{"pages":{"page":[{"@ID":33
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 31 Tethered caps - changing the game Inspection tasks have been significantly affected by the adoption of tethered caps. The previous regime of removable caps with fairly simple tamper-evident bands has been replaced with rotational symmetric often slitted and rotational asymmetric moulded tamper evident bands. While some elements have not changed at all – whether or not the cap is present, its colour, height measurement and whether it has been fitted properly or are canted over. The system will check for broken bands, broken bridges, cross-threading, and other defects. A short animation sequence illustrated the issues and differences between asymmetric and symmetric bands. The number of cameras used can affect the detection of small defects. Monochrome visual systems rely upon differentiation of shades of grey. Colour cameras, by contrast, can see variations more clearly. A single camera solution has a blind spot of 240 degrees, which makes it difficult to inspect the complete closure sidewall. Using four cameras provides a reliable 360-degree view without blind spots and allows for more accurate inspection but the rotational asymmetry of tamperevident bands can lead to different views in each of the four images, which makes determing the orientation a must to avoid compromises on inspection accuracy. The use of incident light can help identify defects in rotational asymmetric closures that may not be visible under transmitted light. Van Laar explained in detail how Heuft’s latest software can accurately and reliably find small defects in the closure cycle, such as broken bridges and increased deviating pixels, with high accuracy, even for rotational asymmetric tethered tamper evident bands. Questions The audience online was eager to cover a wide range of points, from the use of recycled PET outside the food and beverage industries, such as automotive, textiles and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) to exemptions and enforcement. Dr Trunk said that even with a ‘loss’ to other industries from food and beverage, there is enough PET material to meet EU recycling targets. The principal challenge in the EU is capacity. The first objective in the regulations is to reduce waste in the first place. It is to be cut by five per cent from the 2018 level, even in the event of increased packaging in the market, so achieving a real-terms decrease over the period. The main reduction in waste will be in cardboard. Policing ‘exempt materials’ The chairman asked if ‘exempt materials’ could be used as a ‘get out of jail free’ card, or loophole, to enable countries or corporations to avoid compliance. Dr Trunk emphasised that the exemptions are restricted to, essentially, medical and pharmaceutical applications. These exemptions will be kept under review, in the light of developments in technology. Enforcement On the question enforcement and penalties and how the EU will ensure buy-in from the private sector, especially in the context of the current reduction in recycling capacity, he replied that enforcement of the 2025 levels within their territories are the responsibility of member states. Beyond that, the requirement to meet the 30 per cent and subsequent requirements for recycled content will be enforced by certification and inspection. Fines will be under national law but are expected by the Commission to be significant. The EPR ‘polluter pays’ money is expected to be used to identify bottlenecks in the value chain and to channel resources to relieve them. Moderator Ruari McCallion concluded with thanks to Dr Trunk, Sjoerd van Laar and the audience. On our PETinar website you can watch the recording of the event and download the presentations. Take a look at the PETinar archive - it’s worth it! www.petpla.net/2023/08/22/petinar-eu-directives-are-you-fi t-for-2024/ :06 $\"/ )\"7& '30. 5)& 4\".& 3&4063$& 4BMFT!BDNFESJOLUFD DPN XXX BDNFESJOLUFD DPN \r \r 1SPWFO 4JOHMF 4UBHF *4#. .PMET (MPCBMMZ $BWJUBUJPO &OIBODFE UP $3&\"5*/( .0-%4 8*5) \" %*''&3&/$& \"DNF %SJOLUFD 4PMVUJPOT --1 .0-%4 '03 /*44&* \"4# \t .# ] . ] %1) ] %18 \n \"0,*\r 4*1\" &5$ NN 0JM #PUUMF \t NM )\"-- 45\"-- $ 7JTJU 6T $BWJUZ .PME 1JPOFFSJOH JOOPWBUJPOT JO *4#. NPMET . /JTTFJ \"4#"},{"@ID":29
"TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 27 Visitors can check them out in more detail as they explore “Beverage Hills” on the Bericap stand, starting in the tethered caps district before moving on to the dynamic sport caps precinct and the laid-back neighborhood where the aluminium closures for wines and spirits can be found. Each zone provides in-depth insights into a specific product category. Tried-and-tested Clip Aside tethered caps EU Directive 2019/904 stipulates that plastic caps must remain attached to beverage bottles with a capacity of up to 3 l after opening by July 2024 at the latest. Bericap is already prepared to meet that requirement and more than 5 billion beverage bottles have been filled and marketed with Clip Aside closures, which are in use on over 70 filling lines. The new closures are available for all relevant PET bottle neck finishes from 26 to 38mm in various beverage categories including carbonated soft drinks (CSD), water, juice and tea drinks, as well as milk products. They are joined by the new Clip Cap 23 for beverage cartons. A consumer survey conducted by Bericap has revealed that users appreciate Clip Aside’s 180-degree opening and intuitive handling. The new sport caps portfolio The “Mayence” and “Biarritz” sport caps, as well as the “Monet” closure, are designed for convenient on-thego beverage consumption. They can be operated with one hand, have a 180-degree opening angle and boast a distinctive tamper evidence feature. All Bericap sport closures are made of HDPE/PP materials to optimise recyclability. The one-piece Bericap “Biarritz” is suitable for dry and wet aseptic filling. The two-piece sport closure “Mayence” can have a bi-colour design and is suitable for wet aseptic filling. Bericap “Monet”, a two-piece dryand-wet-aseptic-fillable premium closure, features a high-visibility tamper evidence ring in a different colour between the body and cap – and the distinctive window on the closure clearly indicates if the closure has already been opened. Aluminium and safety closures for the wine and spirits market The “Mala” range of aluminium closures plays an important role complementing the Bericap portfolio at BrauBeviale. Bericap will present its new single-source supplier setup for wine and spirit manufacturers. It includes simple Roll On Pilfer Proof (ROPP) aluminium closures to highly complex safety closures. Bericap says it is also possible to respond more precisely to individual customer needs and preferences, offering a comprehensive range of decoration and design solutions. “Brau Beviale concludes this year’s ‘Welcome to Captown’ trade fair concept,” said Thomas Henkel, Sales Director – Beverage Closures at Bericap. “It’s definitely worth planning a long visit to “Beverage Hills” because there is so much good news on the trending subject of tethered closures. We are incredibly proud that there are already more than 5 billion Clip Aside closures in the market today and glad to be helping our customers comply with the EU Directive with the minimum of modifications to their filling lines. We are committed to being a pioneer in the tethered closure market.” Held in Nuremberg since 1978, Brau Beviale is one of the leading capital goods exhibitions for the global beverage industry. It is a place where tradition and longstanding experience meet inspiration and the latest regional and global trends. After a 4-year break, the fair will be showcasing a comprehensive range of products for the entire process chain in nine halls on approx. 40,000m² of exhibition space and hosting around 900 exhibitors from 135 countries. The motto for this year’s fair is “We unite variety”. www.bericap.com Bericap - Stand 219 in Hall 4 Trend-setting Clip Aside tethered caps The final European trade fair stop of the year for Bericap, a well-known global manufacturer of plastic and aluminium closures, is BrauBeviale 2023 in Nuremberg. The company will be showcasing sustainable and user-friendly solutions for the beverage sector under its “Welcome to Captown” slogan."},{"@ID":42
"39 PRODUCTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 0/23 www.petpla.net Small size PET and rPET containers In the latest years, in many countries of the Gulf region, the growing tourism flow has generated a significant hike in the consumption of small-sized PET bottles of water. In these areas people prefer using small containers which allow the water to be consumed immediately in a single serve and to avoid wasting or heating it to room temperature. An increasingly higher number of bottling companies are developing container formats that can meet these needs. Among them, the tiny bottle of 200ml designed by SMI engineers for the Saudi company Soqya Al Madina Water is an elegant solution suitable for distribution in hotels, restaurants, bars and airplanes, whose diamond pattern imprinted on its surface recalls the idea of crystal clear water. The 200ml PET bottles are manufactured by the EBS 10 KL Ergon stretch-blow moulding machine that SMI is showcasing at Dubai’s Gulfood Manufacturing 2023 event. From the design to the production of containers With a team of specialised engineers and latest generation designing tools, SMI is able to design, develop and virtually prototype a wide range of packaging solutions made from rPET and PET. The containers designed by SMI for water highlight the product contained thanks to their shape and special decoration. SMI relies on an advanced 3D CAD department for bottle design and graphic processing, that, after an accurate analysis of the customer ’s requests, turns the container idea into a detailed project and, finally, into a physical prototype. SMI said that the engineers have designed more than 1,700 containers, featuring simple and highly complex shapes suitable for different products. Container moulds SMI manufactures moulds and machines for stretch-blow moulding, filling and packing containers in PET and rPET. The bottle moulds installed on SMI stretch-blow moulders are manufactured using a special aluminium alloy. The 12 machining centres can achieve an output rate of around 15,000 moulds per year and are equipped with linear motors running at 80m/min and mandrels running at 30,000 rounds/min. For large-scale production of these containers, SMI offers a wide range of rotary stretchblow moulders from EBS Ergon series, avai lable in stand-alone or Ecobloc version, integrated with the filling and capping modules. SMI machines from EBS Ergon range are compact, efficient and ergonomic and adapt to the needs of smart & green factory for productions up to 50,000 bph. www.smigroup.it PETproducts BOTTLE MAKING"},{"@ID":10
"8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Coca-Cola partners with Swedish start-up Blue Ocean Closures Blue Ocean Closures, a Swedish start-up dedicated to reducing plastic usage in packaging closures, announces its partnership with Coca-Cola’s EMEA R&D Center in Brussels. The innovation introduced by Blue Ocean Closures is a fibre-based packaging screw cap, derived from biobased and recyclable materials. “For us to succeed with this groundbreaking move, away from fossil-based plastics, it is extremely important to have global brands onboard, with the ambition and ability to truly making a difference, says Lars Sandberg, CEO of Blue Ocean Closures. In line with its ambitions to advance sustainable packaging while reducing the use of non-renewable material, and support its ambitious WorldWithout Waste strategy, Coca-Cola is joining Blue Ocean Closures’ community of pioneering partners. Blue Ocean Closures aims to transform the packaging industry through the design and manufacture of fibre-based screw caps and lids. First to the market, it intends to address the world’s plastic pollution crisis by ensuring its products live up to five core concepts: being biobased, ocean biodegradable, recyclable, cost-effective, and scalable. As brands, businesses, and innovators worldwide look to achieve sustainability, Blue Ocean Closures is doing its part to drive progress in packaging. Backed by industry leaders Alpla and Glatfelter, Blue Ocean Closures is exploring new packaging solutions and enabling brands to decrease their carbon footprint. www.blueoceanclosures.com Husky appoints John Linker as Chief Financial Officer Husky Technologies announced the appointment of John Linker as Chief Financial Officer. Effective October 19, 2023, Linker replaced John Hafferty, who joined Husky in 2019 following the company’s transition to new ownership. Over the past four years, Hafferty was tasked with improving the company’s accounting and finance operations, assembling a strong team and ensuring best practices were in place throughout the organisation. “John Hafferty was instrumental in the continued development of the Husky finance organisation, and we are grateful for all his contributions,” said Husky CEO John Galt. “The groundwork he laid paves the way for a seamless transition to the next phase of the company’s growth and evolution.” Linker joins Husky from Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2022 as well as Chief Operations Officer since 2023. Prior to that, Linker was an executive at Jeld-Wen Holding, Inc. for more than nine years from 2012 to 2022 where he held leadership positions including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “John Linker is a proven leader and finance executive who is the right fit for the next stage of our journey,” added Galt. “He has worked across a wide range of industries and has substantial experience in both public company and private equity sponsor settings. We believe his background and expertise will be critical to our success in coming years.” Prior to Serta and Jeld-Wen, Linker worked for UTC Aerospace Systems, Wachovia Securities and Bank of America. Linker earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from Duke University. www.husky.co Plastics Recycling Show India launches in Mumbai, December 4-6, 2024 The launch edition of the Plastics Recycling Show India (PRS India) will take place at the Nesco Bombay Exhibition Center (BEC) in Mumbai from December 4 to 6, 2024. The three-day exhibition and conference is the first event in India specifically dedicated to plastics recycling. PRS India is the latest extension of the fast-growing PRS series of annual global events for the plastics recycling sector which includes the Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam, the Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa in Dubai and the Plastics Recycling Show Asia in Singapore. The Plastics Recycling Show India is designed for plastics recycling professionals. It brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practice, network and do business. A broad cross-section of the industry will be represented at the event including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, preprocessors, plastics recyclers, recycling and waste management specialists, government and industry associations. The latest trends in the plast ics recycl ing sector wi l l be explored in depth in the conference, which wi l l provide a hol istic view of the whole plastic recycl ing value chain, drawing together legislators, major brands, recyclers and the plastics recycl ing and manufacturing industry. Local and international experts will address key themes including the circular economy, regulations, challenges, opportunities, innovations, technologies and trends, and share insights and experiences from across the sector promoting the sustainable use of plastics. Plastics Recycling Show India is organised by Crain Communications and Media Fusion and is supported by Plastics Recyclers Europe. The event will run annually starting in December 2024. PRS event calendar 2024: Plastics Recycling Show Europe, RAI Amsterdam, June 19-20, 2024 www. prseventeurope.com Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa, Dubai, September 10-12, 2024 www.prseventmea.com Plastics Recycling Show Asia, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, November 13-14, 2024 www.prseventasia.com Plastics Recycling Show India, BEC Mumbai, December 4-6, 2024 https:// bit.ly/prseventindia"},{"@ID":50
