Biodegradable packaging – How Korean Bottled Water Brands Are Accelerating Change With Biodegradable Packaging To Reduce Plastic Waste And Lead A New Eco-Friendly Beverage Future For Korea 25-11-2025
Biodegradable packaging
Korean Bottled Water Brands Turn to Biodegradable Packaging for Faster, Cleaner Sustainability
Korea’s bottled water industry is undergoing a major transformation as brands race to reduce plastic waste and introduce biodegradable packaging that breaks down more easily in the environment. With billions of plastic bottles produced worldwide each year, Korean beverage companies are rethinking how everyday water products can remain convenient while dramatically shrinking their ecological footprint.
Plastic waste from bottled water has long been one of the most persistent forms of pollution. A United Nations study reports that more than 600 billion plastic containers were produced globally in 2021, and an alarming 85 percent ended up in landfills. This growing concern has pushed the industry to explore biodegradable packaging solutions that help water bottles decompose faster and support long-term sustainability goals.
Paper-Based Bottled Water Expands Across Korea
A major step forward comes from Tetra Pak South Korea, which recently partnered with Polestar Korea to launch Polestar Water. Instead of traditional PET bottles, Polestar Water is packaged using the paper-based system developed by Gipeunmul, a brand under iN Nature Dream. This shift aligns Polestar’s sustainability mission with a practical approach to reducing plastic reliance.
The new product also minimizes label printing and avoids unnecessary decorative materials. Starting next month, Polestar Water will be available at Polestar stores nationwide and will be featured at brand events and test drives. Its use of biodegradable packaging represents a growing industry trend toward paper-based alternatives.
Events Promote Eco-Friendly Bottled Water
Public events are becoming testing grounds for innovative bottle materials. During this month’s Fire Baseball live game at Gocheok Sky Dome, spectators received water in eco-friendly containers from the brand Re:lief. Produced by Cleanwrap, these bottles use 100 percent PLA made from sugarcane—one of the most promising materials in biodegradable packaging.
PLA not only decomposes naturally but can also be converted into biogas, making it a highly efficient alternative to petroleum-based plastics. This shift highlights how Korean companies are experimenting with practical, scalable ways to reduce disposable plastic in everyday products.
Sugarcane-Based Containers Gain Momentum
Sugarcane-based containers are expanding beyond bottled water. Oriental Brewery recently donated 45,000 bottles of OB Water—packaged entirely in sugarcane-derived bottles—to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. This move not only supports sustainability but also demonstrates how large beverage producers can integrate biodegradable packaging into their manufacturing lines.
Although alternative materials like sugarcane PLA increase production costs slightly, Korean consumers—especially those in their 20s and 30s—are showing strong support. A Korea Environment Institute study revealed that customers are willing to pay an additional 896 won for carbon-reduced bottled water and 1,068 won for microplastic-free water. This consumer shift encourages more companies to adopt biodegradable packaging despite higher initial expenses.
Lightweight Packaging Reduces Carbon Emissions
Not all sustainability improvements require a complete shift away from plastic. Some brands are minimizing environmental impact by reducing container weight, which cuts carbon emissions during production and transportation.
Jeju Samdasoo, Korea’s leading bottled water brand, decreased its bottle weight by 12 percent while reinforcing compression strength by 15 percent. As a result, the company now uses about 3,400 fewer tons of plastic each year. This approach maintains product familiarity while supporting environmental goals.
Similarly, Lotte Chilsung Beverage introduced Korea’s first sub-10-gram ultra-light bottle under its ICIS brand. The company is also pioneering recycled PET usage, becoming the first in Korea to adopt 100 percent mechanically recycled PET for its iconic Chilsung Cider bottles. While not fully biodegradable, these advancements complement the broader push toward biodegradable packaging by reducing overall plastic production.
A More Sustainable Future for Korea’s Beverage Industry
The shift toward biodegradable packaging in Korea’s bottled water market reflects a powerful industry-wide commitment to reducing plastic waste. Whether through paper-based solutions, sugarcane-derived PLA, or lighter recycled plastic bottles, beverage companies are rethinking traditional packaging and responding to rising consumer demand for sustainable choices.
As innovation accelerates, Korea is positioning itself as a leader in eco-friendly beverage packaging. The movement toward biodegradable packaging is not just a trend—it is shaping the future of how everyday products are made, consumed, and responsibly returned to the environment.
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