ecoSPIRITS Closes USD 10 Million Series A Fundraise Led by Closed Loop Partners

SINGAPORE 10 May 2023 ecoSPIRITS has raised USD 10 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round, led by New York-based circular economy investment firm, Closed Loop Partners. Four leading Asian and global institutional investors have also joined the funding round, including food sector private equity investor, Proterra Asia; Pavilion Capital; Convivialité Ventures, the venture arm of global wine and spirits leader, Pernod Ricard; and ecoSPIRITS’ existing venture capital investor, Wavemaker Partners. The Series A proceeds will be used to strengthen ecoSPIRITS’ leadership position in closed loop packaging technologies for spirits and wine and accelerate its research and development program.

Sui Ling Cheah, ecoSPIRITS Executive Board Chair

“We are thrilled with the successful close of our Series A round, which not only validates ecoSPIRITS’ impressive progress in building a comprehensive technology platform, but also marks a significant milestone in our journey to global scale. We are equally honoured to welcome leading investors to our journey such as Closed Loop Partners, Proterra Asia, Pavilion Capital and Convivialité Ventures. The future gets brighter when more resources are invested in circular economy innovation.”

The new funding will help ecoSPIRITS scale up its hardware, software and Internet-of-Things (IoT) research and development program, expanding its investment in its Intelligent Circular™ roadmap. The funding will also be used to expand operations in key markets worldwide, including the United States, and grow its regional customer and engineering teams in Miami, London, Singapore and Shanghai. At the time of funding, the ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop technology platform is active or launching in 25 countries worldwide, including the majority of the world’s largest economies.

 

The new investors bring deep expertise in the circular economy, sustainability, the food sector and wine and spirits to the ecoSPIRITS journey. Series A lead investor, Closed Loop Partners, is a leading investment firm dedicated to the transition to the circular economy. A registered B Corp, Closed Loop Partners advances circular solutions across plastics & packaging, food & organics, fashion & beauty and supply chain technology.

The new funding will help ecoSPIRITS scale up its hardware, software and Internet-of-Things (IoT) research and development program, expanding its investment in its Intelligent Circular™ roadmap. The funding will also be used to expand operations in key markets worldwide, including the United States, and grow its regional customer and engineering teams in Miami, London, Singapore and Shanghai. At the time of funding, the ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop technology platform is active or launching in 25 countries worldwide, including the majority of the world’s largest economies.

The new investors bring deep expertise in the circular economy, sustainability, the food sector and wine and spirits to the ecoSPIRITS journey. Series A lead investor, Closed Loop Partners, is a leading investment firm dedicated to the transition to the circular economy. A registered B Corp, Closed Loop Partners advances circular solutions across plastics & packaging, food & organics, fashion & beauty and supply chain technology.

Bennett Cohen, Managing Director and Co-Head of the Closed Loop Growth Opportunities Fund at Closed Loop Partners

“There is immense opportunity to scale circular solutions across the supply chain for premium spirits and wine. Through their innovative reusable packaging technology, ecoSPIRITS is leading the transition to a less wasteful future for the industry – one that is not dependent on carbon-intensive single use glass. The Closed Loop Growth Opportunities Fund invests in scaling circular economy solutions for global industry, and we look forward to supporting the ecoSPIRITS team as they expand into new geographies and grow their global partnerships with leading wine and spirits brands.”

Proterra Asia is a private equity fund manager focused on investing in the Asian food sector. Over the past decade Proterra Asia has invested more than USD 1 billion in more than 30 companies that are contributing to the continued development of the food and agri industries across Asia. This investment was made via the Proterra Asia Food Strategy, which seeks to capitalise on the accelerating consumer demand that comes with growing urban populations and the emergence of a new generation of consumers looking for safe, high quality food products with a focus on health, nutrition, convenience, social impact and sustainability.

Tai Lin, Managing Partner, Proterra Asia

“At Proterra we believe firmly in the business case for more sustainable food and beverage packaging. We are incredibly excited about the potential impact of the ecoSPIRITS’ system in reducing carbon emissions and packaging waste while improving the business economics of the entire supply chain and look forward to partnering closely with Paul Gabie and his team as they continue to scale globally.”

Singapore-based Pavilion Capital is an active private equity investor across various sectors in Asia and embraces sustainability and ESG principles in its investment activities. Convivialité Ventures is the venture capital arm of the world’s second largest drinks company and leading ecoSPIRITS customer, Pernod Ricard. Through Convivialité Ventures, Pernod Ricard is partnering with and investing in start-ups that are embracing the future of hospitality, in areas such as technology, hospitality and entertainment. The investment comes as Pernod Ricard is in the process of expanding its existing technology partnership with ecoSPIRITS to markets outside of Asia.

Stéphane Longuet, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Convivialité Ventures

“We are very pleased to participate in this investment, which will help develop a company that is offering such an innovative solution to our industry, by drastically reducing waste and carbon emissions. ecoSPIRITS’ approach is perfectly in line with our Group’s objectives to reduce its carbon emissions and we are looking forward to using it on a large scale around the world.”

Convivialité Ventures’ investment in ecoSPIRITS also marks the launch of a special equity investment program that will provide an opportunity for ecoSPIRITS’ most important global partners to support closed loop packaging innovation. Over time, the equity program will be open to key partners who are committing to the circular economy transition as part of their own supply chain innovation and sustainability programs. Customer partners participating in the equity program will be subject to confidentiality and other restrictions that guarantee universal access and equal treatment for all users of ecoSPIRITS’ global technology platform.

Existing ecoSPIRITS investor, Wavemaker Partners, will also be participating in the Series A fundraise, building on a seed investment in the company that was completed in late 2020. A leading Southeast Asia venture capital fund, Wavemaker Partners is dedicated to investing in solutions in enterprise, deep tech, sustainability and climate tech

Paul Santos, Managing Partner, Wavemaker Partners

“Research indicates that single-use glass packaging produces the highest greenhouse gas emissions compared to other beverage packaging materials. ecoSPIRITS’ reusable closed loop distribution system decreases emissions associated with spirits by approximately 60-90% while maintaining products quality and reducing cost for suppliers. Since our initial investment in ecoSPIRITS two years ago, we’ve been impressed with their growth as they’ve expanded their presence to 25 countries and forged partnerships with major spirits players like Pernod Ricard and Diageo.”

To strengthen its governance, ecoSPIRITS will expand its board of directors with the appointment of Cohen from Closed Loop Partners. In his role at Closed Loop Partners, Cohen co-leads the growth equity investment practice focused on advancing circular solutions in various sectors. Cohen’s appointment to the ecoSPIRITS board follows the appointment of Eric Tan as independent director in November 2022.

Anand Subramanian, Chief Operating Officer, ecoSPIRITS

“We would like to thank Wavemaker Partners for being such a longstanding supporter of ecoSPIRITS. Wavemaker is not only an investor in sustainability start-ups but also a leader driving the sustainability movement, so we are grateful to have its ongoing support. We are also pleased to have Bennett Cohen join our Board of Directors. Bennett’s experience in building and scaling circular tech companies across the US and Europe will be invaluable as we enter this new chapter as a company.”

More details regarding ecoSPIRITS’ expanded research and development program and the evolution of its Intelligent Circular roadmap will be released in the coming months. For more information about the Series A fundraise, please contact ecoSPIRITS’ Senior PR Manager, Sonya Hook, via email at Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About Closed Loop Partners

Closed Loop Partners is at the forefront of building the circular economy. The company is comprised of three key business segments: an investment firm, innovation center and operating group. The investment firm invests in venture, growth equity, buyout and catalytic private credit strategies on behalf of global institutions, corporations and family offices. The innovation center, the Center for the Circular Economy, unites competitors and partners to tackle complex material challenges and implement systemic change to advance circularity. The operating group, Circular Services, has twelve recycling facilities in operation today, and provides holistic, circular materials management to close the loop on valuable materials for municipalities and businesses throughout the United States. Employing innovative technology within reuse, recycling, re-manufacturing and re-commerce solutions, Circular Services improves regional economic and environmental outcomes by building resilient systems to keep food & organics, textiles, electronics, packaging and more in circulation and out of landfills or the natural environment. Closed Loop Partners is based in New York City and is a registered B Corp.

For more information please visit www.closedlooppartners.com.


About Proterra Asia

Proterra Asia is a private equity fund manager focused on investing in the Asia food sector. Over the past decade Proterra Asia has invested more than USD 1 billion in more than 30 companies that are contributing to the continued development of the food and agri industries across Asia. This investment was made via the Proterra Asia Food Strategy, which seeks to capitalise on the accelerating consumer demand that comes with growing urban populations and the emergence of a new generation of consumers looking for safe, high quality food products with a focus on health, nutrition, convenience, social impact and sustainability.

For more information please visit: www.proterraasia.com.


About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirit with consolidated sales amounting to €10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard’s portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. The Group’s mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing “Good Times from a Good Place”, in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricard’s decentralized organization empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its “Conviviality Platform”, a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

For more information, please reach out to Emmanuel Vouin, Head of External Engagement: +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34.


