five continents, employing over 23,000 people with sales of $9bn.

The Absolut Company, a brand company within Pernod Ricard, has responsibility for the production, innovation and strategic marketing of Absolut Vodka, Malibu, Kahlúa, Our/Vodka and Åhus Akvavit. Absolut Vodka is the world's sixth largest spirit brand by volume. Every bottle of Absolut Vodka comes from one source, Åhus in southern Sweden, produced with the same continuous distillation as was introduced by its progressive founder LO Smith. Today it is Sweden's single largest food export. Malibu is the number one rum-based coconut spirit in the world. Kahlúa coffee liqueur is the world leader in its category. The company has 520 employees and sales in more than 120 markets. Chairman and CEO is Anna Malmhake.

SOURCE Ardagh Group