""},{"@ID":12
"BOTTLE MAKING 10 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Sustainability trend in beverages shaping the future of PET bottles by Linda Lichtmess, Research Consultant at Euromonitor International Plastic packaging dominates the grocery landscape. Flexible plastic and PET bottles lead, and account for 47% of retail packaging sales. With a 3% rise in 2022, the PET bottle headlines overall packaging volume growth. But there are substantial changes taking place as circularity and sustainability are gaining momentum. For many years, PET bottles have taken the center stage of medial interest when it comes to the discourse on plastic packaging and its environmental impact. We have all seen pictures of massive landfills in African or Asian nations or beaches being flooded by plastic bottles, PET bottles. While there are innovations looking into alternative materials such as metal cans or glass bottles, the reality is that alone in the beverage industry, PET bottles have a share of more than 41%. Looking at the soft drinks sector, the most important consumer of PET bottles, the share is even higher making 61% in 2023. Forecasts are hinting at a rather stable share, but with a growing consumption meaning that the beverage industry will need more PET bottles in 2027. In actual numbers: 80 billion units more than in 2023. Looking into soft drinks in particular, bottled water will be the main driver of growing volume consumption. As PET bottles are the most prominent packaging type in this category, the expected future consumption will also increase the need for PET bottles. This is particularly true for the Middle East & Africa, a region which is expected to drive the growing water consumption. The growing consumption is facing a growing need for more sustainable solutions of plastic usage. On the one hand, the regulatory pressure on corporates is increasing. The EU is likely to ban greenwashing and aiming to improve consumer information on product durability. Similar to the EU Health Claims directive, the European Union is planning to ban generic environmental claims that could be misleading, and which are not based on approved certification schemes. Some prominent examples have been claims of the soft drinks’ producer Danone’s brand Volvic which claims to be “climate neutral” in Germany. On the other hand, consumers are increasingly worried about their consumption and its environmental impact and are demanding more sustainable action from businesses and brands. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Sustainability Survey in 2023, nearly two thirds of global consumers are worried about climate change. At the same time, industry experts complain that the lack of consumers to pay more for sustainable products is the main barrier hindering sustainability initiatives’ effectiveness (Source: Euromonitor International Voice of the Industry: Sustainability Survey, 2023). This is especially the case within the packaging industry, where more than 58% of experts agreed. The industry is also making investments that aim at e.g. saving water and energy, recycling, green technology, circular economy business models etc. The problem seems to be the communication of such efforts to the consumer, as Euromonitor’s survey showcases. The main pillars for material circularity are: removal, re-design, re-use, and alternative models. Reducing the material to its very core, removing any surplus and incorporating recyclable material is the goal. While innovation for alternative packaging solutions is also ongoing, ensuring the material already out there can be collected and recycled (and/or refilled), will be important to ensure a circular packaging economy. Thus, one increasingly popular approach is the surge of deposit return systems (DRS). At the moment, DRS schemes are fairly limited in geographic scope. Roughly 13% of global beverage packaging is covered by a current or soon-to-be implemented national DRS. Source: Euromonitor International Passport Packaging Industry 2023 Note: 2023-2027 data is a forecast BOTTLE MAKING"},{"@ID":24
"BOTTLE MAKING 22 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net between different and potentially conflicting requirements: aesthetics, functionality and performance on the one hand, and packaging sustainability on the other. From this point of view, Sacmi has implemented projects together with the brand owners, in keeping with the increasing sensitivity of manufacturers to the issue of recycled resins and respect for the environment, whether or not it is enforced by current regulations. One of the most interesting projects implemented for leading global players was the design and development of a lightweight container for highly carbonated CSD that reduced the total weight from 22 to 18.5 g and included 25% of recyclate, successfully achieving this double challenge. Important results were achieved in the production of low-pressure bottoms. A 40% saving on the amount of compressed air was achieved, allowing CSD containers to be blown using a pressure of 15-20 bar, compared to the 25-29 bar required by the traditional method. The various projects Sacmi has been involved as a ‘single partner’ for the supply of both the bottling line (blowing and filling), the IPS machine for preforms and, lastly, the CCM (continuous compression moulding) press for caps, for which Sacmi is known for. In the development of ‘turnkey solutions’ – which are particularly popular in the African market, for example with the recent projects finalised in Kenya, Tanzania, etc. The PET-in-box opportunity Research and development into new solutions from a technological point of view, which are capable of intercepting new market trends is an important part of Sacmi Beverage’s activities. One interesting proposal is the development of PET-in-box, i.e. the replacement of the traditional BIB ‘bag’, which is difficult to recycle, with a PET bottle blown from a super-light preform. Sacmi stated that the advantage is a net saving on material which – taking the standard 5, 8 or 10 litre formats as an example – is more than 50% (from 125-130 g to 69 g). The container can easily be recycled in the traditional PET chain. The application developed does not require the production of special preforms. In fact, the lightest preform already available on the market was used to make a standard 41/48mm neck, with the possibility of improving weight reduction even further depending on the application requested and the availability of ultra-light preforms. www.sacmi.com 5IF SJHIU JOTQFDUJPO TPMVUJPO '03 &\"$) #055-& $0/5\"*/&3 888 */53\"7*4 $0."},{"@ID":26
"MARKET SURVEY 24 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Company And & Or Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number Email PI El Limon, Av. de Europa, 6, 41928 Palomares Del Rio (Sevilla) - Spain +34 954 779 200 www.andyor.com Mr Caridad Ortega Suárez Sales Director +34 954 779 200 andyor@andyor.com Shrink film machinery: Packaging options & output rate (packs per minute) - print registered fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) No - nested pack (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-900bpm - label orientation (yes/no; packs/min) No - carry handles (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-400bpm - pad supported (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-400bpm - tray supported (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-400bpm - fi lm only (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-900bpm - tray and fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-900bpm - pad and fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, 15-900bpm Shrink process: - shrink tunnel with hot air Shrinking pistols (hot air) - oven Footprint Several models depending on speed Number of possible lanes Max. length of the pack is 1,400mm Packaging material & possible thickness LDPE + LLDPE 40-60 μm Voltage/power/energy consumption Several models depending on speed Film cutting and feeding system Yes Certifi cation CE and UL Palletising machinery: Format changeover time 15-20min Output rate (packs/min) Up to 400bpm Automatically intergrated:(yes/no) Yes Empty pack feeding Yes Insertion of interlayers Yes Connectable to shrinkwrapper Yes Special characteristics: i.e. low-level feed, cross conveyer barrier Low-level feed; tray former possible to be integrated (display palletiser) Company Sipa Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number Email Via Caduti del Lavoro n. 3; 31029 Vittorio Veneto (TV) - Italy +39 0438 911511 www.sipa.it Mr Matteo Tagliaferri Marketing and Communication +39 0521 548111 matteo.tagliaferri@zoppas.com Palletising machinery: Genius PTF Genius PTF/V Genius PTF/A Genius PTF - Active Layer Conventional automatic palletisers steady pallet type Conventional automatic palletisers steady pallet type, with double platform Conventional automatic palletisers moving pallet type Conventional automatic palletisers steady pallet type with innovative layer preparation Format changeover time 15min 15min 18min 10min Output rate (packs/min) Up to 330 layers/hour Up to 420 layers/hour Up to 600 layers/hour Up to 330 layers/hour Automatically intergrated:(yes/no) Empty pallet feeding Yes Yes Yes Yes Insertion of interlayers Yes Yes Yes Yes Connectable to shrinkwrapper Yes Yes Yes Yes Special characteristics: i.e. low-level feed, cross conveyer barrier - Operational fl exibility and further reduction in change-over times - Optimisation of cycle to increase performance, with improved control of the different movements using state-of-the-art electronic solutions - Customisation of the gripping system and layer transfer according to the product to handle - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on the market trouble-free, with highly customisable solutions - Operational fl exibility and further reduction in change-over times - Optimisation of cycle to increase performance, with improved control of the different movements using state-of-the-art electronic solutions - Customisation of the gripping system and layer transfer according to the product to handle - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on the market trouble-free, with highly customisable solutions - Linear axes layer preparation with active pack orientation and arrangement"},{"@ID":34
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 32 30 years of Intravis by Alexander Büchler Attending Dr Gerd Fuhrmann’s celebrations of Intravis anniversaries is always worth the effort. We are always taken around every part of his factory while he tells us about latest developments in the sector. While talking, he imparts some general background knowledge. This time, nearly 100 guests made the trip to Rotter Bruch in Aachen, Germany. What do asparagus, sewing needles, CD cases, bottles, preforms and caps all have in common? Dr Gerd Fuhrmann and his company, Intravis, have been developing inspection systems for all these sectors since 1993. His breakthrough in the packaging industry came with an order for 50 AVI-1 systems for the inspection of extrusionblown bottles. Günther Lehner, then CEO of Alpla, personally placed the order with him in 1998. While the AVI-1 managed three bottles per second, the AVI-2 was able to increase this to seven per second just three years later. This was followed in 2005 by the introduction of the SpotWatcher. Over the years, there has been considerable progression in inspection speed that has increased to up to ten bottles per second. Where there’s a bottle, there’s a cap. And so, in 2001, Intravis developed the CapWatcher for the inspection of plastic closures. The inspection criteria at that time already covered the main features of a cap’s quality: an internal and external inspection for contaminations and short shots was just as much a part of it as the inspection of geometric properties, the inspection of tamper-evident bands, colour deviations and even the search and detection of micro-holes. In the meantime, this has become part of an entire portfolio for the most diverse areas of application. What else needed to be checked on a bottle with a cap more than 20 years ago? The label, of course. This led to the introduction of the Ilcon2000, which later was redesigned and then became the LabelWatcher. Today, this has become part of the decoration branch and is accompanied by systems like the IMLWatcher and SleeveWatcher. As well as the blow-moulded bottle, there has been a developing market for stretch-blown PET containers. Exactly 20 years ago, Intravis developed a preform inspector. The name PreformWatcher was perhaps too long for the people in Aachen, so they shortened it from “Preform” to “Pre” and introduced the PreWatcher range. Today with more than 220 employees at the Aachen site, Intravis produces more than 300 systems per year in four buildings covering an area of more than 6,300m2. In addition, a daughter company was established in Atlanta, USA, in 2004 which today employs 20 people. “It wasn’t always like this”, says Gerd Fuhrmann. “In the early days, I would talk to interested parties in the morning, solder circuit boards in the afternoon and order parts in the evening”. The company grew and by 2001 there were already 15 people working in the company. The nucleus in Herzogenrath became too small which meant that a move to Rotter Bruch in Aachen was on the agenda. “We initially rented one floor here. In the early years, production took place where our technical centre is today and our kitchen on the fifth floor used to be the break room where staff ate their lunch which the wife of an employee prepared in advance. It was then that this feeling of a family was ingrained in Intravis’s DNA which still distinguishes us today”, he said. Finally, regarding the familiar slogan “We solve problems. Before they occur”: This has been the official vision for Intravis since 2016, although the company had been working towards this since 1996 when Intravis wrote an article for the German industry magazine “Plastverarbeiter”, describing the vision in terms of a closed control loop. www.intravis.com"},{"@ID":19
