Coca-Cola promises 'greener' drinks bottles

Coca-Cola has been given lot of support from major partners such as local retailer RT-Mart, said Zhang Huaying, Coca-Cola's vice-president in China and Korea.

"We imported some PlantBottle packaging during the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. With the supply chain built up now, we think it is the right time to introduce this into China," she said.

Although the exact investment in the research and development of the PlantBottle has not been disclosed, Zhang said the cost would not be transferred to consumers.

David G. Brooks,Coca-Cola's president in China and Korea, added: "Chinese consumers are well aware of the importance of environmental protection.

"We also believe that in the next 10 years, China will be the fastest growing market for Coca-Cola. We are committed to using PlantBottle packaging for all plastic bottles by 2020 in China."

The Coca-Cola Co introduced the first PlantBottle packages in Copenhagen in 2009. Until now, it has produced more than 14 billion items in 24 countries using the product, eliminating the equivalent of 300,000 barrels of oil, or the equivalent of almost 135,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, it said.

It is also working with leading companies such as Nike, Heinz, Procter & Gamble and Ford to further promote the technology.