About Convivialité Ventures

Convivialité Ventures is the venture arm of Pernod Ricard. Convivialité Ventures invests in innovative and inspiring companies beyond Pernod Ricard’s traditional wine and spirits offerings in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways. Our mission is to cultivate radically different products and services that will enhance and change the way people come together, socialize and entertain in the future. Convivialité Ventures operates globally with investments and teams in the US, Europe, Latam, China and India. The portfolio of more than 45 companies includes companies like Fever, Fetch, Avantstay, Summer Farm, Dunzo, Liquid Death, and Outdoorsy.

For more information, please visit www.convivialite-ventures.com or email anne.charpignon@pernod-ricard.com.


About Wavemaker Partners

Wavemaker Partners is Southeast Asia’s leading VC firm investing in early-stage enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability start-ups. Since 2012, it has backed 190+ companies with over US 300 million in AUM across four funds and 25 exits valued at over US 1.8 billion. These exits include TradeGecko’s acquisition by Intuit, and Moka’s and Coins.ph’s acquisitions by Gojek. Today, 85% of Wavemaker’s active portfolio start-ups in Southeast Asia are aligned with at least one UNDP Sustainable Development Goal.

For more information about Wavemaker Partners, visit https://wavemaker.vc/ or email orbit@wavemaker.vc.


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants and hotels have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating thousands of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global.



ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Mauritius with Local Producer and Importer Grays

PAMPLEMOUSSES 21 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS has announced plans to launch closed loop service in Mauritius under a Licensed Operator Agreement with Grays Inc, a local spirits and wine producer and importer. Like other ecoSPIRITS island markets around the world, ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will release a fleet of Ocean Conservation edition ecoTOTEs and will join the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program to fund the removal of waste from marine environments. From this month, Grays’ flagship Mauritian rum Lazy Dodo Rum will be one of the first spirits available in ecoTOTE format in Mauritius, alongside Seven Seas cane spirit. These will be joined soon after by other spirits participating in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program.

Lazy Dodo Rum, which uses sugarcane from one of the oldest plantations in Mauritius, will be one of the first brands in ecoTOTE on the island.

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of more than 1.3 million people. As one of the most developed economies in the African region, Mauritius boasts many contemporary bars, restaurants, and nightclubs as well as a plethora of stylish hotels and hotel bars. Sugar has been the island’s staple product and economic backbone for many centuries, with rum production only allowed to resume in the early 2000s. Using sugarcane juice to make alcohol was banned in Mauritius until 2000, although producers were allowed to use molasses to make rum. The country has now gained a good reputation for both its traditional rum, made from molasses, and Agricole-style rum, where the sugarcane juice is extracted for fermentation and distillation.

Many of the stylish hotel bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Mauritius overlook the island’s beautiful beaches and the Indian Ocean.

Grays is a leading producer, importer, and distributor of wines and spirits in Mauritius. The company set up the island’s first distillery in 1931 and is considered one of the pioneers of the distillation industry in Mauritius. It produces rum from the fermentation of molasses and pure sugarcane juice, and it also manages ageing cellars for its spirits. It distributes rums and other spirits through its local network, and it exports its own products to Europe, USA, Asia, and South Africa. Grays also imports wines from all over the world, including well-known brands such as Möet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Glenfiddich and Jack Daniels, among others.

Grays produces rum from pure sugarcane juice, as well as from the fermentation of molasses.

Closed loop distribution in ecoTOTE format will initially start with Grays’ rum brand: Lazy Dodo Rum, named as a tribute to the now extinct bird, which was indigenous to Mauritius. The other brand which will go into ecoTOTE as part of this first phase is the Mauritian brand Seven Seas cane spirit. For the second phase, later in 2023, these brands will be joined by additional spirits from Grays portfolio, including New Grove Rum in two SKUS: Bourbon Cask Aged Rum and Plantation Rum, George Cambridge Blended Scotch Whisky, Kiprinski Vodka, Rover Gin, and Dukes Refined Cane Liquor.

Lazy Dodo Single Estate Rum

Lazy Dodo is matured in French and American oak barrels and is aged for a period of three to 10 years. The rum is created from one of the oldest sugarcane plantations in Mauritius. It is naturally fermented, delicately distilled, aged, and then finely blended to produce a rum offering the natural flavours of the sugar cane.

Seven Seas cane spirit

Seven Seas was launched in 1976 and is proudly made in Mauritius. It is produced with the finest sugar cane in Mauritius and goes through a triple distillation process by master distillers to obtain a crystal pure cane spirit. It is also described as “the only vertically integrated cane spirit in Mauritius.

Eliska Botha, Marketing Manager, Grays

Grays is already a very eco-conscious business, but this partnership with ecoSPIRITS fits well with our sustainability efforts to date and helps us progress to the next stage of our vision. We are thrilled that our flagship brand Lazy Dodo will be one of the first to pioneer this system in Mauritius, and we hope this will help propel our brands as sustainable spirits pioneers onto the global stage. It’s very exciting to have this innovative technology in Mauritius because as an island nation, man-made waste is always at the forefront of our minds and we all want to play our part in looking after the environment.

Iain McPherson, Sales Director, Europe

I’m pleased to announce Grays as ecoSPIRITS’ Licensed Operator for Mauritius. Grays had the vision to create the first distillery on the island, where it has been producing high quality spirits for almost a century. Grays is now continuing to revolutionise Mauritius’ wine and spirits industry by introducing ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop technology. It’s been a pleasure to work with Grays’ highly skilled team in all areas of its business, across Production, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales. ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will significantly reduce the number of single use bottles imported to the island, remove 90% of the waste, and, via the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program, it will remove man-made waste from its beaches.

As part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mauritius is working on protecting its marine ecosystems in the face of climate change. Like Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and the Seychelles, ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will join the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program to fund the removal of waste from marine environments. As part of this, Lazy Dodo Rum will be deployed in the Blue Ocean Conservation ecoTOTE, which is used for Island nations. Grays will also host and operate ecoPLANT No. 033, acting as an expert operational partner for closed loop spirits processing for the region.


For more information about ecoSPIRITS Mauritius please contact Iain McPherson, Sales Director for Europe, on Iain.McPherson@ecospirits.global. Brands, bars, restaurants, and hotels interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Mauritius may contact Mauritius@ecospirits.global. For media enquiries about ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Senior PR Manager, Sonya Hook on Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About Grays

Since 1931, Grays has forged itself the reputation of being a reliable producer and marketer of the best wines, spirits, and liqueurs in Mauritius. Our wines are imported from the best cellars in the world including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties, offering a great selection of wines from around the world; France, Chile, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand and more. Additionally, we are proud to market rums through our local distribution network, giving our customers the taste of the local know-how, and export our products to Asia, Europe and USA.

For more information on Grays, please visit www.grays.mu


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers have adopted the technology. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries by early 2023. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global


About the ecoSPIRITS Ocean Program

The ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program complements the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program for island nations that are most at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. Highlighted by the striking blue Ocean Conservation Edition ecoTOTE, each order of an ecoTOTE by venue partners in participating island nations funds the removal of one kilogram of single use plastic, glass and other man-made wastes from endangered, coral reefs and waters. Using Green Steps Group’s proprietary “proof of impact” technology platform, cleanup operations are verified, monitored and reported through an industry-leading digital record. Ocean waste recovery benefits the venue partners but is jointly funded by ecoSPIRITS and our Climate Partner brands and distributors.

For more information on Green Steps Group, please visit www.greenstepsgroup.com



ecoSPIRITS Releases Second Generation Portfolio of SmartPour Technologies

SINGAPORE 16 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS has launched a secondgeneration portfolio of its SmartPour technology, offering enhanced capabilities, intelligent features and new design elements. The revamped SmartPour lineup now comprises the SmartPour 1.1S and the SmartPour 2.0S, for the company’s spirits brand partners; and, for the first time, a SmartPour dedicated to wine preservation and dispensing, the SmartPour 2.0W. With this latest release, SmartPours are now available to pair with both the 4.5L and 1.75L versions of the ecoTOTE. Each of the second generation SmartPours is powered by CircularONE, ecoSPIRITS cloud-based software platform that is central to its ambitious Intelligent Circular roadmap.

The second generation SmartPour portfolio: the 1.1S, 2.0S and 2.0W models.

The SmartPour is ecoSPIRITS proprietary electronic dispense unit, designed for the safe and hygienic transfer of spirits or wine from ecoTOTE to reusable glass bottles or directly to serving glassware. The first generation SmartPour was first released in November 2020 to give hospitality outlets the option to dispense a variety of accurate spirits measures, which can be pre-programmed to suit the needs of the venue and the local market. The latest generation of patent-pending SmartPour hardware has been enhanced by the CircularONE software platform, with a range of security, data and IoT features, allowing ecoSPIRITS to collect and send performance and supply chain data to and from each partner company. This includes accurate depletion data, as well as cloud-based location tracking for the global ecoTOTE fleet, whereby each individual ecoTOTE is tracked through its entire lifecycle of closed loop operations, including in the venue, when it is linked to a SmartPour for dispense. This all forms part of the ecoSPIRITS Intelligent Circular vision, which is powered by CircularONE, and will eventually offer the comprehensive integration of hardware and software to make circular much more robust, scalable and cost-effective.

The ecoSPIRITS closed loop system for spirits and wine distribution.

