Popular monolayer preform expands Retal portfolio
Multinational plastic packaging producer Retal has added a new monolayer to its portfolio. The in-demand 26/22 GME30.37 monolayer preform is joining the capabilities and additional capacity of Retal Czech, located in Melnik.
Available in both transparent PET monolayer and PET with additives, according to the requirements of each customer, the popular preform is produced in a range of weights and is ideally suited to the European markets, particularly Czech, Slovakia, Poland, France and parts of Spain, for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages that already use this neck finish.
Jiri Nydrle, Sales Manager at Retal Czech, explains why the production of this popular preform is part of the product expansion at Retal Czech. “This recent addition is further expanding our portfolio for both local customers and those in neighbouring countries across Europe. Our skilled and experienced team is happy to share expertise with customers to see how we can create solutions for their packaging requirements, whether it’s for food, beverage, cosmetic, household or industrial applications. We offer a wide range of specialised and custom neck finishes in various weight ranges, such as the 34/29 and 28mm double-start and 17-63mm. By adding production of the 26/22 GME30.37, we’re giving our customers more options for choosing a complete packaging solution from one partner.”
With the demand for carbonated, non-carbonated and functional drinks all expected to rise, suitable packaging that is comfortable for the consumer and environmentally responsible must be available in the right volumes. To ensure that the different requirements of each type of beverage is catered for, Retal Czech can utilise the ongoing R&D focus at the company’s Lithuanian design laboratory, where state-of-the-art CAD design software is used and the skilled R&D team work to analyse the most minute changes and their impact.
Andzejus Buinovskis is part of the creative team at the Retal R&D lab in Lithuania. He shares with PETplanet how the 26/22 neck finishes compare, with the key differences weight, neck height and application. Buinovskis says, “As with all our work, we have to focus on the smallest changes to be able to make a difference without impacting negatively on performance. We’re always thinking of the sustainability elements, so the weight of the preform is crucial, but of course it can’t be so light that it buckles or is impractical in its intended purpose. The 26/22GME30.40 has the biggest tether parking space compared to other 26/22 neck finishes, which guarantees a wide opening angle and good functionality for the tethered cap.”
It is this kind of expert technical knowledge that helps Retal stand out from the packaging crowd. By understanding both the industry trends and the ever-increasing legislative requirements across different markets, the company is already producing 23.5g and 26.5g 26/22 GME 30.37 preforms in 1.5l – 2l for a respected local beverage brand in Slovakia, Poland and Germany, and has further testing ongoing for other customers.
Jiri Nydrle concludes, “This is an interesting time for preform development, for us and our customers. We have to work within the tight boundaries of the changing legislation of course, and to do that we are lucky to be able to call on the skills of our R&D team. But it’s also an exciting step forward for our industry. To be able to create a sustainable option for our customers from our Melnik plant is great for our local and neighbouring customers. We have a range of solutions available, different weights, different neck finishes, different applications. We are here to help.“