"BOTTLE MAKING 18 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Combining technical know-how with customer needs Creating the perfect bottle design As a mould manufacturer, Röders creates its bottle designs from a technical point of view. After almost 50 years of bottle engineering and blow mould manufacturing, the company benefits from a huge experience of what is technically feasible and which details can be recommended to the customer. Regardless of the technical equipment, a detailed design briefing is one key to achieving the design the customers are looking for. These briefings can vary – they can be very short, but already very clear. Or alternatively quite extensive, but confusing. In this article, Röders discusses the essential points needed to speed up the design process, make it as clear as possible for the technicians and most satisfactory for the customer. “Please provide a proposal for a 500 ml slim and elegant water bottle which would be unique in the market“– briefing completed. Röders has received many such requests in the past. So the question is asked: Still or carbonated water? Does “slim“ mean the client has a special diameter in mind? What is the individual understanding of “elegant”? What will be the preform weight for this bottle to take into account volume impact or haptic properties right from the start? Even complicated design elements are developed using state-of-the-art design programmes and technology Other briefings are clearer as customers already know what they need to provide for the engineering team to get a quick drawing. No doubt it is easier to work with already existing ideas in mind. A frequent request is to increase or decrease an existing bottle to a new format, e.g. from 500 to 750 or 1,000 ml. The questions that need to be answered include: Are there fixed requirements such as the main diameter? Is the maximum height important to ensure proper presentation on the shelf later? Is the emphasis on cost saving by retaining customer’s existing preferred options on the line? Marketing department vs. technical team – better together! For sure it is important to have the right people involved in the design phase. Doing a bottle project from a marketing perspective will be very creative, but most likely not feasible on the production line without reducing efficiency. It is therefore very important to get the right knowhow in the individual steps of the design phase. With the experience of more than 100,000 moulds manufactured, Röders always strives to balance the feedback between the different departments to guide the customer to a reliable solution. Set-up of a new blowing process on a 1Blow 1XLab blowing machine Tools for testing new bottle shapes In the laboratory equipped with a state-of-the-art 1Blow test blowing machine, Röders can check the properties of a bottle design in every detail. This offers the possibility, especially in the development phase, of enabling the most costeffective and exact bottle development to achieve a functional bottle. In recent years, testing new moulds with a qualified laboratory report has proven to be increasingly useful for all parties involved. With the certified laboratory equipment, Röders is able to blow bottles with the desired preform weight and resin at short notice and, on the one hand, deliver them to the customer for test marketing purposes, line trials or palletising tests and, on the other hand, carry out all important tests itself. The client benefits from quick results and feasibility reports that show whether or not the design created meets all requirements. Röders is able to blow bottles with the desired preform weight and resin at short notice to deliver them to the customer for test and trial purposes. Röders utilises different tools and modern technology in the various stages of the process, including a 3D printer for bottle mock-ups. These mock-ups can be presented directly to the customer and accurately reflect the final product 1:1. In BOTTLE MAKING"},{"@ID":23
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 34 within the next two years: US$100 bn investments aim to increase recycled content in bottles from 4% to 26% by 2030. Reliance is bullish on rPET developments for its own future growth, and at a faster from now onwards, as investing in recycling is the main part of its strategic growth. Current status of the EU’s trade defence and other border measures Philippe De Baere, managing partner of Van Bael & Bellis, Belgium, then took to the podium, discussing the latest EU measures on trade defence and similar initiatives, with particular regard to the anti-dumping investigation on PET imports from China, which, of course, was of paramount interest to all attendees. De Baere mentioned China as an easy target for the EU, as it is always considered as a distorted economy. He suggested that this investigation is more about protecting big business than the general public. The proposition to include not only virgin PET but also rPET was described by De Baere as ‘strange’. The Commission’s decision on the subject is awaited and meanwhile it is likely that some provisional measures will be applied shortly. This is despite the fact that evidence reveals that the peak of PET Chinese import has already waned, and that it was caused by the exploiting of a logistic advantage. During the Covid years, China only could offer to PET users shipments of materials on break bulk vessels. This opportunistic device, De Baere stated, may ultimately result in European consumers paying more in the future and being more dependent on fewer and perhaps single suppliers when the doors to China are closed. PET market – global overview & rPET analysis Mr Zanchi gave an overview of the current PET market and future trends. China is the largest PTA producer with 70% of global capacity. Most is used internally and a small part (6%) is exported. The Chinese PTA price will therefore remain a reference. PET capacity in China is likely to be in surplus (5 mio tonnes). More than 60% of world PET capacity is located in the country. On the other hand, in Europe, imports are increasing from countries like Vietnam, Turkey and Egypt, but what matters now is current developments in rPET. The collection rate is 62% in the continent with a target of 90% in 2029. The lack of rPET for the coming years (especially 2025) is not as dramatic as foreseen last year, but still there will be need for imports. But at the right price, as Zanchi pointed out. The price of rPET must be lower than virgin PET, and this may happen with higher collection rates, and a reasonable bale price (to support it). And all that must be offered by a reliable supplier of high-quality recycled material. GSI has tested many manufacturers of flakes and rPET around the globe to support its customers in finding the most reliable ones. It follows therefore that rPET demand is directly linked to the development of the PET price in 2024. And the good news, brought exclusively at PET Day 2023 by the Zhejiang Commodity Exchange (the authority which has created the PTA futures market in China), is that next year the PET futures market is scheduled to be inaugurated. This could be a significant instrument for the whole sector, a major step forward toward fixing a transparent price for this important material. With the support of GSI (one of the few non-Chinese companies which can operate into these markets) there will be great opportunities for the main PET buyers. Finally, Zanchi pointed out the things that will impact the price of PET in the coming months: oil comes first, then freight. Freight costs will be maintained at current levels by an undeclared but apparent cartel among shipping companies. Also, EU measures against Chinese material will affect competitiveness in Europe (import from zero duty areas) already hit by high energy costs. Contract purchasing may help optimise the buying process, as well as choosing the right moment to buy and non-European buyers may be able to enjoy low Chinese prices. GSI will be supporting their customers through any of these stages in what will certainly be a buyer’s market. St. Lawrence Foundation Before lunch was taken, Ms Chiara Zanchi showed a short video Paul Hodges, Chairman New Normal Consulting, during his lecture on “The end of business as usual – building the new business models of the future” Hemant D. Sharma, Reliance Francesco Zanchi (r.) in discussion with (f.l.) Hans van Bochove, EU Corporate Advocacy Group, Philippe de Baere, Van Bael & Bellis, and Werner Bosmans, EU Commission"},{"@ID":43
"BOTTLE MAKING 13 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net evaluates PET bottle packaging solutions and technologies, and facilitates understanding of the effects of new PET bottle innovations on recycling processes. Several test procedures can be used to assess the impact on recycling of new packaging technologies. How to use recyclate Sipa says that it has considerable expertise in how to use postconsumer recycled PET in new containers for food and drink. This means not only creating designs that take into account differences and variations in processing characteristics of rPET, but also other less obvious factors such as the increased level of powder that rPET processing creates. The company recently established the Awarpet brand to advance its environmentally conscious approach to the design and production of PET packaging. Awarpet bottles are light: for example, Sipa has been involved in a design project for a 1l water bottle weighing just 16g, far lighter than most 1l bottles currently on the market. It all starts with an idea Any design project starts with a blank piece of paper (or possibly a blank iPad screen). Working with the most basic of briefs, the design experts can create a sophisticated concept, beginning with some finetuning of the original customer idea, moving to renderings and technical drawings, finite element analysis to simulate performance of the container, through to solid mock-ups. These can be produced in a short time using appropriate additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques, before functional prototypes and finally market-ready products can be manufactured. “The customers can share their ideas with the team in complete confidence, since it is all one-on-one, with no external agencies involved. The expression ‘one-stop shop’ may be over-used sometimes, but in this case, it truly is applicable. Everything can be resolved in a seamless, integrated progression towards market success,” says Sipa. The approach in action: successful projects The Italian company has already applied the new packaging design and development service concept to several projects, including one that involved converting a barbeque sauce bottle from glass to hot-fill PET, maintaining the “retro” look of the original; and another for a customer employing the company’s Xtreme rotary injection-compression preform moulding system, for which an in-depth study of the impact on performance of different levels of PCR was assessed. Sipa has worked for a well-known Portuguese luxury mineral water brand to engineer the existing bottle base in order to make it possible to produce this magnificent bottle at high speed on its rotary blowmoulder Xtra while before it was produced on an alternative lower speed system. Label free and lighter Sipa’s design team has demonstrated their dedication to eco-conscious packaging by creating a range of aesthetically pleasing, functional, and environmentally friendly bottles. These bottles are uniquely devoid of labels, emphasising their commitment to recyclability. This approach not only minimises waste but also bestows a clean, sleek appearance, elevating the product’s overall aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, Sipa introduced a lightweight alternative to the standard PCO 1881 with the GME 30.37 neck finish, showcasing their expertise in engineering eco-friendly solutions. This neck finish achieves a 45.5% reduction in weight compared to previous designs while maintaining structural integrity. Importantly, it complies with the SUP Directive (2019/904), ensuring adherence to tethered cap regulations set to become effective by July 2024. The company’s bottle designs not only prioritise sustainability but also adhere to evolving industry standards, exemplifying their commitment to responsible packaging. Withstanding high pressure: La Spumante La Spumante is claimed to be the world’s first PET bottle designed exclusively for sparkling wine. Its unbreakable, lightweight design enhances safety, making it suitable for diverse events and venues, from concerts to airlines. The bottle’s commitment to sustainability, crafted entirely from PET or potentially rPET, significantly reduces its environmental footprint and seamlessly integrates with traditional bottling processes. Sipa says that La Spumante’s engineering withstands high pressures, preserving the effervescence and taste of sparkling wine. Moreover, the decrease of 80% in bottle weight compared to glass counterpart, leads to more efficient transportation, reducing costs and carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals. It has won multiple prices around the world. www.sipasolutions.com The label free approach not only minimises waste but also bestows a clean, sleek bottle appearance."},{"@ID":28