The SmartPour 1.1S is designed for ease of operations in the back-of-house area and as such, it offers all the basic SmartPour functions. This slimline unit is well suited to venues that require high volume bottle refilling, and its range of one push pour options allow for the fast, hygienic and accurate transfer of spirits from ecoTOTE to bottle. Its ergonomic design means that it is not only quick and straightforward to assemble, but it fits neatly on top of the ecoTOTE, without taking up unnecessary space. This user-friendly accessory, which perfectly complements the ecoTOTE, is also easy to store away. Each SmartPour 1.1S comes complete with accessories, including silicone inlet and extension hoses, which are used to extract the spirit brand from the ecoTOTE; a USB-C charging cable to charge the digital unit; and a pouring spout, to dispense spirits into bottles or glassware.

The SmartPour 1.1S is designed for ease of operations in the back-of-house area.

The SmartPour 2.0S is the second spirits dispense solution in the ecoSPIRITS SmartPour portfolio. Unlike the 1.1S, which is a simplified but easy-to-use dispense attachment, the 2.0S is designed with a visually striking outer casing, which fully encloses the ecoTOTE, giving venues the opportunity to make a feature of the circular hardware on the bar, where it can be made visible to consumers. These WiFi-enabled SmartPours offer the full range of ecoSPIRITS’ Intelligent Circular features, and they are also equipped with the company’s patent-pending Verified Sustainable Refill (VSR) feature, which uses NFC-based refill bottle authentication to ensure the spirit inside the ecoTOTE matches the brand on the bottle.

The SmartPour 2.0S offers the full range of ecoSPIRITS’ Intelligent Circular features.

Completing the trio of SmartPours is the innovative SmartPour 2.0W, which has been designed specifically for preserving and dispensing wine. This intelligent wine system pairs with the specialised ecoTOTE 3.0W for wine to make the sustainable reuse of branded wine bottles possible. An enhanced version of the SmartPour 2.0S, the 2.0W also offers inert N2 gas blanketing and wine temperature management, to allow for the hygienic and fresh transfer of wine from ecoTOTE to wine bottles, glassware, carafes and decanters. Like its SmartPour siblings, the 2.0W offers a fast, accurate pour every time, and has NFC-based bottle authentication with VSR. Both the SmartPour 2.0S and 2.0W have brand plate lighting, giving users the option to light up the digital display and the brand plate; an added feature for venues wanting to make their circular innovation visible to consumers.

The SmartPour 2.0W pairs with an N2 gas canister for wine preservation and management.

The new generation of SmartPours are available as standard Forest Green or Oceans Blue options or they can be developed with partner spirits and wine brands as a fully co-branded design. These can be showcased by venues, giving both the technology and branding high visibility to consumers. Co-branded SmartPours have already been deployed by several of ecoSPIRITSglobal customers, including Diageo, which now has co-branded Smirnoff Vodka SmartPour 2.0Sin venues in Indonesia; and Pernod Ricard, which has co-branded Beefeater Gin, Havana Club and Absolut Vodka SmartPour 2.0S’ available for the Singapore market. Both companies are looking at expanding their footprints to cover additional regions. Meanwhile, in the UK, Remy Cointreau now has co-branded hardware for its Cointreau and Mount Gay rum brands. ecoSPIRITS adapted the SmartPour 2.0S Cointreau Edition to ensure the perfect dispense of Cointreau, because liqueurs behave differently to higher proof spirits. In addition, the True Believers brand, Los Arcos Destilado de Agave, saw its UK debut this month, sporting co-branded SmartPour 2.0S units. ecoSPIRITS is also preparing to launch co-branded versions of the SmartPour 2.0W in Australia with industry leader Accolade Wines, featuring one or more of their eco wine brands.

Derek Tang, Chief Technology Officer, ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS developed its software platform, CircularONE, to give the company the ability to collect and send performance and supply chain data at real time to and from each partner, leading to improved closed loop efficiency. To link this with the ecoSPIRITS hardware required upgrades to the full portfolio, and this second generation of SmartPours represents the latest piece of this puzzle. For me, this is an exciting development because it brings to life ecoSPIRITS’ vision of a global Intelligent Circular network of IoT hardware, powered by software and data. As we develop CircularONE we will be adding new features and capabilities to these SmartPours, throughout 2023 and beyond.

Shanshan Zhang, Head of Product Design, ecoSPIRITS

We released our first SmartPours in November 2020 and via this innovative piece of equipment we have been able to transform the dispense experience for hundreds of venues all around the world. Now, just over two years later, we have evolved the functionality and look of the SmartPour, and linked it with our software platform. Our second-generation portfolio offers a range of options, depending on whether venues require high volume bottle refilling, Intelligent Circular features, or options to suit wine or spirits. We can also now give partner brands and venues the ability to make a feature of this technology as a co-branded unit at the bar, presenting this as a sustainable talking point for consumers to engage with.

ecoSPIRITS has submitted patent applications for its latest SmartPour technologies and its Verified Sustainable Refill feature. These join existing patent applications in its system of closed loop technologies, including the ecoSPIRITS’ thirdgeneration ecoTOTE 3.0, and the SmartKiosk, which was launched in September last year. The latest generation of SmartPour hardware uses dual-frequency IoT module so it is capable of connecting to two different wireless frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. They also have programmable dispense volume buttons, enabling venues to set their own range of push pour options for the easy transfer of accurate measures of spirits or wine from the ecoTOTE. Additional smart features will be developed for the SmartPour portfolio over time. For media enquiries or general information about ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager, at Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by mid 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global



ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Denmark with Spirits Distributor Local Spirits

COPENHAGEN 1 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS is to launch in Denmark, appointing one of the country’s leading independent spirits distributors, Local Spirits, as its Licensed Operator for the country. ecoSPIRITS Denmark will bring closed loop spirits to the Danish market, with venues in Copenhagen among the first in the country to receive closed loop spirits service. A range of Local Spirits’ spirit brands will be available in low waste ecoTOTE format by this summer, to be joined later in the year by other spirits producers participating in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. This partnership paves the way for the expansion of closed loop service across Scandinavia, alongside its recently launched neighbour, ecoSPIRITS Norway, and it builds on Denmark’s position as the greenest country in the world in 2022, according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

Venues in Copenhagen will be among the first in Denmark to receive spirits brands in ecoTOTE format.

Local Spirits is a Danish drinks company, which distributes predominantly local and organic spirits to the on and off-trade sectors. The company was founded in 2016 by the entrepreneurs behind some of the country’s most popular craft spirits, including Skotlander Rum, Herbie Gin and Den Klodsede Bjorn Vodka. Local Spirits now sells and distributes more than 300 products from 25 different Danish producers, as well as a few international craft brands. Local Spirits is focused on sustainable products and practices, and partnering with ecoSPIRITS represents the latest stage of its sustainability journey. The company makes an effort to work with producers who are respectful of the environment, particularly those which use local or organic ingredients. Currently around 40% of its portfolio is certified as organic.

Great Dane Rum and Bay Boy Coffee Liqueur will be two of the first brands in ecoTOTE format in Denmark.

Denmark, which has a population of around 5.8 million people, is made up of the Jutland Peninsular and more than 400 islands in the North Sea. The largest of the islands is Zealand, where the country’s capital Copenhagen is located, while the second largest city, Aarhus, is Jutland’s major urban centre. Copenhagen is also Denmark’s foodie capital and is a city known for its Michelin stars. ecoSPIRITS Denmark will initially launch in Copenhagen, where most of Local Spirits’ activity currently takes place. The first brands to go into ecoTOTE will be Bad Company Spirits’ Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur, Bad Dog Orange Liqueur, Lemon Says Hello Limoncello; Local Spirits Distilled Vodka and Local Spirits Distilled Gin; Great Dane Rum, and Ellenor Elderflower Liqueur. 

Bad Company Spirits

Bad Company Spirits is a Danish producer of niche spirits, including the organic Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur, Bad Dog Orange Liqueur and Lemon Says Hello Limoncello. Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur is made from cold brew coffee to extract a more concentrated and less bitter taste. Bad Dog Orange Liqueur is the first orange liqueur made in Denmark.

Local Spirits Distilled

This collection includes an organic gin and an organic vodka. The former is a handmade organic Danish gin, made using organic botanicals including lemon peel, coriander seeds, liquorice root, and juniper berries. The handmade organic vodka is a wheat-based alcohol made using double-filtered water to create a smooth and silky spirit.

Great Dane Rum

This rum is an exclusive blend of rums from selected distilleries in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Jamaica and Panama. First, the rum is distilled and stored in ex-bourbon casks in a tropical climate. After arriving in Denmark, with its much cooler climate, the rum is given a cask finish in vessels previously used by the award-winning Danish Skotlander Rum.

Ellenor

Ellenor is an organic elderflower liqueur, which offers an intense flavour of aromatic elderflowers and fresh lemons. Ellenor was created in partnership with mixologist Hasse Johansen from the cocktail bar St Paul’s Aphotek in Aarhus, Denmark. This award-winning spirit can be enjoyed neat over ice or as a base for cocktails.

The Danish government aims to make Denmark a green front-runner in global climate action to inspire and encourage the rest of the world. Its government has introduced a binding Climate Act with a national target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% below 1990 levels by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050. This and other efforts helped Denmark rank first in the Environmental Performance Index 2022. Companies from all around the world are looking to Denmark for inspiration, with respect to its environmental achievements. Denmark has the world’s leading Deposit and Return System, which ensures the recycling of disposable beverage packaging made of plastic, aluminium and glass. Currently, more than 2.2 billion bottles and cans are handled by the system annually, and with a population of 5.8 million, this equates to every Dane depositing a bottle or can daily. The system does not include bottles and packaging for spirits and the ecoSPIRITS technology is therefore a perfect fit with the Danish market.

