{"pages":{"page":[{"#text":"No.1+2 2022 petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 07 . 02 . 22 PETplanet is read in more than 140 countries 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 MARKETsurvey Suppliers of resins and additives Page 24 Page 08 CAPS & CLOSURES Page 17","@ID":1}
"PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Clariant completes sale of its pigments business Clariant, a focused, sustainable and innovative speciality chemical company, today completed the sale of its Pigments business to a consortium of Heubach Group (“Heubach”) and SK Capital Partners (“SK Capital”). As announced upon the signing of the transaction, the base enterprise value of the sale amounts to CHF 805 million subject to closing accounts adjustments and before a potential earn-out payment of CHF 50 million which is subject to the business’s 2021 financial performance. Clariant rolled over approximately CHF 115 million to retain a 20 % stake in the new holding company, alongside Heubach and SK Capital. This combined business is a global pigments player with approximately 3,000 employees generating approximately EUR 1 billion in annual sales with strong service and production capabilities across the globe. This roll-over allows Clariant to further benefit from the improving profitability of the Pigments business, participate in future growth opportunities and realise synergies via the combination with Heubach’s Pigments business. Clariant’s net cash inflow after roll-over and initial debt adjustments, but before closing account adjustments, tax, transaction cost and a potential earn-out payment amounts to approximately CHF 615 million. Clariant intends to use the proceeds of the divestment to invest into growth projects within the core Business Areas, execute the strategy along sustainability and innovation, fund the performance improvement programs as well as strengthen Clariant’s balance sheet to reach and defend a solid investment rating. “The Pigments divestment concludes Clariant’s transformation into a high-value speciality chemical company, allows us to invest in profitable growth in our most attractive segments and to address the increasing demand for more sustainable products,” said Mr Conrad Keijzer, Chief Executive Officer of Clariant. “We are convinced that the Heubach and SK Capital consortium is the best owner of the Pigment activities and I wish our former colleagues all the best in their new environment. Clariant looks forward to participating in the group’s further development as a shareholder.” www.clariant.com Moldintec’s packaging and design team have won the WorldStar Award in the category Beverage Moldintec announced that their packaging and design team has won the 2022 WorldStar Award in the category of Beverage for “Bonafont NoLabel project”. The WorldStarAward Jury explained their decision as follows: “Moldintec’s NoLabel bottle arouses emotions in people that are more effective than marketing that touts features and benefits only. NoLabel is all about essential packaging for branding agencies that strive for “iconic assets.” It’s a manifesto to people about environmental protection, materials reduction, and recyclability commitment. Essential itself as water. It’s a unique combination of industrial design and engineering talent to develop laser-based manufacturing technology for blow moulds. Decoration, communication, and structural design features fused on the whole bottle skin. Easy to recycle and made 100% PCR. Laser machining makes it real “what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Winners will be honoured at the prestigious WorldStar Awards presentations to be held during May 2022. www.worldstar.org www.moldintec.com/es/ BrauBeviale 2022 suspended at the request of the industry – BrauBeviale 2023: 14 – 16 November 2023 The Covid pandemic continues to shake up the international event calendar in the global beverage technology sector in 2022. After intensive consultation with the companies and associations represented on the BrauBeviale exhibition advisory committee, the event organiser, Nürnberg Messe, has decided to suspend BrauBeviale 2022, from 8 – 10 November 2022. “By taking this step, we are reacting early to the concerns of the market, and ensuring planning reliability for the industry,” says Ms Andrea Kalrait, Executive Director of BrauBeviale and Beviale Family. The next BrauBeviale, therefore, will be held from 14 to 16 November 2023 in Nuremberg. Here are a few voices from the BrauBeviale exhibition advisory committee: “We made the decision to suspend the BrauBeviale in 2022 as key sponsors, alongside our partner NürnbergMesse; by doing so, we are accepting the industry’s desire to hold just one international specialist exhibition in 2022. However, we are already