"36 TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net TRADE SHOWreview Fakuma Review 1,636 exhibitors from almost 40 countries filled the twelve Fakuma exhibition halls this October. 44 per cent of the exhibitors came from abroad, most of them from companies in Italy, followed by China, Switzerland, Austria, Türkiye and France. After a modest start to the first day of the trade show, a total of 39,343 trade visitors (2021: 29.543 visitors) filled the exhibition halls to find out about topics such as digitalisation, automation, flexibility, energy efficiency and sustainability. Many companies dealt with the establishment of closed material cycles, the optimisation of products for recycling and the preparation of recycled material for high-quality applications. These new technologies address the current challenges of resource conservation and net-zero emissions. Traditionally, the large injection moulding machines were eye-catchers and real crowd pullers. Many sustainable solution ideas for packaging and recycling compounds were also on display. Among other things, machines for grinding and shredding were also represented at the show, as were modern cooling systems and energy-efficient mould temperature control technology, systems for process monitoring and data acquisition, and developments from the field of industrial 3D printing. The increasing use of circular raw materials instead of fossil raw materials was also a topic in many places at the show. The next Fakuma will be held in Friedrichshafen from October 15 to 19, 2024. www.fakuma-messe.de Additives and colourants for a wide range of applications Repi had come with the full range of additives and colourants for a wide variety of polymers, used in many different markets. At their booth, the company presented samples of applications that can be coloured by using their portfolio: PVC profiles, PMMA and PC sheets, as well as HDPE, PP and PVC injection moulded parts, plus PET bottles and thermoformed trays. A clear focus was placed on the “Novosystem”, this is how Repi calls its basic colour concept: starting from a few basic colours, it has given the user the chance to formulate any given shades according to their needs. Not only shade development is quick and delivered straight to the user, but the quantity produced can also be amended according to the production run and in order to avoid residues and unused quantities. The company provides its expertise and a proprietary software with a comprehensive formulation database built on years of lab developments, that enable the users to build their own formulation library and therefore become independent in the formulation of shades. This represents a huge advantage for those industries requiring the constant development of new shades even for small production campaigns. Success cases can be found in the ABS and PVC profile production, as well as in injection moulding processes for the production of many plastic components. In order to complete the offer, dosing equipment is available that is claimed to offer precision in dosing and full traceability of the dosing history. Pumps of different sizes are available, depending on the speed of the user’s machine and the amount of colour to be dosed. At Fakuma, Repi aimed at companies that operate in “conventional” plastics, offering the added value represented by liquid colour technology: a combination of flexibility, efficiency, performance and versatility. www.repi.com PROCESS PILOT+TM Optimize Blowmolder Performance and Profitability with Automated, Closed-Loop Control +1.724.482.2163 agrintl.com Maximize rPET usability and processing Improve bottle performance and downstream operations Maintain lightweight, targeted material distribution Increase consistent production yield Overcome environmental and process variation Reduce scrap with accelerated start-up"},{"@ID":16
"BOTTLE MAKING 14 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 0/23 www.petpla.net Fully recycled by Ruari McCallion The Finnish company Pramia Plastic Oy manufactures rPET granulate, from which its parent company Pramia Oy manufactures its entire range of bottles without using any additives. The exclusive use of rPET reflects Pramia Oy’s commitment to environmental sustainability, which was recognised in 2012, the same year it acquired the company that became Pramia Plastic Oy, with the World’s Most Sustainable Beverage Manufacturer award. A family affair Pramia Oy itself was founded in 1990 by members of the Mäkinen family, who still own and manage it. Initially, the company focused on malt drinks, including low-alcohol “home beer”, a popular choice with meals at home. After Finland joined the EU in 1995, Pramia expanded its range to include the production of spirits, such as vodka. As in all Nordic countries except Denmark, the retail sale of alcoholic beverages is through a state monopoly company. Alko, the Finnish monopoly, is the only retail chain in the country that sells beer with ABV of 5.5% or more, wine (other than direct sales by vineyards) and spirits. In 2017, its annual revenue exceeded €1.1 billion. By law, it must also offer lower ABV and nonalcoholic beverages. “Alko asked Pramia to produce lightly carbonated beverages for sale under its own brand, and mocktails were added soon after,” says Marko Mäkinen, founder and CEO of Pramia Oy and Pramia Plastic Oy. “The company has a small share of the Finnish alcoholic beverage market but, in some lines, such as cream liqueurs, our presence is much stronger.” Market Pramia Oy’s market is almost entirely in Finland; it does not export any of its beverage products, although it supplies to duty-free shops on ferries and ships in the Baltic Sea. However, Pramia Plastic Oy sells rPET and PET strap to several European countries. It buys consumer PET bottles and processes an average of one million of them a day at its Toholampi plant into flakes and plastic granules. It also produces 50 million metres of green packaging strap a year from coloured rPET. The plant runs entirely on wind energy. At first, Pramia Oy packed its products in glass bottles but switched to PET in the early 2000s. It began to investigate recycled PET in 2010. In 2012, the opportunity arose to buy out of bankruptcy a company that already had granulation and washing lines. A strap production line was added, Pramia Plastic Oy was founded and Pramia Oy started using rPET in the same year. BOTTLE MAKING"},{"@ID":13
"BOTTLE MAKING 11 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 Plastic is here to stay. But innovation is making plastic packaging reusable while prioritising affordability for consumers. At the same time, companies will need to communicate their efforts well to consumers, where packaging is the main medium. As consumers trust in “recyclable” product claims, businesses must ensure to educate consumers while being transparent about their supply chains. www.euromonitor.com Source: Euromonitor International Voice of the Industry: Sustainability Survey 2023"},{"@ID":40
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 38 Energy efficiency drives development Moretto showcased over 40 plastic processing machines on their 230m² stand at Fakuma. In addition to their developments around conveying, drying, dosing, grinding, cooling and storing, the Italian company’s focus at the event was on energy efficiency, digitalising processes and services. In manufacturing industry, electricity expenses rank among the highest costs. Implementing solutions that reduce these costs is crucial for gaining a competitive edge. Moretto’s OTX hopper is the result of complex mathematical simulations that allows the analysis of the geometry, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and material flow of the plastic granule. These have been done with the support of the Bologna-based petascale super computer Leonardo, a computer capable of 22 trillion operations per second. OTX is claimed to ensure a regular material flow, guaranteeing correct drying of each individual granule being processed. In addition, process optimisation has reduced hopper size, technological airflow, and treatment time by 40%, resulting in a remarkable 66% improvement in energy efficiency. OTX comprises seven patented technologies for comprehensive control of all operational parameters. Human-machine relationship & digitalisation Moretto has shifted its business model to invest in the Human-Machine relationship, paving the way for ‘Industry 5.0’. This transition emphasises simplifying interactions between humans and machines, enhancing user skills, and improving operational efficiency through technology. Alongside human-centric approaches, Moretto’s strategy focuses on digitalising processes and services. The company’s global commitment to after-sales service includes trained technicians, specialists, and the use of automated warehouses, management software, and online platforms. Part of the process of digital evolution and service improvement is a QR code project, which aims to provide customers with useful information by supporting them from the first stages of their purchase. Its functioning is simple and intuitive: using the mobile phone and framing the QR code on the machine, the user can access a series of services with high added value, such as useful information on the machine, tutorial videos, the possibility to request the list of recommended spare parts and much more. Dehumidification & dosing Dehumidification is one of Moretto’s strategic segments. Small details can often determine the success of a dehumidification process, where even a small amount of no-dried polymer can compromise the quality of the final moulding. Moisture Meter was created with the intention of eliminating this problem. It instantly detects the percentage of residual moisture in dried polymer, allowing operators to take corrective actions if needed. Different versions are available depending on the type of installation and the hourly throughput of the polymer to be treated. Another process that requires great precision to obtain a technical and aesthetic quality product is dosing. Moretto offers a wide range of blenders, including the DGM Gravix 20, the new gravimetric batch dosing unit developed specifically for highprecision dosing of small percentages of material. The 20 series is based on the Gravix series, but with a renewed design that improves granule flow. Configurable through an easy touch view and equipped with Modbus RS485, USB and Ethernet connections, it maintains the technical features that have distinguished the Gravix line. Storage solutions Raw material procurement is a crucial step in plastics processing, which is why storage solutions played a prominent role on the Fakuma stand. Oktobag is claimed to meet the requirements of processors who want an automatic system for emptying octabins and big bags. The bag is attached by means of four gravity grippers which, with a wave-like movement, bring the plastic granule to the centre where a suction probe will take it. www.moretto.com OTX hopper"},{"@ID":3
"No.11 2023 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 13 . 11 . 23 MAGAZ I NE FOR BOT T L E R S AND BOT T L E - MAK E R S IN THE AMER ICAS, AS IA, EUROPE AND AL L AROUND THE PLANET PETplanet is read in 159 countries MARKETsurvey Suppliers of palletising & shrink film machinery Page 23 BOTTLE MAKING Page 27 Page 10"},{"@ID":37
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 35 TRADE SHOW REVIEW taken in Makeni, a small community in Sierra Leone where the Zanchi family and GSI have been engaged for many years in the development and the improvement of the conditions of life of the local people. This huge commitment has yielded important results both in the agricultural and the chicken breeding field through SBD (Social Business Development), the local company created with the direct support of GSI’s St. Lawrence Foundation. The moving story of a local young employee of SBD who related how much his and his family’s life changed by this initiative of the Zanchi family, was presented to reaffirm the importance of continuing to support the St. Lawrence Foundation. The SBD channels donations, with the support of GSI, direct to the Sierra Leone community helping to create self-sustainability in one of the poorest areas of the world. Drivers of a sustainable packaging industry The afternoon session was opened by Hans van Bochove, of EU Corporate Advocacy Group, formerly at Coca-Cola, who discussed the drivers of a sustainable packaging industry. The importance of producers to understand customer concerns about packaging is often underrated, he said. Big investors are focusing much more today on sustainability, as are policy makers. By 2040, it has to be considered that the collection rate has to get up to 90%, with 65% of recycled content in bottles. He finally urged producers to think hard on their role in the decision, to be taken shortly, on whose responsibility it is to recycle the bottle. Are we running in circles? Following van Bochove, representatives and managers of the various sectors of the PET industries gave their views on the current topics on PET collection and related issues. For PET producers, Sharma of Reliance expressed their willingness to take responsibility in India for recollection of their bottles. Hikoji Kosaka of Toyotsu PET Recycling Systems, Japan, stated that his country is close to 100% collection rate, and that is done also through vending machines in cities. PET converters opinion was brought up by Oliver Wiegand, PET Verpackungen, Germany, who indicated that the mandatory deposit scheme for beverages is working very well in Germany. Luciano Geronimi, Valgroup, Brazil, introduced his large group of companies based in South America and Europe and its efforts in recycling which dates back to the 1980s. Zanchi at this point interjected, remarking how converters are working more and more in investing in the use of rPET. The opinion of the bottlers varied. Coert Michielsen of Refresco Group, stressed the point that it is necessary to use more positive communication on PET packaging, as customers are not showing a preference for it in comparison to glass, for example. Kurt Peelman of Coca-Cola said that the company takes full responsibility for reducing littering: it has made strong commitments to design for recycling since 2018. In 2030, the company aims to recollect 100% of their own bottles, and develop more and more in refilling, too. Tullio Versace, San Benedetto, Italy, said his group was one of the first in Europe to invest in recycling: his worries going forward were related to the price of rPET, its availability and, most of all, quality or products available. He would prefer to push for a bottle-to-bottle recycling policy in Europe, excluding fibre makers - a sensitive issue which caused some opposition in the audience from some fibre producers. Werner Bosmans of the EU Commission then came to the podium to defend the measures taken on plastics, necessary for consumer awareness. He said that the EU supports a flourishing European recycling industry. Following notes made by Zanchi previously at the event, Bosmans confirmed that the use of recycled material will be tightly controlled and cheaters will be severely prosecuted. Philippe de Baere again took to the podium to push EU commissioners to move towards more support and incentives on rPET instead of influencing the market through import restrictions and market regulations which are driving ‘unnaturally’ all material prices, rPET included. Francesco Zanchi addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for everyone’s participation and the valuable insights shared. This demonstrates the industry’s commitment to creating a better world, he said, despite the ongoing challenges affecting people’s daily lives and activities. GSI looks forward to 2024 and congratulated the PET industry which is seen as striving, improving in strength with the conviction of being on the right path to sustainability. www.gsiplastic.com Philippe De Baere, Managing Partner at Van Bael & Bellis The “bottlers” round table (f.l.): Coert Michielsen, Refresco Group, Kurt Peelman, The Coca-Cola Company, Tullio Versace, San Benedetto with Francesco Zanchi"},{"@ID":48