Denmark is considered the greenest country in the world and wants to be a green frontrunner in global climate action.

Under this latest ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator partnership, ecoPLANT No. 037 will be commissioned in Copenhagen, starting this month, and ecoSPIRITS closed loop service is set to commence in May, starting with bars, restaurants, and hotels in Copenhagen. Denmark will also participate in the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, planting one tree for every ecoTOTE delivered to hospitality venues.

Martin Damgaard, Co-founder and CEO of Local Spirits

For several years now, we have been pioneering the use of spirits in bulk format to bars and restaurants. For us this has been a way to reduce the waste from single use glass, but it has also given us an opportunity to reduce the price of locally produced and organic products by removing the bottle and bottling costs. Partnering with ecoSPIRITS is a natural progression for the work we have done so far in exploring sustainable packaging and distribution solutions, and it will enable us to extend our reach and capacity. Our partner venues are very excited to take this next step in an even more sustainable direction with us.

Iain McPherson, Sales Director, Europe

At ecoSPIRITS we place a great deal of importance in building strong relationships and finding a partner that knows the market well, and we believe Local Spirits is the perfect fit The company has a track record of working with and supplying some of the best venues and events in Denmark, and it’s clear that Anne, Martin and Jeppe have a great enthusiasm to bring the #nosingeuseglass revolution to the wines and spirits industry in Denmark. We can’t wait to get started!

Bars, hotels, restaurants, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Denmark can contact Iain McPherson, Sales Director for Europe at ecoSPIRITS on Iain.McPherson@ecospirits.global or denmark@ecospirits.global. For more information about ecoSPIRITS you may contact Sonya Hook, ecoSPIRITS Senior PR Manager, on Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About Local Spirits

Local Spirits was founded in 2016 under the name Nordic Spirits. The company was founded by a number of the first small independent spirits producers in Denmark such as Skotlander Rum, Herbie Gin and Den Klodsede Bjørn Vodka with the aim of creating a distribution platform for the Danish micro-producers. Local Spirits currently sells over 300 products from 25 different Danish producers. In addition to specialist shops, our customers include restaurants, bars, festivals and hotels, including many of Denmark’s most high-profile brands such as the Roskilde Festival, the Guldsmeden hotels and Villa Copenhagen. Ever since our foundation, we have had an ambition to help promote ecology to our growing number of eco-focused customers. Through our close collaboration with Roskilde Festival and the 100% organic hotel chain Guldsmeden Hotels, we have sought to make local organic products part of the core of our business.

For information, please visit www.localspirits.dk


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants and hotels have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating thousands of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global



ecoSPIRITS Launches in Italy in Partnership with Leading Spirits Distributor Velier SpA

GENOA 17 February 2023 ecoSPIRITS has expanded into the Italian market, appointing one of the country’s leading independent spirits distributors and producers, Velier SpA, as its Licensed Operator. Together, the partners have set up a new joint venture, eS Operator Italy SpA, to bring closed loop spirits to the Italian market starting this month. A range of spirits will be available in low waste ecoTOTE™ format immediately, including Portofino Dry Gin, Hampden Estate Jamaican Rum, Clairin Communal Rum from Haiti, Yaguara Cachaça and Los Arcos Destilado de Agave. With this latest market launch, ecoSPIRITS’ European network now covers the region’s four largest economies: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy.

Portofino Dry Gin, which is made using local botanicals from the picturesque town of Portofino, will be one of the first brands available in ecoTOTE format.

As the fourth largest economy in Europe and the fourth largest hospitality sector in the world, Italy is a natural extension of ecoSPIRITS’ global closed loop network. The country attracts 94 million foreign tourists each year and it has a reputation for some of the world’s finest food and drink, along with a vibrant hospitality scene. Having made aggressive commitments for tackling climate change, including a plan to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2030, Italy is also the first country in the world to make sustainability and the climate crisis compulsory subjects at school.

Italy has a vibrant hospitality scene and attracts millions of tourists each year.

Led by industry icon Luca Gargano since 1983, and with a history stretching back more than 70 years, Velier SpA is one of the world’s most respected independent spirits and wine distributors, serving nearly 12,000 hospitality and retail customers across Italy. In addition to a wide-ranging portfolio of more than 200 leading artisanal wines and spirits, Velier is the exclusive Italian importer for William Grant & Sons, Edrington and SPI Group. It is also the sole importer for a selection of brands from Brown Forman and the Sazerac Company. Velier has a history of pioneering innovation in Italy. In 1991, it brought Latin American white spirits – cachaça, pisco, and mezcal – to the Italian market for the first time. Under Gargano’s leadership, the group became renowned worldwide for its own bottlings of fine rum, including the legendary Caroni releases.

Velier SpA has a wide-ranging portfolio, which includes its own bottlings of the legendary Caroni rum.

Luca Gargano, CEO, Velier SpA

I am very proud to bring ecoSPIRITS’ circular spirits packaging technology to Italy. The Italians have a long and deep history with spirits production and enjoyment. Italian consumers are very sophisticated, and always on the lookout for new and amazing products. Furthermore, there is a nationwide commitment to working towards a sustainable future: there is a genuine thirst for sustainable solutions across the industry. ecoSPIRITS’ innovative closed loop technology tackles numerous waste and supply chain problems, while providing an elegant serve to enjoy.”

Iain McPherson, Sales Director, Europe, ecoSPIRITS

We have long admired Velier’s reputation for innovation and quality and after we were introduced to Luca by our partners in ecoSPIRITS France, La Maison du Whisky, the rest was history, as they say. We have worked closely with Luca and his team for the past year and could not be more excited to now launch a platform for closed loop spirits together. We have a shared vision of a sustainable future in the Italian spirits market, and have the joint expertise and resources to help bring about that vision.

In the first phase of the launch, ecoSPIRITS Italy will offer a range of spirits in ecoTOTE format, from the Velier and the La Maison & Velier portfolios. These include:

Hampden Pure Single Jamaican Rum

Founded in 1753, Hampden Estate has been distilling rum for almost three centuries in the Trelawny Parish, the ‘grand cru’ of Jamaican rum. Hampden Estate rum has a distinct and iconic aromatic profile, aged for eight years in the tropical Jamaican climate.

Portofino Dry Gin

Produced in an antique Italian Distillery, Portofino Dry Gin features 21 botanicals, which are carefully selected for their natural aromatic properties. Juniper, lemons, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, sage, iris, and rose are organically grown on the Portofino hills and combined with locally handpicked ingredients.

Clairin Communal Rum

Clairin is a traditional Haitian rum-style spirit made using native varieties of sugarcane. The spirit is artisanal in nature, with farming free from pesticides, while fermentation is spontaneous, and distillation is traditional and unfiltered.

Los Arcos Destilado de Agave

Los Arcos celebrates the traditional production processes of tequila by using ancestral tools and methods to showcase Blue Weber Agave in its best form. Los Arcos uses only mature agave to deliver a structured, full-flavoured agave profile. It is designed to be ideal for cocktails and for sipping.

Yaguara Cachaça

This small batch Brazilian artisanal cachaca is based on the Menaghel family’s traditional recipe, which has been followed for five generations. Using handcut organic sugarcane, the spirit is fermented with local yeast and rested for 10 months. A perfect base for the Brazilian classic cocktail, the Caipirinha.

In the first phase of the launch, ecoSPIRITS Italy will offer a range of spirits in ecoTOTE format, from the Velier and the La Maison & Velier portfolios. These include:

Hampden Pure Single Jamaican Rum

Founded in 1753, Hampden Estate has been distilling rum for almost three centuries in the Trelawny Parish, the ‘grand cru’ of Jamaican rum. Hampden Estate rum has a distinct and iconic aromatic profile, aged for eight years in the tropical Jamaican climate.

Portofino Dry Gin

Produced in an antique Italian Distillery, Portofino Dry Gin features 21 botanicals, which are carefully selected for their natural aromatic properties. Juniper, lemons, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, sage, iris, and rose are organically grown on the Portofino hills and combined with locally handpicked ingredients.

Clairin Communal Rum

Clairin is a traditional Haitian rum-style spirit made using native varieties of sugarcane. The spirit is artisanal in nature, with farming free from pesticides, while fermentation is spontaneous, and distillation is traditional and unfiltered.

Los Arcos Destilado de Agave

Los Arcos celebrates the traditional production processes of tequila by using ancestral tools and methods to showcase Blue Weber Agave in its best form. Los Arcos uses only mature agave to deliver a structured, full-flavoured agave profile. It is designed to be ideal for cocktails and for sipping.

Yaguara Cachaça

This small batch Brazilian artisanal cachaca is based on the Menaghel family’s traditional recipe, which has been followed for five generations. Using handcut organic sugarcane, the spirit is fermented with local yeast and rested for 10 months. A perfect base for the Brazilian classic cocktail, the Caipirinha.

