Glass-on-glass closure for wine

Alcoa Closure Systems International has begun commercial production of Vino-Lok, its 'glass-on-glass' closure system for wine bottles that it developed as an alternative to corks and synthetic stoppers. Alcoa will supply the new glass closures from its Worms, Germany, facility to several wineries in Europe that provide wines to Lufthansa.

The Vino-Lok closure system fills a niche in the wine industry, which has sought alternatives to natural cork, that meets both the quality and aesthetic demands of connoisseurs.

The Vino-Lok closure looks like a decorative decanter stopper, and it is recyclable. Made with rubberised O-rings, the glass stopper provides a sterile seal, preventing contamination or oxidation. An aluminium cap over the bottle will ensure mechanical protection and tamper evidence.

The Vino-Lok 'Selection' with a glass stopper is the first product in a portfolio of wine closures that Alcoa CSI is currently developing as an alternative to traditional wine stoppers.