Coca Cola Europacific Partners Deutschland has expanded its pilot project for the digital tracking of reusable glass bottles to its production site in Lüneburg, Germany. Following the initial implementation at the Bad Neuenahr plant, the technology is now also being tested with 0.75 litre reusable glass bottles for the ViO mineral water brand.
The project is being implemented together with glass packaging manufacturer Vetropack Group and technology startup Myneral Labs. Each reusable glass bottle receives an individual Data Matrix code permanently engraved into the glass, creating a unique digital identity for every bottle.
AI based camera systems installed on the filling lines read the individual codes every time a bottle passes through production. This enables CCEP to collect detailed data on filling cycles, bottle losses, service life, quality and reasons for bottles being removed from the reusable pool.
Until now, circulation rates and bottle losses within reusable glass systems have largely been calculated using historical data, estimates and statistical models. The new system makes it possible to track individual bottles and create a continuous digital history throughout their reusable lifecycle.
The pilot project began in Bad Neuenahr with 0.75 litre Apollinaris reusable glass bottles. Its expansion to Lüneburg now includes ViO bottles and allows larger bottle inventories to be monitored digitally across different production locations.
According to the project partners, the data can support more accurate management of reusable bottle pools, improve resource planning and provide greater transparency regarding bottle circulation and quality.
The technology has also received the German Packaging Award 2026 in the Digitalisation category. The German Packaging Institute highlighted the permanent Data Matrix codes and their ability to enable reliable traceability, data based quality management and transparent analysis of reusable bottle circulation.
The partners describe the system as the first of its kind in the beverage industry. If the pilot continues to deliver positive results, the technology could provide a model for wider digitalisation of reusable glass packaging systems in the beverage sector.