Portofino Dry Gin (left to right) Chris Egger, CMO and co-founder; Ruggero Raymo, CEO and co-founder; Jack Savoretti, partner; Alessandro Briola, COO and co-founder

We are thrilled to be part of this initiative with Velier and our dear friend Luca Gargano, who introduced us to the ecoSPIRITS vision. When we first talked about this project, we were fascinated by the innovative nature of ecoSPIRITS’ sustainable technology. It corresponds precisely with our ambition to reduce our ecological footprint while meeting our quality standards. The ecoTOTE system developed by ecoSPIRITS is a milestone in the spirits industry and we look forward to seeing it spread across Italy.

Closed loop service will first be made available in northern Italy and key cities across the country, supported by ecoPLANT No. 021 in Genoa. Over the course of 2023, ecoTOTE distribution will be expanded to additional regions in Italy. The host company for ecoPLANT No. 021 is AZ Servizi & Logistica, a third-party logistics and warehouse business for packaged and bulk goods, which is located in northern Italy. As the ecoPLANT host company, AZ Servici & Logistica provides licensed premises for the ecoPLANT site, as well as experienced production staffing and quality control systems.


For more information about ecoSPIRITS Italy, please contact ecoSPIRITS’ Sales Director for Europe, Iain McPherson on Iain.McPherson@ecospirits.global. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors, and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS’ Climate Partner program in Italy may contact Fabrizio Galliano via email at italy@ecospirits.global. For more information about ecoSPIRITS, please contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager, ecoSPIRITS, on Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About Velier

Velier is a historic family business from Genoa, Italy, that is active in the import and distribution of spirits, liqueurs and wines. Founded in 1947, it has developed a reputation for the quality, passion, and conviviality behind each of its products and its people. A world leader in the rum sector thanks to the tireless discovery work of President Luca Gargano, Velier has also been a forerunner in launching the natural wine movement. As early as 2003, the ‘Triple A’ protocol saw the light of day: producers who are ‘Farmers, Artisans, Artists’, in absolute harmony with Velier’s values: quality and authenticity. Among the more than 200 imported brands are Caroni, Bally, Clairin, Neisson, Hampden rums; Macallan, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Nikka, Buffalo Trace whiskies; Hendrick’s Gin, Stolichnaya Vodka, Rooster Rojo, Fortaleza and Alipus agaves, Billecart champagne, Chartreuse liqueur, and Fever Tree soft drinks.

For information, please visit https://www.velier.it/it/


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific,Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants and hotels have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating thousands of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global



ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Dominican Republic With Local Craft Producer Candela

SANTO DOMINGO 23 December 2022 ecoSPIRITS has announced plans to launch closed loop service in Dominican Republic under a Licensed Operator Agreement with KOI DOMINICANA SRL, the producer of Candela Mamajuana, a premium spiced rum based on a recipe which is native to the region. Like other ecoSPIRITS island markets around the world, ecoSPIRITS Dominican Republic will operate an ecoPLANT 1.0S Lite, deploy a fleet of Ocean Conservation edition ecoTOTEs™ and will join the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program to fund removal of waste from marine environments. Starting in early 2023, Candela will be the first spirit available in ecoTOTE format in the Dominican Republic, to be joined soon by other spirits producers participating in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. Resorts in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo will be among the first venues to receive closed loop spirits service.

Candela Mamajuana will be the first spirit available in ecoTOTE format.

The SmartPour 2.0S Ocean Conservation Edition.

Mamajuana, a traditional native drink of the Dominican Republic, is a blend of Dominican rum, natural spices, and honey. Candela, meaning “on fire” in Spanish slang, was created in 2016 by Alejandro Russo and his mother Lillian Arinoviche, who wanted to create the finest expression of this local drink to share with the rest of the world. Candela is the leading brand of mamajuana and it is designed to be enjoyed neat or mixed in speciality cocktails. It is known for its smooth sweet taste, rich rosewood and honey aromas and long finish with warming spices. The spiced rum is handcrafted in the Dominican Republic with all-natural ingredients. It is distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, and then aged in American oak barrels. Candela is proud of its quality production methods and its focus on sourcing local ingredients. The company has a big focus on sustainable practices and its production processes are powered by renewable energy.

Mamajuana is aged in American oak barrels.

The premium Candela can be enjoyed neat or in speciality cocktails.

Spirits consumption in the Dominican Republic is dominated by rum, and mamajuana is one of the most popular drinks, featured on menus in most bars and clubs across the island nation. Some of the nation’s most well known cocktails are rum based such as Piña Colada, the Coco Loco and the Passionfruit Mojito, and are often sought out by tourists on their arrival at the beach. For rum production in the Dominican Republic, producers must harvest the sugar cane, ferment, distill, and age the spirit in oak barrels for a minimum of one year, and it all has to happen within the country’s borders.

The popular tourist area of Punta Cana.

The nation’s capital, Santo Domingo.

Closed loop distribution in ecoTOTE format will initially start with the popular tourist area of Punta Cana. This glamorous seaside resort town, in the easternmost region of the country, boasts a plethora of hotels and hotel bars including several luxury venues. Closed loop service will next be made available to the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo, which is well known for its energetic nightlife, Latin music, and rum-based drinks. Santo Domingo is the largest city of the Dominican Republic and the biggest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population. It is the nation’s cultural, financial, political, commercial, and industrial centre and it also serves as the chief seaport of the country, with the port handling heavy passenger and freight traffic. Other destinations on the list include La Romana, Puerto Plata, Cabarete, and the Samaná Peninsula.

Candela is a mamajuana, a traditional Dominican Republic drink.

The country's government is working hard to keep its oceans waste-free.

The Dominican Republic, one of the world’s top tourist destinations, is the tenth largest economy in Latin America and the largest in the Caribbean region open for commercial trade. In 2019, the Dominican Republic set out plans to invest in new sustainability initiatives specifically focused on its tourism industry, with the aim of boosting the nation’s ‘ecotourism’ image. As part of this, the government pledged to reduce marine and land-based pollution, cut the consumption of materials, and diminish waste arising from tourism with targets such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. Following in the footsteps of the Bermuda, the Seychelles and the Cayman Islands, ecoSPIRITS Dominican Republic will participate in the ecoSPIRITS Ocean Program, which works with island nations that are most at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. Each order of an ecoTOTE in the Dominican Republic will fund the removal of one kilogram of single use plastic, glass and other man-made wastes from endangered coral reefs and marine environments.

Alejandro Russo, Co-founder, Candela Mamajuana

“We are delighted to be partnering with ecoSPIRITS to bring circular spirits service to the Dominican Republic. We are proud to have Candela Mamajuana, an authentic Dominican product, lead the way into sustainable business practices. We hope Candela Mamajuana becomes an example of eco-conscious values and sets the standards for other brands to follow. We are excited to be operators of the country’s first ecoPLANT, and we look forward to seeing this closed loop technology in action.”

Jessica Berry, Sales Director, North America, ecoSPIRITS

“The Dominican Republic is a nation that loves to celebrate and enjoy life, as well as many delicious rum-based cocktails! It has a thriving tourism scene with several luxurious and world-renowned hotels. All of this makes it perfectly positioned to transition to the circular economy, and we are excited to work with Candela Mamajuana to launch our low waste and low carbon packaging technology in our fourth island market. Together, we can make a progress in ending single use glass in the Dominican Republic.”

For more information about ecoSPIRITS Dominican Republic, please contact ecoSPIRITS’ Sales Director for North America, Jessica Berry on Jessica.Berry@ecospirits.global. Brands, bars, restaurants, and hotels interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in the Dominican Republic may contact Alejandro Russo via email at DR@ecospirits.global. For media inquiries about ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Senior PR Manager, Sonya Hook on Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global


About Candela

Candela Mamajuana is the finest expression of the Dominican Republic’s legendary spiced rum. Known for its smooth taste of the finest rum, exotic spices, and honey, this spirit is made with all-natural ingredients and distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane in its native country. The approachable spirit can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed in a speciality cocktail. Co-founded in 2016 by the mother and son duo, Lillian Arinoviche and Alejandro Russo, Candela is distributed throughout Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, and the Dominican Republic.

For more details on Candela Mamajuana, please visit the website: www.drinkcandela.com


About the ecoSPIRITS Ocean Program

The ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program complements the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program for island nations that are most at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. Highlighted by the striking blue Ocean Conservation Edition ecoTOTE, each order of an ecoTOTE by venue partners in participating islands nations funds the removal of one kilogram of single use plastic, glass and other man-made wastes from endangered, coral reefs and waters. Using Green Steps Group’s proprietary “proof of impact” technology platform, cleanup operations are verified, monitored and reported through an industry-leading digital record. Ocean waste recovery benefits the venue partners, but is jointly funded by ecoSPIRITS and our Climate Partner brands and distributors.

For more information on Green Steps Group, please visit www.greenstepsgroup.com.


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers have adopted the technology. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For more information, please visit www.ecospirits.global.




ecoSPIRITS USA Activates First Two ecoPLANTs in Florida and California

MIAMI 15 December 2022 ecoSPIRITS USA, the United States operating partner of ecoSPIRITS, has announced the locations of its first ecoPLANTs in the United States, which will be managed in partnership with well-regarded distilled spirits plant (DSP) operators Mango Bottling in Florida and Chareau in Southern California. Both new partners join ecoSPIRITS’ growing network of ecoPLANT hosts around the world, playing a critical role in the launch and scaling of closed loop spirits and wine service. ecoSPIRITS USA now has plans to bring additional ecoPLANTs online in the United States in the second half of 2023. The news also paves the way for the launch of closed loop ecoTOTE service in both California and Florida next month.

