Targeting differentiation, bottle manufacturers are offering the wines and spirits sector new decoration techniques previously reserved for perfume bottles. From 2008-2011, French company Sobodec will invest around 2M Euros globally, improving capacity, technology and quality and doubling satin finishing and screen printing facilities. It estimates only 5% of drinks bottles (400m) annually are decorated, compared with around 90% of perfume bottles. Its estimated turnover for 2008 is 16M Euros (14M in 2006). New electronic screen printing facilities mean Saga can decorate cylindrical, polygonal or oval shaped bottles. O-I has reduced glass weight from 200g to 160g and standardised shapes for its low cost market. It has increased production of one-to-one personalised shapes for top quality vineyards & for the burgeoning single serve markets.