"PETpatents www.verpackungspatente.de PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 46 A flattened bottle International Patent No. WO 2021 / 249798 A1 Applicant: Sidel Participations, Octeville-Sur-Mer (FR) Registration date: 31.5.2021 A lightweight 330ml PET bottle that has been flattened out in the side wall area to prevent unwanted rotation of the bottle. Improved light transmission International Patent No. WO 2021 / 260463 A1 Applicant: Colormatrix Holdings Inc., Wilmington (US) Registration date: 3.6.2021 A preform made from PET/COC with improved light transmission and colour distribution in the thread area. The container will no longer appear “darker” in the closure area. A plastic bottle International Patent No. WO 2023 / 074084 A1 Applicant: Yoshino Kogyosho Co. Ltd., Tokyo (JP) Registration date: 9.8.2022 A plastic bottle with oblique and reinforcing grooves. A coated bottle International Patent No. WO 2023 / 095409 A1 Applicant: Toyo Seikan Co. Ltd., Tokyo (JP) Registration date: 1.9.2022 The outside of the bottle has a coated/material layer which changes the container’s friction coefficient. A flexible bottom base International Patent No. WO 2023 / 101869 A1 Applicant: Pepsico Inc., Purchase (US) Registration date: 22.11.2022 This application refers to the placing of a flexible bottle cap on the base of a thin-walled, hot-filled container to mask the deformation that occurs during cooling, e.g. to reduce the wall thickness of the bottom area of the bottle while maintaining its structural integrity. A bottle made from recycled material International Patent No. WO 2023 / 113838 A1 Applicant: Amcor Rigid Packaging USA LLC., Ann Arbor (US) Registration date: 15.12.2021 A bottle-like PET container with 35% recycled content with a modified bottom shape and grooves."},{"@ID":6
"PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 11/2023 Page 36 BOTTLE MAKING 10 Sustainability trend in beverages shaping the future of PET bottles 12 From concept to finished bottle - A holistic approach to packaging design and development 14 Fully recycled 16 Keeping rPET milk bottles white - PDG Plastiques launches white rPET milk bottles and lighter large containers 18 Creating the perfect bottle design - Combining technical know-how with customer needs 20 Bottle design for sustainability - An ‘on-field’ approach by Sacmi MARKET SURVEY 23 Suppliers of palletising & shrink film machinery TRADE SHOW PREVIEW 27 Trend-setting Clip Aside tethered caps 28 Waving the flag for PET innovation and circularity TRADE SHOW REVIEW 30 Review PETinar – EU Directives: Are you fit for 2024? 32 30 years of Intravis 33 21st GSI PET Day 2023 36 Fakuma review 38 Energy efficiency drives development BUYER’S GUIDE 40 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 39 Products 46 Patents Page 12 Page 28"},{"@ID":4
"9 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Wemaximize your added value With Netstal’s leading preform injection molding technology. Our PET-Line impresses with broadest compatibility, maximum ĕĉēĐĖĈĉđĖĕ ĆęĄĆđĕĊĐďĂč ĆďĆēĈĚ ĆħĄĊĆďĄĚ ĐđĕĊĎĂč đēĐĄĆĔĔĊďĈ of rPET and other challenging recyclates, and with its intuitive Axos control unit. Preforms"},{"@ID":17
"BOTTLE MAKING 15 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 0/23 www.petpla.net Quality materials Marko is proud of the quality of Pramia Plastic’s materials, which means that he does not need to use additives to make clear plastic bottles from rPET. “Pramia does not have its own system for bottle recovery; we buy them from two separate recycling companies in Finland, both of which use reverse vending machines. Consumers receive between 10 and 40 cents for a returned bottle, which is funded by breweries. They collect and bale the returned bottles, and Pramia Plastic collects them,” he said. “The quality of our recovered bottles is world-class, which means that we can produce rPET packaging in quantities that are not possible in other countries. We have also invested in the world’s best reprocessing equipment and, in some cases, modified it to suit our needs.” Pramia Plastic is responsible for all recycling and production processes, including flakeing, granulation and sorting; rPET production up to moulds and blown bottles is handled by Pramia Oy for its own use. It makes ten different bottles, ranging in size from 187ml to 1 l, both round and oval. The largest single product line is 35 cl oval bottles, with 75 cl sparkling wine bottles in second place. Beer and wine bottles are made with a barrier in them, but otherwise the bottles are the same for alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Overcoming challenges Although Pramia’s market share in Finland is relatively small, it has a major impact. The development of Pramia Plastic has not always been without problems; in fact, Marko says that the first seven years of its existence were quite difficult. Then, quite quickly, the market changed; rPET was approved, demand increased sharply and it found that customers made offers against each other for the product. In Finland, about 96 per cent of bottles are now recycled. According to Marko Mäkinen, Pramia’s success is due to investments, hard work (of course) and, especially, the personnel. “I’ve had to take sick leave lately, but when a company has good employees and processes in place, it can handle it,” he said. Pramia’s focus on recycling and quality has been recognised with several awards. Pramia Plastic received the National Entrepreneur Award of the Federation of Central Ostrobothnia Enterprises in 2022. The latest gem in Pramia Plastic Oy’s crown came on October 7, 2023, when it received the national entrepreneur award from Fennia and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises at the National Entrepreneur Day in Pori. Marko considers it one of the highlights of his career. “The National Entrepreneur Award feels very good – first and foremost because it is awarded by other entrepreneurs,” he said. www.pramiaplastic.fi 16th INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOW FOR PLASTICS & RECYCLING, PETROCHEMICALS, PACKAGING & RUBBER INDUSTRY Platinum Sponsor www.arabplast.info International Associate India Associate Organiser 750+ Exhibitors 35+ Countries 13-15 DECEMBER, 2023 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE #ARABPLAST #arabplast2023 Where Plastic Meets Business Media Partners Industry Communication & Show Daily Partner Onsite Registration Partner Principal Sponsor"},{"@ID":21
"BOTTLE MAKING 19 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net addition, the company uses stateof-the-art computer design programmes to develop even complicated design elements precisely and reliably. Through this process, the customer benefits not only from the exact results in the calculation of the bottle shapes, but also from detailed dimensions on drawings and special views of the prototypes, which are often used for advertising purposes due to their high quality. Röder’s checklist to ensure a swift design process: Bottle size = required fill-level volume and required headspace Product to be filled CO2-level or use of nitrogen during the filling process Name of the bottle/project Preform neck finish + estimated weight, if available: preform drawing Requirements for bottle dimensions such as main diameter, total height, label area dimensions to meet existing customer preferred options Labelling: Sleeve or standard label etc. Base design: Petaloid, 6-feet, Champagne base, Star base, a reference type from an existing project or any other requirements – please let us know what you prefer Other details to share www.roeders.de About Röders: Founded 200 years ago as a pewter casting handcraft shop, family owned in the 6th generation Blow mould manufacturer since 1975, manufacturer of high speed milling machines since beginning of the 1990s 400 employees in Germany, located in the city of Soltau (between Hamburg and Hanover) Independent mould supplier with own design + mould engineering departments Moulds are made on in-house developed Röders milling machine centres – always with the latest software and conceived for high-speed manufacturing Engineering know-how for moulds for Krones, Sidel, KHS, Sipa, Kosme and many more Own laboratory equipped with a new state-of-the-art test blowing machine as well as certified testing equipment to measure the quality of blown PET bottles Essential for the bottle design process (f.l.t.r.): 3D-printer, section weight measurement and volume check 2023 Training Schedule Technology&Application of PET Plastic Packaging for Hot-Fill &Aseptic Beverages Join our expert team for small group training on a variety of subjects - frommaterials to recycling. Scan to learn more & register for classes! ©2023 Plastic Technologies | 1440 Timberwolf Drive, Holland, Ohio USA 43528 www.pti-usa.com info@pti-usa.com info@pti-europe.com"},{"@ID":44
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 30 Review PETinar – EU Directives: Are you fit for 2024? by Ruari McCallion A lot of legislation has been recently implemented or is about to become law, from the Tethered Caps Directive to recycling requirements and the circular economy. The EU has set ambitious targets for use of water resources, end of life criteria and waste management but many EU member states are not on track to meet various environmental targets, according to a report published in June 2023. PETINAR We were privileged to hear from Dr Wolfgang Trunk (PhD), Team Leader with the EU’s Directorate General for the Environment – Circular Economy – Unit B3: From Waste to Resources, and Sjoerd van Laar, Product Manager, Full Container Inspection, at Heuft Systemtechnik. The PETinar was moderated by Ruari McCallion, Editor at PETplanet, who opened with comments on background and context, and welcomed the two speakers. Dr Trunk addressed waste and packaging legislation and highlighted in particular the inefficiencies in the EU’s current approach, which had been revealed in the Early Warning Report published in June 2023. He said that the findings are another incentive for new packaging laws that are meaningful, efficient, ambitious and will represent a change in the current situation. New and revised regulations His presentation focused on two key pieces of EU legislation concerning PET circularity: the proposed revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), details of which were published in November 2022; and the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD - EU 2019/904), which came into force in July 2021. He compared the actual volumes of recycled packaging waste in 2018 (51.7 million tonnes) with those proposed for 2030 (54 million tonnes). He stressed that, under the new Regulation, there will still be a need to invest in further recycling capacities, particularly in plastics, from just under 10 to a over 12mt. Targets and EPR Recycled content (RC) in PETbased food contact material, including plastic beverage bottles, must have 30% recycled content from 2030, and 10% in other contact-sensitive plastic packaging. Non-sensitive plastic packaging should include 35% recycled content from 2030, with increased inclusion rates for 2040. There are several exemptions, particularly in medical and pharmaceutical areas, and review clauses for the Commission to consider. The new approach to ensure recyclability by 2030 is quite detailed, with design for recycling criteria from outset and, subsequently, driving to ensure at-scale recycling. The onus to prove compliance with RC and recyclability requirements is on the operator or producer; EPR (extended producer responsibility) fees modulation rules are based on recyclability performance grade and recycled content for plastic packaging. Capacity In the case of PET alone, Dr Trunk said that meeting these RC targets will require an estimated additional 950,000t recycling capacity by 2030 and 2,330,000t by 2040, over and above existing capacity, across contact sensitive, non-contact sensitive and beverage bottle segments. Beverage bottles alone will require additional 670,000t by 2030 and 1,470,000t ten years later. The Commission retains general powers to vary requirements in the case of problems with availability, prices, or adverse effects on health, security of food supply or the environment. PET bottles account for round 97% of SUP beverage bottles and are generally recycled mechanically. Non-PET plastic bottles may require chemical recycling; the Commission will develop an implementing act for methodology and verification, which might include chain of custody models. Enforcement These sustainability requirements at product level are enforced at member state level via their market surveillance authorities. Heuft Systemtechnik Sjoerd van Laar, Product Manager, Full Bottle Inspection, Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH, addressed the impact on closure inspection systems of implementation of tethered caps. Heuft, which was founded in 1979, is based in Burgbrohl, between Koblenz and Bonn in Germany. It has around 1,200 employees and operates from 18 locations around the world. It now makes inspection systems for food and pharma companies, as well as beverage manufacturers and bottlers. Heuft systems cover the process from returned crate and empty bottle inspection and the beginning of the line, during filling and closing, labelling and final inspection. Van Laar’s focus in his presentation was on inspection at filling and closing in particular. Dr Wolfgang Trunk, European Commission, DG Environment Sjoerd van Laar, Product Manager Full Container Inspection at Heuft Systemtechnik"},{"@ID":2
""},{"@ID":8
"PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Valgroup expands its operations in the Italian PET preform market with the acquisition of Garda Plast Group Valgroup, producer, transformer and recycler of plastic packaging, announces the acquisition of Garda Plast Group (GP Group), formed through the aggregat ion – led by Progressio SGR – between Garda Plast S.p.A., based in Polpenazze del Garda (BS), and Ifap S.p.A., based in Palmanova (UD). GP Group is specialised in the production of PET and rPET preforms. This business expansion consolidates the company’s presence in Italy, strengthening relations with suppliers and enabling it to support regional customers more comprehensively. The two new plants acquired by Valgroup in Italy are in addition to five other PET preform manufacturing units: one in San Jose, Uruguay, another three in Brazil, in the cities of Duque de Caxias (RJ), Ipojuca (PE) and Betim (MG), as well as the unit located in Villa Lempa, Italy, acquired at the end of 2022. www.valgroupco.com Alpla becomes the majority owner of Paboco The Danish joint v en t u r e Pabo c o develops and produces fibre-based packaging solutions using pulp-forming t echno l ogy. The company, based in Slangerup, Denmark, was founded in 2019 by Alpla and Billerud. By taking over all of Billerud’s shares and investing in Paboco, packaging and recycling specialist Alpla, as majority shareholder, is pushing the rapid industrialisation of fully recyclable paper bottles made from FSC-certified fibres. From the end of 2024, Paboco plans to produce a fully recyclable paper bottle at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Denmark. Since 2021, Paboco has been testing the first products on the market together with the Paboco Pioneer Community members: The Absolut Company, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble. After the successful test phase, volume production of the next generation of recyclable paper bottles is scheduled to start at the end of 2024. www.alpla.com Penn Color receives a joint recyclability approval from RecyClass and EPBP Recyclass and EPBP announced that latest independent testing proves Penn Color’s ‘66UV11964’ UV blocker as compatible with the clear transparent and coloured PET bottle recycling streams in Europe. UV light exposure can induce the degradation of specific vitamins, flavours, colourants, and additives, resulting in diminished potency and a shortened shelf life. Penn Color’s ‘66UV11964” UV blocker can be used in PET bottles to safeguard UV-sensitive contents against photodegradation when exposed to direct light, thereby protecting essential product characteristics like aroma, flavour, and colour. Recyclability evaluation was carried out to ensure that the additive does not cause yellowing on the PET matrix during the recycling process. Trials were carried out at Plastic Forming Enterprises (PFE) following the Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PET bottles from EPBP, and results show that no significant deviations were observed on the quality of the produced recyclates. The stated approval is valid under the condition that the concentration of the UV stabiliser does not exceed 0.6 wt% in a PET bottle. Following this process, Penn Color’s technology will be integrated within the Recyclass Online Tool and will also be considered within the scope of Recyclass Recyclability Certifications for plastic packaging. In general, the use of additives in the PET stream has caused issues for recycling due to the subsequent yellowing of the final recycled materials. Penn Color asserts that this approval demonstrates how innovation can help reduce or prevent adverse impacts on recyclates, thus moving the industry closer to a circular plastic future. www.penncolor.com IMPROVEYOUR PRODUCTIVITY CONTACTUS TODAY! info@moldmasters.com www.moldmasters.com Featuring ✓ High-performance 2-stage hot runner system. ✓ Enhance preform quality and productivity. ✓ Lower injection pressures to allow for faster cycle times and lightweighting."},{"@ID":49
"1 The worldwide round trip with The Middle East Roadshow PET world in the Middle East In a spectacular project taking us well into 2024, we will be travelling in a wide variety of ways to various countries and regions of the Middle East with different mobile editors. There we will interview machine manufacturers, the supply industry, bottle and beverage producers, as well as PET recyclers and everyone involved in the process chain. What market-specific trends are there now or will arise in the future? What developments and technologies are in vogue on the consumer and plant construction site in some of the hottest regions of the world? What special requirements are there? What role do topics such as food safety, shelf life and sustainability play in PET packaging and how are companies preparing themselves for the coming years? This, and much more we will be discussing face-to-face with all the key players and then our results will be presented to you in a series of must-read reports in PETplanet Insider. Please join on this enchanting voyage to the world of PET in the Middle East. We look forward to welcoming you on board! Our previous Road Shows at a glance 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015- 2016-2017-2018-2019-2020-2022 Interested in being visited? barton@petpla.net Autumn 2023 - 2024 EDITOUR - THE MIDDLE EAST ROADSHOW 6 countries numerous interviews with PET companies Sponsors to date Editours"},{"@ID":35
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 33 TRADE SHOW REVIEW 21st GSI PET Day 2023 The Villa Medici near Florence, Italy, is in the polyester world primarily known for the annual PET Days held there, organised by GSI for 21 years now. After a pandemic-induced shift to a digital format, customers and suppliers, top managers and purchasers, polyester experts, and economists were able to meet in person again this September, just in time to celebrate GSI’s 30th anniversary. Mr Francesco Zanchi, CEO of GSI, was very touched when he opened the day, stressing how pleased he was to feel once again the presence of many business partners - especially since this year’s event marked the 30th anniversary of the company he founded in 1993. On the occasion of this anniversary, he introduced his entire team of employees, as well as some of the newcomers to GSI, as with them the company’s workforce reached the “magic” number of 30 just in time for this celebration. Mr Zanchi welcomed the selected audience, who received the prestigious invitation – this year 116 attendees from almost 30 countries – underlining the difficulties that the industry is facing, but also claiming that those same difficulties can be transformed into opportunities. The end of ‘business as usual’ The first lecture was presented by a PET Day`s “regular”: Paul Hodges, of New Normal Consulting. He began by underlining the great shifts which are moving demand patterns: First, from global to local is becoming the trend, and it requires a reshaping of the supply chains, a refocusing of fiscal policies, and employing renewable energy. This marks the end of the ‘business as usual’ approach as predicted few years ago, he stated. China, he said, is central to this change: The Chinese were forced to make significant changes to their policies; it can no longer afford to repeat what was done in the past; that will no longer work today. Risks are multiplying, corporate earnings are falling, the world of plastic is in overcapacity, and the once booming real estate sector is in crisis. All these factors are bringing higher volatility globally. It is now increasingly urgent to move, in China and elsewhere, to a ‘replacement economy’, Paul Hodges pointed out. As populations are getting older, particularly in the West, or having less money available to spend on consumer goods, we cannot continue to produce, sell and throw away, he said. There must be a product life cycle. The major economies have to renew, recycle, and reduce carbon emissions, in the energy sector, as every other manufacturing sector. Covid, inflation, the grain crisis, the war in Ukraine, these ‘four horsemen’ as Hodges put it in his presentation in 2022, are still around, and driving us into a corner. He stated, the people working in the plastic industry must move swiftly and immediately find, together, a form of agreement, globally and locally, on how to dramatically accelerate all plastic waste recovery. The picture is hard to digest, but the speech ended in the positive assessment that, historically, mankind has a strong instinct to adapt and find unexpected strengths to get through the toughest and direst of times. Slow-down in global economy Mr Hemant Sharma, Reliance, reviewed the impact on trade in the world economy and particularly on the polyester chain in a second presentation. After the recovery seen in the post-Covid year, there is a general slow-down impacting the industry in 2023. There are no new investments foreseen in PX, there is a great overcapacity in PTA which is still growing, thanks to new technologies. But on the other hand, Sharma said, we are focusing on recycling as the priority for the global polyester industry. PET is the most recycled material, both in India and elsewhere. The situation in the Asian subcontinent is definitely improving and very quickly. New recycling capacities will be in place The GSI team members on stage Mr Francesco Zanchi, CEO of GSI, opening the 21st PET Day"},{"@ID":39
"37 TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Sorting, dedusting, conveying and controlling in one platform Under the motto “Economy meets Ecology” Sesotec demonstrated how intelligent technologies and sustainable business go hand in hand. The highlight of the trade booth was the premiere of the Pre-Sort sorting platform. This platform is claimed to represent a considerable advance in the plastics and recycling industry and promises to redefine precision, efficiency and sustainability in the industry. With the new development, the components Varisort Compact sorter, dedusting, material conveying and central control are combined on one platform. Depending on the requirements, plastic regrinds can be sorted according to colours, shapes, metal types or plastic types. Thanks to the platform’s mobile base, it can be used wherever it is needed. The added value for customers is that Pre-Sort enables control over the quality of incoming material and makes themmore independent of external suppliers. Thanks to sensor technology that can be combined in any way and the possibility of selecting the most diverse sorting processes depending on the material composition, the platform is claimed to offer full process flexibility. Proven metal separators and new features Other established devices and systems from Sesotec included the Flake Scan material analysis system, the GF metal detector, the Re-Sort metal separation unit, the Rapid Vario metal separator with rotating separation unit and the Protector metal separator for extruders, injection moulding and blowmoulding machines. For the Protector, Sesotec presented the socalled “Monitoring Package” - an optional sensor unit, which is placed directly on the protector, monitors moisture, temperature and colour deviations or fluctuations of the material passing through. Information on parameter deviations is passed on to a higher-level system, processes can be adjusted to ensure high quality of the end products. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software solutions Sesotec has expanded itsAI expertise in the areas of service and maintenance. The new service solutions, which are claimed to increase the efficiency, productivity and connectivity of plastics plants in production, processing and recycling, were also shown at the booth. Manufacturers and processors of plastics are faced with high quality requirements and increasingly complex processes. To meet these requirements, Sesotec offers the Insight.Web visualisation software. The browser-based platform is a customer-oriented Smart Data Management. At a glance and through intuitive customisation, device performance, upcoming maintenance or potentials for process optimisation as well as important changes and warnings can be easily and clearly displayed. www.sesotec.com Effective protection of sensitive goods in transparent bottles As a manufacturer of masterbatches, colour pastes, pigment preparations and liquid colourants for the plastics processing industry, Finke, with more than 70 years of experience, assists customers from design to production stage. At the show, the company focused on rapid time-to-market, showcasing UL94 all-colour certified Fibaplast masterbatches for electrical and electronic applications and also introduced new products like Fibatec and Fibratec, emphasising circularity and sustainability through a “Greenhouse Gas Protocol” greenhouse gas balance. Fibatec is a new uncoloured additive batch series focused on function, Finke is currently developing based on various carriers. One example are the Fibatec UVA batches that impart plastics products with an inherent UV-protection. Using Fibatec UVA, clear and uncoloured plastic bottles for foodstuff and cosmetic applications can be produced that fulfil important design-forrecycling requirements. Conventionally, protection of sensitive goods from light and UV exposure is achieved by opaque or dark colouring of the packaging, which can, however, be an obstacle to recycling. With the colourless UVA series protection of sensitive contents is ensured by special UV absorbers and the packaging does not require any additional colouring. The UVA additive batches are free of benzotriazoles, PAAs, PAHs and contain neither CMR substances nor SVHC. Depending on the UV absorber used, they offer reliable protection in the near UV range up to 380nm or 395nm. The company’s UVA additive batches comply with the regulations for plastic materials that come into contact with foodstuffs in the EU, the USA and in China. They are approved for packaging and registered for Reach as well as the respective inventories in the USA and China. The UVA additive batches are also available based on bottle-grade PET and rPET carrier. Since the PET is post-crystallised, the Fibatec masterbatches can be processed easily on all common equipment and are particularly suitable for single- and two-stage injection stretch blow moulding. Colour masterbatches from Finke’s Fibrarec series exclusively rely on recyclate-based carriers, which enables the production of attractive colourful plastic products made from 100% recyclate. All masterbatches from the Fibrarec series are based on either post-consumer recyclates (PCR) or post-industrial recyclates (PIR). Fibrarec colour masterbatches are available for common packaging polymers and can be processed like masterbatches based on virgin material, also making them a convenient drop-in solution. www.fi nke-colors.eu The uncoloured additive batches of the new Fibatec UVA series are claimed to offer reliable UV protection for sensitive goods."},{"@ID":18