Chareau creates plant-based spirits made using local California ingredients.

ecoPLANT No. 032 is based at Mango Bottling in the Cocoa Beach area, Florida.

ecoSPIRITS global closed loop network is anchored by its proprietary ecoPLANT technology, which are semi-automated, containerised spirits and wine processing plants. The containerised design provides a highly scalable modular solution for geographically distributed spirits and wine processing. To improve the safety and efficiency of ecoPLANT operations, ecoSPIRITS looks to partner with experienced local operators, often leading distilleries, or bonded warehouse companies, to host each ecoPLANT. Hosts provide licensed premises for the ecoPLANT site, as well as experienced production staffing and quality control systems.

The ecoPLANT is a semi-automated, containerised spirits and wine processing plant.

Mango Bottling, which is located north of Miami in the Cocoa Beach area, Florida, has commenced operations of ecoPLANT No. 032, which is an ecoPLANT 2.0W model capable of processing both spirits and wine and will provide service to both South Florida and the duty-free hub in Miami port. Perfectly located to service the fast-growing Southern Florida region, including Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, ecoPLANT No. 032, is also near the Miami headquarters of ecoSPIRITS USA, which is a joint venture between Park Street Technology Ventures and the Edmund Pillsbury family. Mango Bottling started as a producer of spirit-based brands and later, in 1995, it extended its services into contract bottling. It now works with both new and established brands and all sizes of spirit-based products.

ecoPLANT No. 032 will service the Southern Florida region, including Miami, Orlando and Tampa.

Drayton Sproull, President of Mango Bottling (centre) - pictured here with Dan Holmes, Sales Director (left) and Jared Shammah, COO (right)

My vision for Mango is utilizing our team’s strengths to modernize the manufacturing production facility while preserving the goal of creating efficiencies, decreasing waste, and ultimately reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Our executive team members, Jared Shammah, Mango’s COO, and Dan Holmes, our Sales Director, are also delighted to partner with ecoSPIRITS USA to support environmentally sound products for our customers and the alcoholic beverage market.

Chareau’s spirits facility is located north of Los Angeles in Ventura County, California. As part of the new partnership, ecoPLANT No. 031, which is also an ecoPLANT 2.0W model, is hosted in a dedicated production and warehouse facility to be operated by Chareau staff, who will be trained and supported by ecoSPIRITS’ global Closed Loop Operations team. The Chareau brand and business is the brainchild of Kurt Charron, who was inspired by the rich agriculture and natural beauty of California. Chareau spirits are designed to be made as naturally as possible from plant-based ingredients. Chareau is also a social purpose company, which means it cares about the wellness of its staff, customers, and the community at large. These attributes of caring for both the environment and those who interact with the business make Chareau an exceptional fit for ecoSPIRITS and its mission to end single use glass in the spirits and wine industry. ecoPLANT No. 031 will offer closed loop ecoTOTE service to Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

The California-based ecoPLANT No. 031 will service the Southern California region, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and select venues in San Francisco.

Kurt Charron, Founder & CEO, Chareau

We are excited to join ecoSPIRITS on their global mission to eliminate single use packaging waste and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the spirits industry. We formed our company as a Social Purpose Corporation to not only make the best quality spirits, but also to operate with intention, increase our sustainability efforts and make a difference in the world. We are proud to partner with a company operating with a similar ethos.

Zdenek Kastanek, Managing Director, ecoSPIRITS USA

“The U.S. market has now shown that it is ready to embrace the low carbon revolution on a much greater scale than we expected. We have an exceptional group of brands, distributors and hospitality operators committed to join our Climate Partner Program here in the U.S. Our launches in California and Florida, and our partnerships with Mango Bottling and Chareau, are the perfect first step in the world’s most exciting market for circular spirits and wine.

Bob Syihabuddin, Head of Closed Loop Operations, ecoSPIRITS

Our fast-growing ecoPLANT network plays an essential role in circular spirits – without distributed processing, local closed loop service would not be possible. Finding the right host for each ecoPLANT have proven to be a key to safely and efficiently scaling production operations. By working together, our ecoPLANT hosts, such as Mango Bottling and Chareau, and ecoSPIRITS’ Closed Loop Operations team, are building the world’s first truly standardized, truly global closed loop production network. This is an exciting challenge for everyone involved.

Closed loop service in both Florida and California will commence in January 2023. Additional details on early Climate Partner brands, distributors and outlets in the United States will be released soon. For more information about ecoSPIRITS USA, please contact Zdenek Kastanek on Zdenek@ecospirits.global or Jessica Berry on Jessica.Berry@ecospirits.global. For more information about ecoSPIRITS you may contact Senior PR Manager, Sonya Hook on Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About Mango Bottling

Mango Bottling is a privately owned corporation, based in East Central Florida, licensed as an Alcoholic Beverage Distiller and Producer. Mango was established in 1992 to manufacture pre-filled test tubes with flavored liqueurs carrying the Tooters brand name. The goal was simple, to add an element of fun through a unique ready to drink packaging. Then in 1995, Mango expanded its business model by offering contract bottling services to start-up and established Spirit brands. The focus was to establish ourselves as a niche co-packer that could facilitate standard and custom packaged products. In the past 30 years since its inception, Mango Bottling has continued to be creative and innovative within our product offerings and a reliable resource for contract bottling customers.

For more information visit www.mangobottling.com.


About Chareau

Chareau is a low ABV plant-based spirit made with real California Aloe. The founder, Kurt Charron, developed Chareau to be an honest spirit free of artificial colors and flavors, while bringing a much-needed sense of wellness and transparency to the industry. The company takes a mindful approach to creating light, refreshing, and delicious spirits using local California ingredients, and the brand is a gift from the hands and hearts of California’s farmers and artisans. Chareau is named after Kurt Charron’s great-grandparents, Arthur Charron and Florence Favreau, hard-working farmers who moved the family out west, where Kurt Charron has lived ever since.

For more information visit https://chareau.us/.


About ecoSPIRITS USA

ecoSPIRITS USA is introducing ecoSPIRITS’ award-winning circular distribution technology to the world’s largest premium spirits and wine market. Starting with closed-loop service in California and Florida and January 2023, ecoSPIRITS USA is building and operating a ‘first to market’ circular distribution system that will eventually service metropolitan markets across the United States. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Miami, FL, and its investors include, among others, Wavemaker Partners, Park Street Technology Ventures, and the Edmund Pillsbury Family.

For more information, please contact usa@ecospirits.global


About Park Street Technology Ventures

Park Street Technology Ventures (“Park Street Ventures”) is an affiliate of Park Street, a technology-enabled services company that helps emerging and established alcoholic beverage suppliers and brand owners cost-effectively and securely scale and manage their businesses. The company is trusted by thousands of brands from new-to-market entrepreneurs to well established multi-brand global portfolios. Park Street Ventures invests in early-stage start-ups and established growth companies in the alcoholic beverage industry. The firm’s investment mandate focuses on transformative technologies and green initiatives.

For more information, visit: www.parkstreet.com


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For more information visit www.ecospirits.global.

 



ecoSPIRITS Expands Investment in Intelligent Circular Vision With Independent Board Member and CTO Appointments

SINGAPORE 8 December 2022 ecoSPIRITS is marking a major expansion of its investment in its Intelligent Circular roadmap, which includes its CircularONE software platform, with two senior technology appointments. Eric Tan has joined the ecoSPIRITS Board of Directors as an independent board member and Derek Tang has been appointed to the newly-created role of Chief Technology Officer. Together, the new appointments add five decades of technology, software development and Internet-of-Things IoT (IoT) leadership experience to ecoSPIRITSboard and executive leadership team. Messrs. Tan and Tang will help direct ecoSPIRITS’ expanded financial investment in the development of its software, IoT and data solutions. ecoSPIRITS’ Intelligent Circular roadmap is anchored by its CircularONE software platform, which integrates a complex global supply chain of hardware packaging assets into an IoT network. Through this integration of hardware and software, ecoSPIRITS is able to use data and automation to deliver real-time commercial insights, traceability and supply chain security, and unique performance features such as the patent-pending Verified Sustainable Refill technology. Having completed the first phase of development of CircularONE, ecoSPIRITS is now embarking on an intensive second phase of software development, which will see new features and capabilities released over the course of 2023.

ecoSPIRITS’ cloud-based CircularONE software platform is being developed to power a global closed loop network.

Tan joins the ecoSPIRITS Board of Directors as an independent board member, with a mandate to mentor ecoSPIRITS CEO Paul Gabie and newly-appointed Tang in the development of its software vision. Tan currently sits on the Chief Information Officer (CIO) advisory boards of Gartner and the Wall Street Journal, and has spent many years working for PwC in various leadership roles. He brings to ecoSPIRITS a wealth of experience in technology, AI/ML, and cybersecurity. Tan currently holds the role of CIO and Senior Vice President for Technology at Coupa, the California-based, NASDAQ-listed global SaaS company for business spend management. In 2022, he was a Bay Area’s ‘CIO of the Year’ at the ORBIE Awards for his outstanding leadership and innovation. He is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Masters in IT and Bachelors in Accounting.

ecoSPIRITS’ mission to end single use glass by transitioning the spirits and wine industry to circular packaging technologies is an inspiring one. Developing an integrated platform powered by IoT and data is an immense undertaking, but one well worth pursuing. A future where we waste less and save more is possible. I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members and the leadership team at ecoSPIRITS.

