Sidel introduces StarLite R, a 100% rPET bottle for carbonated soft drinks
Sidel has launched a 100% rPET bottle for carbonated soft drink (CSD) packaging. StarLite R has been designed to allow CSD producers to switch to rPET bottle production with ease and efficiency, while reducing the impact on product quality or packaging integrity.
Laurent Naveau, Packaging Innovator Leader at Sidel, comments on the challenge rPET resin can present the packaging industry: “The characteristics of rPET are impacted by several factors. Firstly, by seasonality. Consumption habits fluctuate over the course of the year impacting the product category mix. And secondly, by different PET collection models which means that post-consumer PET material bales will vary from region-to-region and even country-to-country. The recycling process and equipment used will also influence PET resin. All these factors can pose new challenges for manufacturers looking to produce bottles with rPET content.”
In addition to common CSD bottle manufacturing challenges such as stress cracking, roll out and bursting during blowing, a higher temperature is also required to process rPET. Consequently, packaging manufacturers can experience reduced control over rPET material stretching and distribution of the substance in the bottle-making process.
Traditionally, greater variability in rPET resin leads to a narrower process window and lower bottle quality. Sidel’s base, StarLite R, uses leading technologies to ensure efficient rPET bottle production by restoring a wider process window. The design is claimed to be easier to blow as it can be done within a wider range of parameter settings on the blower achieving a higher quality bottle.
High performance rPET bottle base
To achieve a high performing rPET bottle base, StarLite R features an optimised mould base profile and uses an advanced stretch rod end design.
Sidel says that the new mould base profile allows for good material distribution through advanced stretching and a high base clearance for optimum stability. The advanced stretch rod end design has improved the preform end-cap material stretching and ensures accurate injection gate centering on the bottle. A sophisticated combination of grooves and venting holes allows for high-precision base feet formation, according to the company.
The new bottle solution also utilises dual external and internal bottle base cooling to ensure a perfect shape. Externally, the process uses a mould base cooling circuit that focuses on the warmer bottle base zones and internally a hollow-stretch rod requiring no additional air supply is used.
Seamless transition
Utilising Sidel’s expertise, the new bottle can be easily installed on existing production lines and adapted to fit current bottle designs. The solution is compatible with Sidel’s blow moulders, EvoBlow, Universal and Series 2 and suitable for high-speed productions.