working together to get another attractive and successful BrauBeviale up and running in Nuremberg in 2023!” Mr Stefan Stang, Managing Director, Private Brauereien Bayern e.V. “I have the utmost respect for this difficult, but certainly correct decision. Instead, next year we will be putting the pedal to the metal once again in Nuremberg!” Mr Andreas Holleber, Vice President Global Technology Centre, GEA Brewery Systems GmbH. “The decision is absolutely the right one: holding the two leading beverage technology exhibitions in one year would be too much. We are very much looking forward to a strong BrauBeviale in 2023!” Dr Roland Folz, Group President, Pentair Haffmans BV. “Planning reliability is very important, particularly at present. I want to express my thanks and great respect for this early decision!” Mr Martin Tolksdorf, CMO, Döhler Group GmbH. www.braubeviale.de/en","@ID":8}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 17 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net One of the early pioneers in using the z-slides concept was Coca Cola’s operation in Eastern Creek, Australia. Since last year the bottler has been part of CCEP, the Coca Cola European Partners, the biggest bottling company for Coca Cola. David Chalmers, Head of Packaging Services at CCEP Australia has been leading the projects for the past ten years and says: “Fast cycle times, exceptional performance, low maintenance and minimal wear parts, great technical support and part design capabilities made z-moulds a perfect fit and partner.” Since 2012 the company produced billions of closures with the z-slides system and proved that the concept is robust and reduces significantly the necessity for unexpected downtime. With the patented z-slides technology the Austrian mould maker responded, more than 10 years ago, to a common wear problem with lateral slider moulds in the closure industry. Due to rapid cycles and therefore multiple million shots per year, the conventional slider moulds have issues with ongoing wear. The parting line between the cavities is flat and does not need any additional centring and consequently the wear was reduced to an absolute minimum. (Fig.1) Meanwhile the Australian CocaCola bottler runs 11 closure systems from the Austrian mould specialists and proofed this as a success story. In addition to the lowered reinvestment for maintenance and also the reduction of downtime, output was increased as well as the overall efficiency of the system. For example, US based water bottling company Premium Waters Inc. successfully ran the 96-cavity moulds more than 35 million shots, in less than 3 years, producing more than 3 billion closures from each of their systems. Adjusted to tethered caps requirements Not only in Europe, where the new Single Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament will apply from 2024 on, but also in many other countries around the globe customers are tending to look for more environmentally-friendly solutions. Michael Fink, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing says: “To respond to today’s market requirements, the proven concept was re-engineered and enhanced by an extended movement. This allows us to have complete closure side walls within the slider geometry. Combined with the ability in de-moulding into four directions, this technology is a perfect fit for the new generation of beverage caps. Specially tethered caps require these enlarged slider heights and de-moulding possibilities.” With this technical advance the Austrian mould and closure specialist can remain with the well-proven concept and the associated benefits and at the same time open a new possibility of de-moulding all types of tethered closure designs. One of the first customers using this enhancement is design partner Universal Closures Ltd. from the UK, who designed a screw-on and flip-off tethered solution to be used with standard 29/25mm 3-start bottle necks. (Fig.2) The new z-slides extended can fit closure wall’s up to 15mm, so all new bottle necks are covered. www.z-moulds.com Fig.1 Patented z-slides cavity stack CAPS & CLOSURES Responding to tethered caps requirements Extended slider mould concept The Austrian mould maker and closure specialist z-moulds is known for its unique slider technology used for all beverage closures with tamper evidence bands. The so-called z-slides system is patented and used by many closure producers around the world. To meet tethered caps requirements, the proven concept has been re-engineered and extended. Fig.2 UCL Tethered Peacock Design","@ID":19}