"BOTTLE MAKING 16 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net PDG Plastiques launches white rPET milk bottles and lighter large containers Keeping rPET milk bottles white Over the past 30 years, PET converter PDG Plastiques has built a reputation for its proficiency in PET preforms, bottles, and containers. The company, which is located south of Paris and has a subsidiary plant in Algeria, is active in the dairy industry and has particular expertise in barrier technologies as well as small and very large and complex preforms. In 2022, PDG launched PET bottle made of 50 per cent and 100 per cent rPET recovered from used opaque bottles, including milk bottles. It has built on this experience and, this year, has developed milk bottles with 25 to 30 per cent rPET, derived entirely from dairy bottles. It has developed a method of ensuring that the bottle retains its bright, white appearance but without the use of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) colouring. Recycled dairy resin is grey usually requires a lot of colouring to make it white. PDG says that TiO2 is not an environmentallyfriendly solution and outcomes are variable. The company’s Prelactia solution uses an overmoulding technology to produce a bottle with a barrier layer and a white outer layer. The black inner layer, injection moulded first, contains up to 30 per cent dairyderived rPET; the white outer layer is injected over it. The technology allows PDG Plastiques to meet the European Directive requirement for 25 per cent recycled content in PET bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030. The company says this is an important step in the development of true closed loop production of milk bottles. Lighter large containers and neck finishes PDG has extended the use of its Mint-Tec technology to produce a 20 l container that is 100 g lighter than its previous preform but with the same mechanical strength. This is in addition to the 5 l bottle it already produces for a well-known French mineral water company. Having been among the first companies to produce 26/22 neck finishes complying with Cetie 30.37 for carbonated and still beverages, PDG announced that will launch a Cetie 30.40 version. As well as launching a range of stackable five, 10 and 20 l large containers with 48 and 63mm neck finishes, PDG Plastiques has commissioned a new blowing hall and will soon launch new bottles for customers in the chemical, agrochemical industry and cosmetic industries. www.pdg-plastiques.com BOTTLE MAKING The black inner layer, injection moulded first, contains up to 30 per cent dairyderived rPET; the white outer layer is injected over it. 20 l container produced using Mint-Tec technology"},{"@ID":1
"No.11 2023 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 13 . 11 . 23 MAGAZ I NE FOR BOT T L E R S AND BOT T L E - MAK E R S IN THE AMER ICAS, AS IA, EUROPE AND AL L AROUND THE PLANET PETplanet is read in 159 countries MARKETsurvey Suppliers of palletising & shrink film machinery Page 23 BOTTLE MAKING Page 27 Page 10"},{"@ID":47
"imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Hubweg 15 74939 Zuzenhausen, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 info@petpla.net EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Anthony Withers WikiPETia. info petplanet@petpla.net MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann hirschmann@petpla.net Johann Lange-Brock lange-brock@petpla.net phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur | exprim.de Matthias Gaumann READER SERVICES reader@petpla.net PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | www.petpla.net PETplanet Insider ISSN 1438-9459 is published 10 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (1-year subscription 149 EUR, 2-year subscription 289 EUR, Young professionals’ subscription 99 EUR. Magazines will be dispatched to you by airmail). Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. Note: The fact that product names may not be identified as trademarks is not an indication that such names are not registered trademarks. 3 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Dear readers, Sometimes the past catches up with you. As the saying goes “You only meet twice in life”. I was reminded of this during Intravis’s 30th anniversary celebrations (see article on page 32). Yes, there were some people among the 100 or so guests whom I had not seen for a long while, but I was totally unaware that Gerd Fuhrmann, founder and CEO of Intravis, and I had worked together almost 30 years ago. We both studied in Aachen and may well have sat opposite one another in some student pub. But our first collaboration was probably in 1996. Back then, Intravis was a small, up-and-coming technology company and I was editor of the trade magazine Plastverarbeiter. And what did Gerd have to say about his business? - His company’s slogan “We solve problems. Before they occur”, which dates from 1996 and first appeared in Plastverarbeiter! It must have passed through my hands then and perhaps I gave one or two clues. Neither Gerd Fuhrmann nor I knew at the time how much the PET industry would dominate our lives for the next few decades. Dear Gerd – all the very best and here’s to the next 30 years! Yours, Alexander Büchler"},{"@ID":45
"MARKET SURVEY 23 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 11/2023 MARKETsurvey Palletising and shrink film machinery This issue is dedicated to palletising and shrink film machinery. Please refer to the machine details for the state-of-the-art of the companies involved: Sidel, KHS Group, Krones AG, Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co. Ltd., Sipa, And & Or and SMI S.p.A. Although the publisher have made every eff ort to ensure that the information in this survey is up to date, no claims are made regarding completeness or accuracy. Company Sidel KHS Krones AG Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number Email Rue du Commerce 67116 Reichstett, France +33 388 183 880 www.sidel.com Mr Piero Zamboni PR Manager +39 0521 999452 piero.zamboni@sidel.com Juchostraße 20 44143 Dortmund, Germany +49 231 5690 www.khs.com Mr Ernst van Wickeren & Mr Christoph Wiesenack Product Manager Packaging +49 2821 503 200 ernst.vanwickeren@khs.com Böhmerwaldstraße 5 93073 Neutraubling, Germany +49 9401 70 0 www.krones.com Mr Andreas Fritsch Product Management Packaging Technology +49 8031 4040 www.info@krones.com No. 8 Xinjing East Road, Zhangjiagang Eco- and Technological Dev. Zone, Jiangsu Province, China, 215618 +86 512 5869 1111 www.newamstar.com Mr Wesley Yin Marketing Manager +86 512 56993303 market@newamstar.com Shrink film machinery: Packaging options & output rate (packs/min) - print registered fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) Yes, up to 120 cycles/min (PET bottles), 150 cycles/min (cans) in 3 lanes Yes, max. 135 cycles/min Yes, 150 x 4 = 600packs/min Yes, 60 - nested pack (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes, 80 packs/min, depend on pack formation Yes, 100packs/min No - label orientation (yes/no; packs/min) Yes No No No - carry handles (yes/no; packs/min) No Yes, optional max. 80 cycles/min Yes, 80 x 2 = 160packs/min No - pad supported (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes, 100 packs/min Yes, 140 x 2 = 280packs/min Yes, 60 packs/min - tray supported (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes, 120 packs/min Yes, 120packs/min Yes, 60 packs/min - fi lm only (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes, max. 135 cycles/min Yes, 150 x 4 = 600packs/min Yes, 80 packs/min - tray and fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes,120 packs/min Yes, 120packs/min Yes, 80 packs/min - pad and fi lm (yes/no; packs/min) Yes Yes, 100 packs/min Yes, 140 x 2 = 280packs/min Yes, 80 packs/min Shrink process: - shrink tunnel with hot air or gas fi red opt. Yes Yes Yes Yes - oven Yes No No Yes - steam tunnel No No No Yes Footprint Depend on confi guration 12.6 m til 28.9 m depend. on machine typ and necessary speed Depends on confi guration Number of possible lanes Up to 3 1 to 4 4 With 1 or 2 lanes Packaging material and possible thickness Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from 27-100 μm Film thickness 40 til 60 μm. Thinner fi lm up to 25 μm on request Film, min 25-120 μm 60 μm~80 μm Voltage/power/energy consumption NC Depend. on machine typ, speed and required options Depends on speed, package and material AC380V, 50Hz, about 110kW Film cutting and feeding system Yes Servo driven knife and vaccum belt transport Yes, fully automatic feeding, splicing, welding Yes Certifi cation CE certifi cation ISO 9001 Certifi cation ISO 20000-1, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, enviro, SBTi Compliant with 3c certifi cation Palletising machinery: Format changeover time Depend on confi guration Fully automatic changeover available - 0min operator time Depending on machine type, automatic changeover and manual changeover (5 to 10min) 20min Output rate (packs/min) Up to 12 layers/min Same as packaging machine 100-650lph (layers/hour) 120 Automatically intergrated: (yes/no) If necessary Yes Empty pack feeding Yes, empty pallet feeding Yes Yes Auto Insertion of interlayers Yes Yes Yes Auto Connectable to shrinkwrapper Yes Yes Yes Yes Special characteristics: i.e. low-level feed, cross conveyer barrier Available on high and low level infeed High speed with low level infeed Low-level feed, cross conveyer barrier Resins & additives Preform machinery Preform production & inspection systems Preform & SBM mould manufacturer SBM 2-stage Compressors All about caps Filling equipment & inspection systems Palletising & shrink film machinery Recycling machinery"},{"@ID":9
"7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net Sumitomo (SHI) Demag: 15 years of German-Japanese partnership Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is celebrating 15 years of GermanJapanese partnership this year. This occasion was acknowledged by Gerd Liebig, CEO, during the press conference at the beginning of Fakuma 2023. Over this period, synergies have been developed to enhance efficiency and increase market activities, said Gerd Liebig. As another milestone in the partnership, the increase in market share for all-electric machines was emphasised. “It has more than doubled worldwide,” stated the CEO, announcing further growth in this strategic focus in Europe: “With the introduction of the Intelect S and Pac-E, we expect an additional increase in market share in the next two to three years.” Liebig also elaborated on Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s product strategy, which is based on different platforms. For instance, a platform for all-electric injection moulding machines was established, enabling the production of the small Intelect in Germany, Japan, and from 2024 in China. The second platform concerns hydraulic injection moulding machines with high closing force classes. The Systec platform for machines with a clamping force between 800 t and 1,500 t for the automotive industry in Germany and China, was set to launch in late October. Increased investments in the packaging industry “The demand for injection moulding machines in Europe is affected by the embargo on Russia, making exports from the EU to Russia impossible since September 2023,” he explained. There is hope in the packaging industry: “Another defining factor will be the sharply rising demand for pharmaceutical packaging and closure caps, which will significantly boost the high-performance applications segment. Furthermore, the general demand for all-electric machines, which has seen significant growth in the packaging sector, will now also play an increasingly significant role in the consumer and automotive segments,” predicted Liebig. The current market situation is characterised by a very weak consumer sector. “Additionally, demand in the electronics industry has also dropped significantly due to its dependency on the automotive and construction industries,” the CEO explained. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag expects a consistently high revenue level in the medical technology sector and significantly increased investments in the packaging industry. “Our market share for all-electric machines has more than doubled in the last ten years and is currently close to 30 per cent for Europe.” www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu"},{"@ID":22
"BOTTLE MAKING 20 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net An ‘on-fi eld’ approach by Sacmi Bottle design for sustainability The availability of advanced instrumentation and pilot lines means that every solution developed by the laboratory, together with customers, can be tested in the field to validate the performance of the cap, preform and blow moulded container. BOTTLE MAKING Functional and elegant design, lightweight and sustainable. With an increasing proportion – which is growing in Europe because of regulations – of recycled resin. This is modern beverage packaging. Technological challenge The lightweighting of containers and the increasing use of recycled resins (especially rPET) pose significant technological challenges. The first is to create a technical-structural design that brings the characteristics of the lightweight bottle as close as possible to the required functional specifications and which provides a traditional consumption experience for the customer. The second involves the process, in terms of the increasing amount of recyclate in the mixtures, which compared to a virgin resin, is highly variable in terms of quality, viscosity, etc. For more than 10 years, Sacmi has been investing in developing blow-moulding technology. Robust, reliable, high-performance machines ready to take on the challenge of new lightweight containers and/or those made with up to 100% recycled material. Sacmi has tested various solutions in the current supply chain, first on still water containers and then on CSD containers, which is equally challenging due to the high quality and sealing performance required for carbonated beverage containers. The proposal Resin testing and analysis, advanced technologies for both preform production (IPS, injection preform system) and blow moulding (SBF rotary blow moulding machines also available in combination with the filling line), allow Sacmi to work on the design, optimise it according to the customer’s needs and to develop ad hoc solutions based on commercial requirements. This ability delivers advantages in terms of time-to-market, with the possibility of fast prototype development (also using new 3D moulding techniques) and testing the prototypes of the blow moulded container on the actual line. Carrying out comprehensive trials and tests at this point minimises the risk of functional issues and faults at a later stage, such as after blowing, and having produced entire batches of incorrect bottles. Sacmi has integrated the PVS156 intensive quality control system, produced by Sacmi Computer Vision, directly into its preform press, to provide an additional guarantee of perfect production results and improved process control. Sacmi’s research into moulds and blow moulding tools has resulted in the development of lowpressure bottoms. A patented Sacmi system reducing the consumption of compressed air. Design from a lightweight and recycling perspective The key aspect of the offer, which Sacmi makes available to customers through the new Sacmi Beverage Packaging Centre – which in turn makes use of the skills of the Group’s Beverage and Rigid Packaging Laboratories – was identifying a specific ‘design key’ to create lighter bottle designs while maintaining both a high aesthetics and performance characteristics. The latter is an integrated approach that includes the configuration of the neck and cap, and the structure of the bottle itself once it has been blown, right up to the design of the moulds, which is also carried out using advanced simulation techniques such as finite element analysis (FEM analysis). In all cases, the result is not limited to a paper copy; it is prototyped and industrially tested either using test benches and simulators or using anthropomorphic robots that simulate the behaviour of the actual machine. Some success stories Bottle design for sustainability is the best possible compromise"},{"@ID":27