Our Intelligent Circular roadmap will help us, and our customers, deliver circular solutions at unprecedented scale. I am delighted to welcome Eric to our board as ecoSPIRITS navigates the challenges and opportunities of building a global Intelligent Circular network. His wealth of technology leadership will be invaluable in helping our board and leadership team make smarter strategic decisions as we expand our investment in this all-important roadmap.

In the newly-created role of Chief Technology Officer, Tang will be responsible for overall product and technology development at ecoSPIRITS. Leading a team of hardware and software engineers, Tang will take charge of bringing to life ecoSPIRITS’ vision of a global Intelligent Circular network of IoT hardware powered by software and data. In this role, he will oversee ecoSPIRITS’ entire product portfolio, including its ecoPLANT, ecoTOTE, SmartPour, SmartKiosk and CircularONE technologies. In his new role, one of Tang’s first tasks will be to expand ecoSPIRITS’ team of hardware, IoT and software engineers in both Singapore and Shanghai. Tang has spent his 20-year career on the forefront of IoT and software development and innovation. Prior to joining ecoSPIRITS, Tang was most recently a founding member and Head of Engineering at Singapore-based SaaS logistics start-up Spares CNX, where he built and led a software development team of 30 engineers. Previously, Tang held senior software development and IoT leadership roles at Amazon Web Services, Accenture, Intel Corporation and GE Aviation. Throughout his career, he has focused on digital transformation strategies, with a specialization in IoT software platforms.

Over the past few years IoT has become one of the most important technologies of the 21st century and I have dedicated my career towards understanding and developing ways in which the physical world of products meets the digital world. I am delighted therefore to be able to use my experience and passion about future technology to work with ecoSPIRITS, a company that is dedicated to the sustainable future of our planet.

Over the past four years, ecoSPIRITS has built an industry-leading hardware product portfolio. We have also completed the first phase of development of CircularONE, which has now deployed with some of our largest customers. Over the next three years, we will be investing heavily in software, IoT and data integration to power our network. Derek’s extensive technology development and leadership experience, and his specialisation in IoT are the perfect fit for this next chapter in ecoSPIRITS’ journey.

The ecoSPIRITS circular packaging technology is now operating in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, with network coverage on pace to expand to 25 countries by early 2023. For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager at Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global.


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.




Rémy Cointreau to Launch Closed Loop Distribution in the United Kingdom

LONDON 1 December 2022 ecoSPIRITS has announced that it has partnered with Rémy Cointreau, one of the largest producers and distributors of spirits and liqueurs in the world, to jointly launch closed loop service in the United Kingdom in January 2023. The new collaboration will see two of Rémy Cointreau’s iconic brands Cointreau liqueur and Mount Gay rum made available in co-branded editions of ecoSPIRITS award-winning ecoTOTE and SmartPour hardware for on-trade venues in London and beyond. With this launch, Rémy Cointreau becomes the first global drinks company to partner with ecoSPIRITS in the United Kingdom and Cointreau becomes the first global liqueur brand to be available in a closed loop packaging format. For the launch, ecoSPIRITS and Rémy Cointreau have partnered with leading UK distributor, Speciality Drinks, which will be the exclusive distributor of Cointreau and Mount Gay’s Eclipse variant in ecoTOTE format for the initial phase of the pilot distribution period.

Cointreau is produced in France while the Mount Gay distillery is based in Barbados.

The Rémy Cointreau brands chosen to feature in the initial UK launch have global recognition and sit among the most high-profile spirits and liqueurs found in the UK’s on-trade scene. The producer’s eponymous Cointreau brand originated in Angers, France in 1849. The orange-flavoured liqueur is a cocktail pioneer at the heart of more than 600 cocktail recipes, including classics such as the original Margarita. The Barbados-born Mount Gay rum has a history dating back to 1703, making it the world’s oldest working rum distillery. It joined Rémy Cointreau’s stable of brands in 1989.

Cointreau is a versatile liqueur and a key ingredient in several cocktails.

As the first global customer to launch with ecoSPIRITS in the UK, Rémy Cointreau will see its two iconic brands deployed in co-branded hardware to venues across the on-trade, including bars, restaurants, and hotels. The brands will travel to outlets in ecoTOTE format where they can be dispensed into branded bottles or served directly into glass or cocktail shaker via ecoSPIRITSSmartPour technology. The venues involved in the program will be revealed when the partnership officially commences in early 2023.

Co-branded innovation: the ecoTOTE 2.0S Cointreau Edition and the SmartPour 2.0S Mount Gay Edition.

The UK launch with Rémy Cointreau is also significant for ecoSPIRITS because it marks another milestone in its journey to develop industry-leading circular technology. The co-branded SmartPour 2.0S Cointreau Edition has been adapted specifically for Cointreau to accommodate the higher levels of viscosity and sugar that are the hallmarks of the liqueur category. These adaptations included an upgraded dispense nozzle, enhanced calibration, and an upgraded cleaning process. The Cointreau Edition is the first SmartPour to be specifically tailored for liqueurs and will help accelerate ecoSPIRITS’ innovation in this important category.

The co-branded SmartPour Cointreau Edition has been adapted specifically for liqueurs.

The partnership with ecoSPIRITS forms part of Rémy Cointreau’s overall commitment to sustainable practices, whereby the company has set itself the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% per bottle by 2030 and moving towards Net Zero by 2050. The program forms part of the company’s “Sustainable Exception” roadmap built around Terroir, People & Time, where soil regeneration, sustainable production (products and transport), increased bottle circularity and responsible consumption, are all key elements. The collaboration with ecoSPIRITS will result in a 95% reduction in single use packaging waste for Cointreau and Mount Gay distributed in ecoTOTE format. The system will also help UK on-trade partners reduce their own operations waste streams and reduce back-of-house storage by 30 to 50%.

Mount Gay’s Eclipse is produced under the watchful eye of its Master Blender Trudiann Branker.

To support the new collaboration, existing ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner and leading UK distributor, Speciality Drinks, will be the exclusive distributor of Mount Gay Eclipse rum and Cointreau liqueur during a pilot period. Speciality Drinks was founded in 1999 by Sukhinder and Rajbar Singh, who also founded the leading spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange. The family-owned business works with more than 1,000 of the best bars, restaurants, and hotels across the UK and overseas, from the smallest pop-up bars to large international groups. As a member of the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program, Speciality Drinks is part of growing global coalition of importers, distributors, and wholesalers who are licensed for closed loop distribution using ecoSPIRITS’ technology.

The team at Speciality Drinks works with venues across the UK.

Paul Gabie, CEO of ecoSPIRITS

Rémy Cointreau is an industry-leading drinks company and a producer of renowned quality and heritage. We are delighted to welcome them as our first global brand partner in the United Kingdom. It is no small milestone when Cointreau and Mount Gay, each an iconic brand in its own right, join the circular economy. The transition to circular is gathering momentum in the spirits industry. We applaud the entire Rémy Cointreau team for their commitment to building a sustainable future together.

Augustin Depardon, Managing Director of Rémy Cointreau UK

I’m thrilled that Rémy Cointreau can pilot the ecoSPIRITS programme in the UK, and to see Cointreau as the first global liqueur to join the ecoSPIRITS system. Mount Gay Eclipse and Cointreau are incredibly important brands for our on-trade partners in the UK, and this is a significant step in helping them reduce their overall waste. Equally, it’s vital for us at Rémy Cointreau to look at every pillar of our sustainability practices to see where we can do better, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Jen Baernreuther, Commercial Director of Speciality Drinks

Speciality Drinks is genuinely proud to be a part of such an important movement in the effort to make our hospitality industry more eco-conscious. More and more of our customers are looking for advice on how to make changes, big or small, to their offering, reducing their impact on the planet and in turn their own customer’s impact. This is a huge move forward in the way we supply product and has such great potential to bring positive change.

Bars, restaurants, and hotels in the UK interested in participating in the collaboration between Rémy Cointreau and ecoSPIRITS can get in touch by contacting ecoSPIRITS’ Sales Director for Europe Iain.McPherson@ecospirits.global. For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, please contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager at Sonya.Hook@ecospirits.global and for Cointreau and Mount Gay in the UK, please contact cointreau@akacomms.com.


About Rémy Cointreau

All around the world, there are clients seeking exceptional experiences; clients for whom a wide range of terroirs means a variety of flavors. Their exacting standards are proportional to our expertise – the finely-honed skills that we pass down from generation to generation. The time these clients devote to drinking our products is a tribute to all those who have worked to develop them. It is for these men and women that Rémy Cointreau, a family-owned French group, protects its terroirs, cultivates exceptional multi-centenary spirits and undertakes to preserve their eternal modernity. The Group’s portfolio includes 14 singular brands, such as the Rémy Martin and Louis XIII cognacs, and Cointreau liqueur. Rémy Cointreau has a single ambition: becoming the world leader in exceptional spirits. To this end, it relies on the commitment and creativity of its 1,924 employees and on its distribution subsidiaries established in the Group’s strategic markets. Rémy Cointreau is listed on Euronet Paris.

