O-I, cork stoppers manufacturer Amorim announce European launch of Helix, a cork-glass wine packaging solution; new 'twist to open' concept combines ergonomically-designed stopper and glass bottle with internal thread finish

Mathew Kearney

BORDEAUX, France , June 17, 2013 (press release) – The two global leaders in wine packaging, Amorim and O-I, today announced at Vinexpo the European launch of HELIX, an innovative cork-glass wine packaging solution for the popular premium, fast turnaround still wine segment.

The result of a four-year partnership between Amorim and O-I, the development of HELIX drew on both companies’ innovation capabilities and expertise in serving global wine markets, gained from a heritage that stretches back over a century.

“The future of innovation is through collaboration,” said O-I European President Erik Bouts. “Helix is a proven example of what can be achieved for consumers and the wine trade when the world’s leading companies in glass packaging and cork work together.”



The new ‘twist to open’ concept combines an ergonomically-designed stopper made from cork and a glass bottle with an internal thread finish in the neck, creating a high performing and sophisticated wine packaging solution. HELIX combines all the benefits of cork and glass – quality, sustainability and premium image with user-friendly, re-sealable convenience. It can be quickly and easily implemented by wineries with only a minor adjustment to the existing filling lines.

“HELIX meets consumers’ growing desire for sustainability and quality, while delivering the brand building and premium image packaging wineries rely upon”, added Antonio Amorim, Chairman and CEO of Amorim. “We are delighted to offer the market not only a 100% renewable, modern product, but also a solution that enhances the wine drinking experience through opening and resealing convenience.”

In extensive testing conducted by Amorim and O-I, wine packaged in HELIX glass bottles with cork stoppers showed no alteration in terms of taste, aroma or colour. As part of the development process, market research in France, UK, USA and China revealed great consumer acceptance of HELIX for fast turnaround and popular premium wines. In addition, consumers also appreciated retaining the festive ‘pop’ associated with opening a bottle of wine.

For more information on HELIX, visit www.helixconcept.com

About Amorim

The world’s largest manufacturer of cork stoppers, Amorim (Euronext: COR) has over 140 years’ experience of serving wine producers. Based in Portugal – the largest cork oak forest area in the world – the company supplies cork stoppers to more than 15,000 customers across 82 countries, through a network of fully-owned subsidiaries in every wine market around the world.

Amorim’s wide range of natural and technical stoppers is continually evolving, driven by the company’s extensive R&D process. Technological innovation has steadily improved the performance of cork stoppers in recent years, prompting increasing numbers of wine producers to choose cork in preference to other closures – which has seen Amorim consistently gaining market share.

For more information, visit www.amorim.com or www.amorimcork.com.


About O-I

Owens-Illinois, Inc. (NYSE: OI) is the world's largest glass container manufacturer and preferred partner for many of the world's leading food and beverage brands. With revenues of $7.0 billion in 2012, the company is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, USA, and employs approximately 22,500 people at 79 plants in 21 countries. O-I delivers safe, sustainable, pure, iconic, brand-building glass packaging to a growing global marketplace. O-I’s Glass Is Life™ movement promotes the widespread benefits of glass packaging in key markets around the globe.

With plants historically located in the heart of each of Europe’s main wine-producing regions, O-I has evolved in tandem with the wine industry. Today, it combines a deep understanding of the traditions of wine-making with the strategic vision and technological know-how one would expect from the world’s leading glass packaging manufacturer.

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