"MARKET SURVEY 25 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net SMI S.p.A. Via C.Ceresa, 10, 24015 San Giovanni Bianco (BG), Italy +39 0345 40 111 www.smigroup.it Ms Daniela Dadda Marketing Department +39 0345 40.318 info@smigroup.it Automatic machines for packing plastic, metal, cardboard or glass containers; packs in fi lm only, cardboard pad + fi lm, tray only, cardboard tray + fi lm SMI designs and manufactures a wide range of fully automated machines for secondary packaging: shrinkwrappers machines; trayformers; overlapping cardboard sleeve multipackers; wrap-around casepackers and combined machines. The models available provide performances from 30 to 450 packs/min (in triple lane), depending on the model chosen and on the type of product to pack. SMI shrink wrappers and case packers can be integrated with a SMI palletiser to form a “Packbloc” compact end-of-line system. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Thanks to the precise analysis of thermodynamic phenomena generated by the shrink process, SMI tunnel distributes hot air fl ows in an effi cient and homogeneous way on the pack, thus ensuring its good quality at the end of the process. Available tunnel methan heated Single lane: smallest AFW serie (10,060 x 1,774 x 2,450mm) till the bigger size SK 1200 HS (18,752.5 x 1,774 x 2,450mm) Double lane: smallest LSK 32 (9,820 x 1,974 x 2,450mm) till SK 1202 HS (18,752.5 x 1,974 x 2,450mm) 1-3 Film: 30-100 μm depending on the production speed and pack collation; cardboard: low wave corrugated cardboard blanks: 3mm thickness Depending on the machine model Manual sealing bar joins the fi lms, fi lm reels the machine is equipped with a dedicated reel truck, pneumatic blocking system and when the fi lm ends, the machine stops, adjustment of the fi lm length is electronic, equipped with a device for centering the printed fi lm provided with reference mark CE The machine automation and control are entrusted to the Sercos Fieldbus technology; intuitive user interface for quick and easy management of end-of-line palletising operations; real-time machine diagnosis and technical support further enhance the machine control features. 140 packs/min (according to the size of the product handled and palletisation selected) Yes Yes Yes Yes Compact and ergonomic structure, operational fl exibility, quick and precisemovements, lowoperating costs and reducedmaintenance, eco-friendliness. Genius PTF - Fastlayer Genius PTF/A - Fastlayer Genius PP/PV Robby Pal Robby Pal with Fastlayer Conventional automatic palletisers steady pallet type with innovative layer preparation Conventional automatic palletisers moving pallet type with innovative layer preparation Conventional automatic palletisers steady pallet type for empty PET containers Robotic automatic palletiser Robotic automatic palletiser with layer preparation 10min 12min 15min 15min 10min Up to 330 layers/hour Up to 600 layers/hour Up to 360 layers/hour Up to 320 layers/hour Up to 320 layers/hour Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Operational fl exibility and further reduction in change-over times - Optimisation of cycle to increase performance, with improved control of the different movements using state-of-the-art electronic solutions - Customisation of the gripping systemand layer transfer according to the product to handle - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on themarket trouble-free, with customisable solutions - Layer preparationwith active pack orientation and arrangement with robots - Operational fl exibility and further reduction in change-over times - Optimisation of cycle to increase performance, with improved control of the different movements using state-of-the-art electronic solutions - Customisation of the gripping systemand layer transfer according to the product to handle vacuumhead available for wide mouth containers (i.e. jars). - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on themarket trouble-free, with customisable solutions - Complete range to handle different types of containers and products: layer, rowandmultihead and loose product palletising systems - Flexible andmodular solutionwith reduced footprint - Customisation of the gripping systemand layer transfer according to the product to handle - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on the market trouble-free, with customisable solutions - Complete range to handle different types of containers and products: layer, rowandmultihead and loose product palletising systems - Flexible andmodular solutionwith reduced footprint - Customisation of the gripping systemand layer transfer according to the product to handle - Designed to accept a variable number of product infeeds - Fully automatic system requiring limited operator intervention, operating in complete safety - Possibility to handle all main pallets on themarket trouble-free, with customisable solutions - Layer preparationwith active pack orientation and arrangement with robots"},{"@ID":46
"BOTTLE MAKING 12 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net A holistic approach to packaging design and development From concept to finished bottle Sipa’s capabilities in systems to produce preforms by injection moulding and using the Xtreme extrusion-injection-compression moulding technology are well-known; so is its position in bottle stretch-blow moulding, with both reheat systems and single-step injection-stretch-blow moulding, in moulds for preforms and for bottles to complement these moulding systems. The company’s design experts incorporate all this knowledge into the development of preforms and bottles, considering all the key parameters on the journey from the idea to a successful product. The company has built up a network of design centres across the world, in Europe, the USA, and China where a global team of experts, including 15 fully qualified industrial designers are busy. To produce bottle designs, many aspects have to be taken into account: What will the container contain? What specific markets it is aimed at? What is the sales strategy of the customer? Sipa’s design and engineering experts do not only have to consider the look of a container, but also how the look fits with the identity of the packaged product, how the container feels and behaves, how easy it is to produce, how it performs on the filling line, in storage, and in transport; and last but not least, how much it all costs. Market expertise The design and development team can apply its expertise not only to the container, but also to the label and/or other forms of decoration, and to the secondary packaging. Because the design centres are located in crucial end-user markets, staffed with experts steeped in local knowledge, they are positioned to create and develop ideas that best meet the needs of the specific customer and the target users. Local knowledge includes understanding of how markets are today, and how they are likely to develop, as consumer tastes change, and as new rules and regulations are introduced. In Europe, for example, environmental legislation is calling for single use bottles with tethered caps – caps that do not detach from the bottle when they are unscrewed, and so are less likely to disappear when the bottle has been emptied. New cap designs are likely to have important implications for bottle neck designs, and Sipa is already testing new versions. All these requirements and mechanisms to be considered go well beyond design. Sipa supports its design team with technical knowledge, assistance with market research and route-to-market strategies that will help the customer bring an idea into a commercial reality, sitting on the shop shelf in short time. This means that Sipa can speak to its customers from all points on the packaging circle – and it really is a circle, because Sipa has industryleading experience and expertise in multiple aspects of recycling, from design for recycling, all the way through to processing postconsumer recyclate into good-as-new containers. Design for recycling Sipa strictly follows the Recyclass Design for Recycling guidelines established by EPBP, the European PET Bottle Platform. This voluntary industry initiative provides PET bottle design guidelines for recycling, BOTTLE MAKING Luxury mineral water bottle engineered by Sipa for high speed production"},{"@ID":31
"TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 29 TRADE SHOW PREVIEW 29 higher costs on EU producers and the EU needs to protect the sector against potential fake declarations of producers from outside the EU. PETplanet: What are you working on right now and what are your priorities for the year ahead? Antonello Ciotti: Well, obviously the ongoing regulation is taking up a lot of bandwidth. There is still much that needs to be ironed out and we are looking forward to greater clarification as we move into 2024. In theory, PPWR could even represent a potential opportunity for our sector as PET is the only packaging product that could easily enter into reuse. We will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, increasing the circularity of trays is a priority as is demonstrating this to the EU institutions. We are spending a great deal of time in emphasising the circularity of PET trays alongside PET bottles and have held a number of events, including a Thermoforms conference in Bologna last summer. We are also leading a consortium of thermoforming companies and working hard to get recognition for trays. Advocacy continues to be an important part of our work and we are setting up a new advocacy working group to address this and calling for members to join and take an active role. 2024 will be a changeover year in Brussels with a new European Parliament in early summer and a new Commission by the end of the year. It will be important for us to reach out to the new intake of people and explain our industry and our material. They need to understand the value that the industry brings and also what has been achieved so far in terms of circularity. We stand ready to take up our responsibility but need clear guidelines. Take chemical recycling for example – it presents a huge opportunity but we need reassurance that making financial investments now will not be a waste. The focus and mission of Petcore remain the same: to show that we are the voice of the PET value chain in Europe and to ensure a growing market for the PET sector by demonstrating the material’s unique characteristics to legislators, brand owners and consumers alike. PETplanet: Thank you so much, Antonello, see you in Brussels! www.petcore-europe.org The shortest cut to success With SACMI, you can convert to tethered cap production effectively without compromising productivity. This solution ensures cost-effective slitting operations. -RRSZEXI TVSƼXEFP] W[MXGL XS XIXLIVIH GETW [MXL 7%'1- sacmi.com E N D L E S S I N N O V A T I O N S I N C E 1 9 1 9"},{"@ID":30
"TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 11/23 www.petpla.net 28 Waving the flag for PET innovation and circularity As Petcore Europe makes final preparations for its Annual Conference taking place in February 2024, PETplanet Insider caught up with President, Antonello Ciotti, to talk about the PET value chain and its core priorities. PETplanet: Petcore’s Annual Conference has become a firm fixture in the PET calendar. Why do you think this is? Antonello Ciotti: Our conference is the only event in the year which gathers players from right across the PET value chain - from machine producers and PET recyclers through to brand owners. Petcore is now some 140 members strong and brings together all the different industry players. As such it offers a unique perspective and the conference provides an excellent opportunity to talk business and network with colleagues from across the various facets of the sector. In addition, the conference takes place right at the start of the year and so serves to set the mood for the 12 months ahead. This became somewhat disrupted by the pandemic but for the last couple of years we have been back on track. The 2024 conference will be held against the backdrop of the final discussions around the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which places many actions on our industry and will have far reaching consequences for the sector. As it takes place in Brussels, at the heart of the EU, we are fortunate to have many delegates and speakers from the EU institutions and it’s important that our sector demonstrates how it is responding to the various regulatory challenges. PETplanet: I understand that the 2024 event will feature an Innovation Summit for the first time. Please tell me more. Antonello Ciotti: Yes indeed. The Innovation Summit addresses precisely the point I was making earlier and will showcase new developments and opportunities from across our sector. It will demonstrate to regulators and industry peers that we are on the front foot and innovating to rise to the various challenges we face. As we represent the whole PET value chain from upstream producers to downstream users, we are providing the different elements of the industry with a stage to talk about what is new and what they have to offer. With the raft of regulation heading our way it is clear that business as usual is no longer an option. The Innovation Summit will be quite technical in nature and dive straight in, to show what the industry is capable of. We will show policymakers the endless possibilities that PET offers in different fields from production through to recycling and explain the new and emerging technologies and breakthroughs that are allowing us to meet the evolving needs of society. PETplanet: There is certainly a lot of focus on packaging and packaging waste right now – where do your priorities lie? Antonello Ciotti: In many ways the PET sector has had a head start as we have already been subject to the regulations laid down by the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP) almost five years ago. As a result, PET packaging, unlike any other packaging materials, already has targets on recyclability and recycled content and is proving that they are achievable. The challenges come with the definitions covering the implementation and how the different EU member states will introduce and implement the regulations being laid down. How will countries and brands go about calculating their recycling rates for example? There are still a lot of unanswered questions. In particular, I am concerned as to how the PET industry will be able to defend itself against the greenwashing of producers from third countries looking to place their products on the EU market. How will they be monitored and checked? Surely it’s not enough to just claim that a product contains a certain percentage of recycled content? There should be systems to verify and confirm this. The new regulations are imposing"}]}}