For more information, visit www.remy-cointreau.com.


About Cointreau

Iconic orange liqueur creator and cocktail pioneer, Maison Cointreau was founded in 1849 in Angers, France, when the terroir and several generations of entrepreneurs came together. The excellence of its products would not be possible without concrete action in the field of corporate and environmental responsibility, from the orange groves through to the tasting glass. With the 2025 Sustainable Exception plan, environmental challenges now form the heart of the House of Cointreau’s strategy. This plan is based on three cornerstones: preserving our terroirs and biodiversity for future generations, committing to people by encouraging them to consume our products responsibly and respecting the value of time by combatting climate changeThe brand’s heritage as a liquorist-distiller lives on today at the heart of more than 500 cocktails, including the original Margarita and Cosmopolitan. Cointreau liqueur’s distinctive character is the result of the meticulous selection, harmony, and distillation of sweet and bitter orange peel essences, a task entrusted to Maison Cointreau’s Master Distiller. Unique and boasting exceptional organoleptic qualities, it’s a staple for bartenders and at-home cocktail enthusiasts around the world.

For more information, visit www.cointreau.com.


About Mount Gay

Mount Gay is the world’s oldest running rum distillery established in 1703. Founded and still located in the Parish of St Lucy, at the northernmost tip of Barbados, Mount Gay is crafted using pure, coral-filtered water and the finest Barbadian and Caribbean molasses. Distilled in traditional double copper pot and copper column stills, Mount Gay rums are aged in a diverse selection of casks including American whiskey, Bourbon and Cognac. Harnessing over 300 years of heritage and expertise, Mount Gay rums are a fine balance between science, art and innovation. Blended by Master Blender Trudiann Branker and aged under the influence of Barbados’ tropical climate, our rums highlight a unique, rich and flavourful character. Mount Gay’s core range includes Mount Gay Silver, Mount Gay Eclipse, Mount Gay Black Barrel and Mount Gay XO alongside the annual limited editions 1703 Master Select and the Master Blender Collection. In addition to crafting the world’s oldest rum, Mount Gay is committed at all times to the use of sustainable and transparent practices in order to realise our vision of environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality.

For more information on our rum and to explore more about what we do for our community and the planet, visit www.mountgayrum.com.


About Speciality Drinks

Speciality Drinks is a family-owned business, working with more than 1,000 of the best bars, restaurants and hotels across the UK and overseas from the smallest pop-up bars to large international groups. A premier supplier of whiskies, spirits and champagnes to the on-trade focused on exceptional service, sharing our passion for great drinks and introducing new producers and categories to the on trade. The company was founded in 1999 by Sukhinder and Rajbar Singh, founders of the world’s leading whisky and spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange.

For more information, visit https://specialitydrinks.com.


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 14 countries and 30 cities across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For more information, visit www.ecospirits.global.



ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Canada with Caldera Distilling, Expanding North America Presence

CALGARY 17 November 2022 ecoSPIRITS has announced plans to launch closed loop service in Canada under a Licensed Operator Agreement with Caldera Distilling, a Nova Scotia-based craft spirits producer and owner of Highwood Distillers in Alberta, Canada’s largest independent distillery. ecoSPIRITS Canada will start operations in early 2023 with a range of spirits in ecoTOTE format, including Caldera’s flagship Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky. Distribution will initially commence in British Columbia and Alberta with other Canadian provinces to be added over the course of 2023. The move into Canada is a significant step for ecoSPIRITS as it continues to build on its North American footprint, which currently covers the United States, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands.

Vancouver, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta will be amongst the first cities served by ecoSPIRITS Canada.

Canada is a strategic market for ecoSPIRITS, being one of the world’s top ten economies with GDP expected to reach $1.74 trillion by the end of 2022. A G8 nation, Canada’s enormous geographic footprint offers both significant opportunities and challenges. It is also home to the well-established Canadian Whisky segment, which is the best-selling whisky style in North America and a popular category globally. Canada has been producing whisky for more than two centuries and now boasts more than 300 craft distillers. Concentration means that the country’s top eight producers represent more than 95% of Canadian whisky production. Canadian Whisky shares some characteristics with Scotch Whisky and bourbon, but the frequent addition of rye, along with unique production techniques, means Canadian whiskies tend to have a style of their own.

Caldera Distilling’s Hurricane 5 Canadian Whisky will be the first Canadian spirit to be available in ecoTOTE format.

Caldera Distilling was founded in 2013 in the port town of River John, Nova Scotia, a community famed for its shipbuilding craftsmanship and agricultural export market. Caldera Distilling pays tribute to this heritage by handcrafting its spirits using regional ingredients, such as local hard water and homegrown grains. Caldera’s flagship brand, Hurricane 5 Whisky, will be the first to be distributed in ecoTOTE format, but other brands will follow shortly after. Earlier this year, Caldera bought Alberta-based spirits producer Highwood Distillers. Caldera’s acquisition of Highwood not only significantly expanded its portfolio of brands, but it added storage and aging facilities for more than 17,500 barrels of whisky, while also giving the producer a much-needed presence on Canada’s West.

Caldera Distilling is located in the port town of River John, Nova Scotia.

Highwood Distillers was founded in 1974 and is based in Alberta’s High River, near the city of Calgary, which will also be the location of Canada’s first ecoPLANT™. Highwood produces several well-known brands across most spirit categories, including White Owl Whisky, Centennial 10 Year Old Whisky, and Foothills Vodka. Highwood is Canada’s largest privately-owned distillery and is one of the country’s biggest spirits producers. It sits within the top eight major Canadian distillers and is the only one not owned by a multinational alcoholic beverage company. Highwood distils its own whisky, vodka, and gin, and it also imports rum, whiskies (including Scotch whisky) and tequila for distribution across Canada.

Highwood Distillers was founded in 1974 and is based in Alberta’s High River, near the city of Calgary.

ecoSPIRITS Canada will be headed up by Caldera Distilling’s CEO Jarret Stuart, Co-Owner David Walker, and President Michael Nychyk. To cover such a large geographical area, the trio will roll out ecoSPIRITS Canada in stages, with the first phase anchored by the installation of an ecoPLANT at the Highwood distillery in Alberta. This facility will serve Western Canada, starting with the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Over time, Caldera and ecoSPIRITS plan to deploy additional ecoPLANTS across Canada, to eventually cover all major population centers in country.

Jarret Stuart, CEO of Caldera Distilling

Caldera Distilling was founded with a commitment to the idea that spirits can deliver terroir character, much like fine wine. From the start we have placed a big focus on ingredients, regionality and craftsmanship, and this extends to a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment. We are excited therefore to be able to take this next step in our sustainability journey while simultaneously bringing circular technology for the distribution of wine and spirits to Canada.

David Walker, Co-Owner of Caldera Distilling

Sustainability has always been important for us as a company and so it is a great honour to be able to lead the way in Canada by bringing ecoSPIRITS’ innovative circular distribution model to the region. We know there are many venues, drinks businesses and consumers in Canada who are keen to make the move towards ending single use glass in wine and spirits, and we are keen to work with ecoSPIRITS and the industry to help drive this transition.

Jessica Berry, Sales Director, North America for ecoSPIRITS

“The launch of our closed loop technology in Canada will be an important step in the development of our North America region. We could not ask for better partners in Caldera Distilling. I am confident that the team behind ecoSPIRITS Canada have the knowledge, commitment, and existing market base to support this important transition to the circular economy. I am looking forward to working with them for the launch and beyond.

ecoSPIRITS’ industry-leading closed loop packaging technology is now available in more than 14 countries and 30 cities across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, with network coverage forecast to expand to 25 countries by the first half of 2023. To find out more information about opportunities to partner with ecoSPIRITS in Canada, please contact Jessica Berry at jessica.berry@ecospirits.global and canada@ecospirits.global. For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager at sonya.hook@ecospirits.global.


About Caldera Distilling

Capturing the essence of our history in every bottle, Caldera Distilling embodies the spirits of the explorer, the eye of the craftsman and the patience of the farmer in every bottle of whisky we share with the world. Raise your glass and join us in celebrating our roots. Nova Scotia craftsmanship combined with whisky ingredients that are grown on our River John distillery property gives us the unique opportunity to craft authentic local spirits. Enjoy flavours shaped by the land that our traditional grains are grown in. Caldera Distilling is proud to be 100% Canadian owned and operated, using only Canadian grains and aging some of the rarest and finest Canadian whiskies on earth.

To find out more visit: www.caldera.ca


About Highwood Distillers

Highwood Distillers, which was founded in 1974, was named after the famous river and region that surrounds the distillery in the foothills of Western Canada’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. Until 1997, both the distillery and sales offices were located at the distillery in High River, Alberta. Today the sales team operates out of Calgary, Alberta, while the distillery continues to thrive and grow in High River. Highwood’s fine whiskies begin with small batch distillation, following by aging in charred oak barrels. It has whisky brands such as White Owl, Highwood Canadian Rye Whisky and Potters Special Old Canadian Rye Whisky and its portfolio also includes a range of spirits including vodka, rum, gin, and liqueurs.

To find out more visit: www.highwood-distillers.com


About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 14 countries and 30 cities across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. More than 1,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.