"OUTER PLANET 46 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net OUTER PLANET From PET bottle caps to skateboard Cool yet sustainable In 2015, the skateboard brand WasteBoards started with the question: “Can we make a skateboard from plastic waste?” Together with the University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam they developed a prototype. And they continued their development with a group of Amsterdam-based semipro street skaters. It took WasteBoards over five years to create a flawless production method to maintain their innovative design based on the colourful melted plastic cap patterns while having the right strength and stiffness, flexibility and shape. And what started in a small factory in The Netherlands, is now attracting international interest. For decades, skateboards have been constructed of several layers of maple wood, which - cross-laminated and pressed - provide the necessary stability and flexibility to withstand extreme stresses. Dutch Amsterdambased WasteBoards took a different path relying on plastic closures instead of the traditional wooden core. “Our first goal is to show people that plastic waste is a great material for new cool products. We want to become a real alternative for other less sustainable skateboards. If we want to create a more sustainable world, we need to make great quality products from recycled materials. Only then we can make it attractive for people to make more sustainable choices,” says Mr Rogier Heijning, co-founder of WasteBoards. During the development phase, the board was tested to withstand a point pressure of more than 400kg. The deck is designed with 200 anti-slip studs and a concave. The slight fishtail is a little acknowledgement of the company‘s mission to keep plastics out of the oceans. The bottle caps which are used for the skateboards are collected together with skateboarders, visitors to events, school children, companies, etc. Each WasteBoard is baked by hand. And every design is unique, because no caps pattern is the same. “We have outgrown the gimmicky perception that is always associated with these kinds of sustainable products. It is very difficult to create a sustainable product that can be produced on a larger scale while still having a distinctive look that tells the story of the product: from waste to product. To be able to produce a cool looking skateboard that shows the problem and solution in one, that’s our real achievement I think,” says Rogier. In 2021, the company’s vision to conquer the international market, became reality. WasteBoards were ready to be launched in America. For this occasion, the company created a special limited edition board: the Liberty Cruiser. They operate from their base in Atlanta from where they will service the “sacred land of skateboarding”. To celebrate this introduction, the company created a special limited edition. The design of the Liberty Cruiser is based on the colours of the American flag - symbolising liberty and opportunity but also, says the company, the responsibility to protect each other and the land and sea we live in. And the story continues. A skateboard trade chain ordered their first batch to supply their networks in Germany, Switzerland and Austria; and countries like Indonesia, Australia and the Dutch Caribbean have shown interest in starting their own WasteBoards bakery. The principle of melting down plastic caps and turning them into new objects is not limited to skateboards. The company is already working on other objects that could also benefit from the process. www.wasteboards.com CAPS & CLOSURES +44 (0) 1254 584210 sales@petmachinery.com petmachinery.com Active for over 25 years, our global network and specialist knowledge makes us the go-to company for the sale or purchase of a PET machine. Commercially savvy, we work closely with our customers and our global network, to make sure everyone gets the best deal. Providing comprehensive advice throughout your sale or purchase; we can arrange dismantling, loading, packing, shipping, specialist insurance and commissioning. If you have amachine to sell or you’re looking to purchase, please get in touch. THE INDUSTRY EXPERTS","@ID":48}
"MARKET SURVEY 25 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Resins Company name Indorama Ventures Polymers Germany GmbH Neo Group Reliance Industries Limited Novapet, S.A. Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number E-Mail Philipp Reis Strasse 2 65795 Hattersheim, Germany +49 69 305 6025 www.indoramaventures.com Mr Christian de Lope Market & Business Development +49 172 652 6558 christian.delope@de.indorama.net Industrijos str. 2, Rimkai LT-95346 Klaipeda district, Lithuania +370 46466710 www.neogroup.eu Ms Justina Volček Product Development Manager +370 602 14 169 justina.volcek@neogroup.eu PET BU, Build. No. 8, BWing, 1st fl oor, Thane Belapur Road, RCP, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, 400701, Maharastra, India +91 22 7967 0000 www.ril.com P° Independencia, 21, 3°, PC 50001 +34 976 216129 www.novapet.es Mr Ricardo Monfi l Head of Polymers Division +34 976 216129 rmonfi l@samca.com Resins 1. Brand name of the resins Polyclear PET, PolyShield Resin, Xpure Polyester NEOPET Relpet and Relpet Green NovaPET 2. IV range a. of homo-polymers 0.60 - 1.05 0.56 - 0.82 0.76 0.58 - 0.96 b. of co-polymers 0.81 - 0.87 0.76 - 0.84 0.59 - 1.00 0.60 - 1.30 3. Speciality resins CSD Polyclear PET 1101 NEOPET 80, NEOPET 82 Relpet G5841 LBS Soft, CR Water Polyclear PET 1101, T94N Aqua NEOPET 76, NEOPET 78 Relpet G5761 MW Soft, CR, Sprit Beer PolyShield Resin 2300 and Masterbatch 2520 NEOPET 80, NEOPET 82, NEOPET 84 Relpet B9845 Glasstar and Sprit Edible oil Polyclear PET T94N CR, Glasstar Wine / Liquors PolyShield Resin 2300,2520; OxyClear Barrier Resin NEOPET 80, NEOPET 82 Relpet B9845 / Relpet G5801 Glasstar and LBS Soft Personal care / Pharmaceuticals Polyclear PET T94N, XPure Polyester NEOPET 80 Relpet G5801 Glasstar, Sprit Slow crystallisation Polyclear PET T94N, XPure Polyester Relpet S5841 (5 gallon returnable, thick sheet and thick moulded articles) Glasstar, Sprot Hotfi ll NEOPET 82 HF Relpet H7761 HF Pre-coloured DCU, Luz and Polygloss Fast reheat Polyclear PET 1101 NEOPET 82 FR, NEOPET 84 FR Relpet QH5821 LBS Soft Other Next generation catalyst series Xpure Ultra NEOPET Relpet C1000 (CPET trays, high tenacity straps), Relpet IM5590 (thin wall products and injection moulded articles), Relept OP5821 (UHTmilk on aseptic fi lling line) CPET, HT, REX (for EBM), SOL (aerosol bodies), PET grades for other non-packaging applications 4. Increased barrier properties PolyShield Resin 2300, Masterbatch 2520, Oxyclear Additive 3500 Relpet B9845 barrier grade has both active oxygen barrier and passive carbon dioxide barrier Light barrier: Dairy, LUZ , DCU, Polygloss Gas barrier: Glasstar, Sprit 5. PEN mixes available Yes, also PEN Copolymers with different PEN content 6. Recycled blends available NEOPET Cycle PET resins (25% PCR content) Relpet Green (100% PCR) Yes, under customer requirements 7. Special comments Extrusion Blow Moulding grade available: Polyclear EBM PET 5507 NPG modifi ed resins under development NEOPET Cycle - Innovation dedicated to sustainable future Grades have been developed based on fi ner requirements of end-use; customised grades (like EBM) are available on request. Focused on innovation at the service of packaging. Specialised in light barrier protection. Committed to create new markets for PET. The right tools and expertise to help with your rPET goals! Agr is uniquely positioned to support your venture into rPET bottle manufacturing with a powerful combination of Process Control tools, Process Consultants, and decades of industry experience. AGRINTL.COM • +1.724.482.2163","@ID":27}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 27 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net they changed depending on the bottle orientation. And because the bottles are transported unaligned during the inspection important evaluation windows could not be set correctly for the time being. The software upgrade provided a remedy especially for completely asymmetrical tethered caps: Since then, the individual images can be rolled out to a full 360° view even in such cases, on which evaluation windows can be centered and aligned to a specific characteristic. The allround inspection of the closure walls of asymmetrical 26/22 tethered caps thus again achieves the usual accuracy in identifying defects in this area. Inspection of closure integrity In addition, the enhanced software masters another challenge in the detection of caps that are too high and may not seal properly. This can now be done reliably from an overheight of 0.5mm. But this is still not enough to ensure closure integrity. The proven cap angle detection of the Heuft FinalView II Cap has therefore also been further developed: It can now be measured whether the tethered caps are always aligned at exactly the right angle to a special marking on the bottle neck – and thus it can be calculated exactly whether they have actually been screwed on as far as they should have been during the capping process. The results of the extended 360° closure wall inspection are compared with those of the standard integrated top-down camera for colour logo inspection. Together with the specifications of the closure manufacturer, it becomes directly clear in this way whether the respective full container is tightly and securely closed. Precise statistics provided by the advanced cap angle detection help the bottler to identify faulty closure heads at an early stage and to start preventive maintenance before this leads to major product losses due to leaking bottles. Illumination for clear contour inspection To meet yet another challenge associated with the new GME 30.40 neck finish