Modernized design will save an estimated 1,146 tons of plastic use kingdom-wide

Riyadh, 05 June 2013

In an effort to drastically reduce local plastic use, PepsiCo has developed a new and lighter environmentally friendly bottle for its Aquafina bottled water featuring a more contemporary design.  

At a press conference and media tour of its bottling plant in Riyadh, Mr.  Bassam Al-Sadik, Franchise Director - Saudi Arabia at PepsiCo GCC BU, said: "The reduction in plastic use will save an estimated 1,146 tons of plastic for bottles and 107 tons of plastic for caps, annually across Saudi Arabia, resulting in a lighter bottle for a cleaner environment."

Al-Sadik further stated that changing the design would allow PepsiCo to take advantage of the latest technology in new cap and preform options, with the new format opening doors for future lighter weight versions.

In addition, the new bottle will reduce annual usage of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin by 2500 metric tons and weight reduction of 10% on 1.5-liter bottles, 20% on 330- milliliter bottles and 30% on 600-milliliter bottles. As well, the updated design and weight reduction is easier to crush, thus reducing its impact on local and regional landfills.

The launch of the new bottle will be supported with exciting marketing activities which include outdoor and print advertising, exposure to Aquafina's purity guaranteeing 'Hydro7 process' on a popular TV show, and consumer engagement in major malls with an opportunity for them to win a year's supply of Aquafina.

 Commenting on the level of quality at the Aquafina plant in Riyadh, Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Jomaih, Assistant General Manager of Al-Jomaih Bottling Plants said," PepsiCo has a historic and strategic relationship with Al-Jomaih that enables them to constantly ensure the purity and quality of Aquafina in maintaining the brand's popular appeal. To accomplish this, the plant is a highly advanced bottling operation that utilizes the Hydro 7 purification process to ensure that Aquafina is produced according to the highest international standards, therefore guaranteeing its purity."

The Hydro 7 process is a highly sophisticated technique for water purification involving several steps to ensure an end product of Aquafina that is safe, pure and clean. The process begins with a preliminary filtration step to separate microscopic particles in the water using filtration techniques (step 1). The water then moves on to active carbon separation whereby trace elements that affect water taste are removed (step 2). Then the water passes through a high intensity light (UV light) to eliminate any organic matter and microorganisms present in the water (step 3). This takes the water through a reverse osmosis process which removes 98 % of total dissolved solids by pressure and hyper filter (step 4). From here the water passes onto a polishing filter which makes the water crystal clear (step 5). Next some salts are added back to the water and then it will pass through the final filtration step (step 6). The final step of the Hydro 7 process is Ozonation, which involves water passing through purified oxygen rich air through a generating cell. This is the final sterilization step. The stages of water purification are very well maintained to achieve the end product - Aquafina - that meets the highest quality standards.

Because PepsiCo is world renowned for its commitment to the highest standards in production and bottling, the Al-Jomaih plant in Riyadh and Qassim have received ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Certificate 22000:2005, which covers food safety management including manufacturing, bottling, storing and distributing carbonated soft drinks and bottled water.

The awarding of the ISO certificate is a continuation of Al-Jomaih Bottling Plant's achievements, which follows the 2009 award of the quality mark from Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) after passing all the quality tests and receiving the SASO Seal of Approval.

PepsiCo's people are united by their unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which they believe means a more successful future for PepsiCo. This commitment is called Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes, to find innovative ways to minimize the impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for the company's associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where PepsiCo operates.

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About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses - Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola - make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages loved throughout the world.

PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also, means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment, Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes, to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate.

More information at www.pepsico.com

For further information please contact:
Saeed Al Amoudi
Senior Media Relations Executive
TRACCS, Jeddah KSA
Tel: +966 2 662 5757
Fax: +966 2 639 9540
Email:  saeed.alamoudi@traccs.net

© Press Release 2013