Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G, Cincinnati, Ohio / USA; www.pg.com) has started producing bottles for its “Pantene” shampoo and conditioners made from sugarcane-based plastic. The bottles, which will be used for the “Pro-V Nature Fusion” range, will be launched in Europe later this year, with expansion to the rest of the world over the next two years.

The decision to switch to packaging based on renewable sources is part of P&G’s new sustainability agenda – see Plasteurope.com of 07.10.2010. The company intends to replace 25% of petroleum-based materials with sustainably sourced renewable materials by 2020, and the long-term goal is to use 100% renewable or recycled materials for all its products. “The use of sugarcane-based plastic in our Nature Fusion packaging allows us to offer the same performance consumers expect from Pantene but in a more sustainable way,” said Hanneke Faber, P&G vice president and brand franchise leader for Pantene. “We're thrilled to be the first hair care brand to use this technology on its packaging.”