for 26/22 tethered caps mentioned above, the compact unit for cap inspection directly on the moving conveyor has also been equipped with special lighting. Like the entire preform, it is made of recycled PET, which is less bright and transparent than conventional PET, especially in the mouth and thread area. And that makes it more difficult to detect defects around the tamper-evidence band. But it is precisely in this sensitive area that full precision is important in order to be able to guarantee that each individual rPET bottle is securely closed and its contents remain pure and unadulterated until the end consumer opens it himself. Heuft has therefore prepared its transmitted light method for the darker material with new illumination hardware in order to track the tether mechanism and to be able to detect defective or broken tamper-evidence rings even better under such conditions. More than “just” tethered cap inspection The tests were successful. The same applies to the integration of the further developed Heuft FinalView II Cap into the pilot line. And the experience gained in the recently started regular operation also confirms that non-returnable PET bottles with faulty asymmetrical tethered closures are indeed reliably detected and safely rejected. For preventive maintenance, the causes of detected closure faults are localised at an early stage. After all the detection unit for the all-round closure inspection is an additional module of the Heuft Spectrum II VX which permanently monitors not only the filling valves but also the capper heads via a machine connection. Furthermore, the modular fill management system of the new generation checks the fill level as well as the presence and position of the labels among other things. And besides the accurate rejection of faulty bottles, it realises a targeted sampling: a Heuft e-mono discharges a freely definable number of bottles onto its own lane without compressed air after the first round in the capper. All this is reliably achieved at a line speed of 40,000 bph and is designed for even higher speeds. www.heuft.com With the new software, the gap between the tamper-evidence ring and the tether band can be teached as good without compromising the safety in detecting unwanted gaps between the latter and the closure cap itself. The fact that deviating pixels around the tether mechanism are now tolerated does not affect the detection accuracy when inspecting the 180° opposite tamper-evidence band area, so that even the smallest defects such as broken bridges are reliably identified there. The number of pixels that deviate from the original shutter colour can vary between the left and right side of the protruding hinge. With the further developed software, this can also be taught as good and tolerable for this particular rotational position of the tethered cap.","@ID":29}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 29 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Without iQ weight control, the injected melt volume changes after a batch change to an extent which can lead to rejects. Activating iQ weight control is claimed to improve process consistency and to allow for efficient production. example, exhibited deviations of up to 1.5 cm³ from the reference value. With iQ weight control activated, it corresponded to the reference value again. This meant that good parts could be produced from the first shot after the batch change. In addition, the process stability was improved by 66 percent. The trial series clearly shows that even in high-performance applications with very short injection times of a few tenths of a second, iQ weight control makes it possible to compensate for process fluctuations, which makes process adjustments during a batch change obsolete. As the use of recycled materials grows in the packaging industry, smart process assistance is becoming increasingly important. Recycled materials typically mean greater batch variations than virgin material. Using iQ weight control means that recycled materials can be used in a cost-effective way for demanding packaging products. www.engelglobal.com","@ID":31}
