How are glass bottles manufactured at Rockwood Glass in China?

Bespoke glass bottles have become increasingly popular in recent years, as companies and individuals seek to create unique packaging for their spirits and liquors. Have you ever wondered how these glass bottles are manufactured? 

Let's examine how the French-owned, China-based company, Rockwood Glass, creates tailor-made glass bottles for its world-renowned clients. It is a 1-stop shop for all steps of bespoke bottle and closure design, manufacturing, packaging, and delivery. 

Its factories are known for producing glass bottles of superior quality, thanks to both the know-how, and the on-site state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. The company has six production lines for glass bottles alone. Despite being based in China, Rockwood Glass adheres to European quality control (QC) standards, ensuring that every bottle that leaves the factories is free of blemishes and imperfections. Rockwood's Quality Control processes

The steps of the glass bottle manufacturing process

Bottles are often designed to be visually appealing, as well as functional, and are made using a variety of manufacturing techniques. The first step to bottle production consists of determining the volume, design, and shape of the bottle. Rockwood’s in-house account managers and design teams collaborate closely with each client. The clients provide input on the size, shape, and originality of the desired result, as well as on their estimated order forecasts and budget. They can choose to create a more traditional and common shape or an exclusive design that could even stand alone as a work of art!

Once the concept has been agreed upon, Rockwood’s 3D designers bring the tailored bottle and its cap (closure) designs to life for final approval. The prototype is then finalized and will serve as the mold for the production of up to 10 million bottles. Molds are replaced free of charge after they sustain significant wear and tear.

Glass bottle production

During production, glass is heated in a furnace that reaches 1600 degrees Celcius (2900 degrees Fahrenheit), until it becomes molten. The molten glass is poured into the mold to take shape. The annealing process of cooling the glass within the mold begins, in order to relieve it of any internal stresses, thus making it more durable. After the bottle has cooled, it is removed from the mold and sent to the finishing station.

Once in the finishing station, the bottle is inspected for any defects or imperfections. If there are any defects, the bottle is discarded and the process is repeated. If the bottle is deemed to be of expected quality, it is sent for further processing. This can include polishing to remove any rough edges, applying a label or design to the bottle, or adding a cork or other closure.

Choice of glass for bespoke glass bottles

Rockwood Glass produces glass bottles in a variety of colors and qualities. The bottles can be made of flint glass, which is a clear and colorless glass that is commonly used for wine and liquor bottles. They can also be made of super flint glass, which is a high-quality, ultra-clear glass that is often used for premium spirits and cosmetics. Black glass and cobalt blue glass are also popular options for bespoke glass bottles, as they provide a distinctive look.

Overall, the manufacturing process for glass bottles is complex and requires a high degree of skill and expertise. Rockwood Glass has a team of experienced glassmakers who are dedicated to producing high-quality bottles that meet the exact specifications of their clients. By using the latest technology and adhering to strict quality control standards, Rockwood Glass has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers of bespoke glass bottles. Whether you are looking for a unique packaging solution for your product, or simply want to create a one-of-a-kind bottle for a special occasion, Rockwood Glass can help you bring your vision to life. And it doesn’t end there...

Bottling with Rockwood

Rockwood also has its own bottling factory in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ or duty-free zone) just South of Shanghai. As such is can provide a cost-effective filling service, with no legal requirement to mention the country in which the filling took place on the label.

If you are interested in discussing a future collaboration with Rockwood Glass, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

You’re interested in creating bespoke ceramic bottles? Then check out the Rockwood Ceramics website here.

Rockwood is the largest French-owned glass and ceramic bottle factory in China. It produces over 6 million exclusive bottles for some of the most prominent premium brands in the global spirits and beverages arena, and a further 500+ million classic bottles, annually.