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 39 BOTTLES Sport drink from Austria IMS Höllinger, a drinks‘ manufacturer based in Austria, is selling natural isotonic beverages under its own name that have been especially created to meet the needs of athletes with their new “bio sport magnesium” drinks. The products come in specially shaped 750 ml bottles which are easy to handle and designed to fit perfectly into bicycle bottle holders. Round grooves offer additional stability. The ingredients are organically grown or occur naturally – like the magnesium content of the water. A sleeve label provides details on both sport drinks with a tamper-proof sports cap that allows the bottle to be opened easily and secured after use. www.hoellinger-juice.at A children’s drink in a bulbous bottle There have been well-known and less notable pioneers or early supporters of this bottle shape in the story of the PET bottle. JSM, a drinks’ manufacturer from the Caribbean, began using PET bottles for some of its beverages in the mid-1980s including Pepsi and Capri-Sun, which were bottled under licence. A new, patented bottle shape was used for the 1993 market launch of the company’s own “Chubby” product, a carbonated soft drink aimed specifically at children between the ages of four and nine. The drink comes in a bulbous 250ml PET bottle that contains many flavours and colours. The product still has a wrap-around film label with a tamper-proof screw cap. www.smjaleel.net A drink with pieces of fruit The soft drink “MoGu Mogul” originates from Thailand. It contains bits of fruit made from nata de coco, a gelatinelike product which is produced by the fermentation of coconut juice. The brightly-coloured soft drink comes in 320ml and 1,000ml bottles and has a multi-fruit flavoured taste, including lychee, strawberry, coconut and blueberry. The smaller bottles have labels in the top area only while the larger fully labelled ones have a window in the front section through which the pieces of fruit can clearly be seen. Both bottle sizes have compensating or reinforced surfaces for added stability. www.getmogumogu.com dm Bio drink in PET The German discount pharmacy company dm has launched various organic lemonades as part of its dm bio range, including guarana cola, cranberry, lemon and herbal varieties. The drinks come in a clear, long-necked 430ml bottle made from 100% recycled material and have matching coloured screw caps and wrap-around film labels. The drinks are only available via the dm.at website, although the drinks can be purchased in Germany. www.dm.at","@ID":41}
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 34 The event opened on November 30th with an evening Networking Reception – enabling the delegates to get together and interact socially and professionally in a relaxed atmosphere, over drinks and canapés. The next two days were dedicated to presentation sessions, interspersed with Q&A and further social and networking opportunities: refreshment breaks, lunches, exhibition visits and the official conference dinner. The presentations programme was opened by Conference Chair Noru Tsalic, who represented the organisers Nortal Consulting. Entitled ‘Trends and Developments in the Global Market for Blow Moulding’, Noru’s presentation was designed to set the scene for all the other talks. The first keynote speaker was Ms Gloria Gabellini, Director Environmental Policy at PepsiCo, presented ‘Building a world without plastic waste’, which traced PepsiCo’s roadmap to sustainable packaging. Ms Gabellini Review of the 5th edition of the international conference, exhibition & networking event Blow Moulding 2021 by Noru Tsalic, Nortal Consulting & Conference Chairman, Blow Moulding 2021 Every year, the international Blow Moulding conference, exhibition and networking event brings together the entire supply chain associated with this industry: from brand owners and retailers to designers, manufacturers of packaging components (preforms, bottles and other containers, as well as caps and closures, labels and sleeves, etc.), providers of equipment and technology, suppliers of raw materials and additives – not forgetting of course recyclers, sustainability experts, academic researchers and regulators. This enables experts and leaders from different areas of activity to interact, explore new collaborations and, ultimately, accelerate progress and innovation. The 2021 edition took place in Brussels, Belgium, on December 1-2, as a face-to-face event under special pandemic-related health and security precautions. The Conference Foyer hosted not only the refreshment breaks, but also a lively tabletop exhibition. Exhibitors had the opportunity to display products, samples, posters and other marketing material, as well as engaging the attendees in interesting conversations.","@ID":36}
"TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 36 vations, achievements and future roads towards circular economy’, his presentation stressed the importance of working in parallel and of involving all actors, while making sure that their efforts are properly aligned and coordinated. Mr Andrew Capper, Creative Director at Echo Brand Design, discussed the important issue of lightweighting, seen from a brand designer’s perspective. Additionally, Andrew’s presentation contained very valuable insights into the future: how far can we go in terms of lightweighting? How can we better use it to enhance the brand and how can it be more eloquently communicated? Design issues were also the topic of the presentation delivered by Ms Tetiana Pronikova, Head of Development Group – Americas at PET Technologies. By examining a number of case studies, Tatiana demonstrated how design has to produce an optimal ‘marriage’ between aesthetics and manufacturability. Next, Mr Matteo Gaiardi, Sales Director at independent blow moulder Serioplast, described his company’s journey towards circular packaging. The general strategy is embodied by the slogan ‘Reduce, Recycle, Reuse’. Dr Lex Roes, Senior Environmental Specialist at Ecochain, is the author of an interesting comparative study of the environmental impact of plastic and glass packaging. Based on the data generated by the study, his presentation showed that a 26 g PET jar had a much lower environmental impact, compared to a glass jar of equal volume, which weighed 190 g. Mr Johan Kerver, CEO of Filigrade, presented a novel Digital Watermark Technology. Adopting a minimalistic strategy, the new technology is based on simple codes. It necessitates a small area, on which simple code can be either embossed or printed. The business model is based on licensing the technology, with royalties being paid by the brand owner. Entitled ‘Innovations, achievements and future roads towards the circular economy’, the next keynote session was authored by Mr Dominik Szwed, Packaging Development Specialist, Danone Żywiec Zdrój S.A., Poland and presented by Mr Philippe Diercxsens, Environment Manager at Danone Waters. It described Danone’s multi-pronged sustainability strategy, with particular stress on Danone Waters’ global and local initiatives. Blow moulding serves not just consumer packaging, but also industrial packaging markets. The next presenter, Mr Sami Awad, General Manager of ABCO United (a major regional blow moulder headquartered in Egypt) spoke about ‘Packaging of lubricants in Africa and the Middle East: a review of the main issues and requirements’. Mr Awad delighted the audience with a thorough analysis of that industry, its regional characteristics and common issues that crop up in that market. Mould design used to be considered an art. But, as Mr Julien Papillon, owner and VP Business Development of Matissart, clearly demonstrated, the ‘art’ of designing and optimising complex moulds for high performance products has now evolved to an exact science. Mr Papillon showed how Finite Element Analysis can be deployed as a high precision tool, resulting in faster design of optimised moulds for demanding blow moulded articles. After accumulating lots of valuable experience in the industry, Dr Assia Ouchchen established Plas-","@ID":38}
"EDITOUR 11 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 value and volume growth. It will be challenging to reverse this trend, as health advice now is to restrict juices to 150ml a day. Kiti Soininen, Mintel’s Head of UK Food, Drink and Foodservice Research, highlighted the pressures and campaigns on sugar content as on ongoing trend but also mentioned emerging health trends – for fibre content particularly – as a possible bright spot. The same company’s Soft Drinks Review 2021 found that 35% of adults in the UK believe that there are not enough soft drinks available that are aimed at adults. This may be an opportunity for smaller brands to capitalise on. High levels of interest in functional benefits emphasises the scope for these to increase market share by offering benefits beyond hydration and flavour, which can offset concerns around sugar, to an extent. Immune health has come higher up the agenda, thanks to the Covid-19 outbreak. The energy drinks market is dominated by a Big 5: Coca-Cola, Suntory, Red Bull, Monster Beverage Corp, and PepsiCo (Rockstar Energy). It is forecast to show CAGR of 4.3% over the 10 years 2016-2026. Around 80% of energy drinks are sold in cans, with PET taking the remaining share. Consumers are, increasingly, turning to sugar-free energy drinks; only around 30% say they never drink sugar-free, according to Mordor Intelligence. Alcoholic beverages – a mixed picture The alcoholic beverages market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% during 2019-2025, according to Research & Markets. In 2018, the UK market was valued at £33bn (€37bn) and is forecast to reach £40bn in 2025. WHO reported that alcohol consumption per capita decreased slightly, from 12.3 litres in 2010 to 11.4 litres in 2016. That decline seems to have been reversed during the Covid-19 period, despite the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland and Wales. The key players in the alcoholic beverages market are Carlsberg A/S, Diageo PLC, Suntory Holdings Ltd., and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. The brewing industry was historically centred around Burton-uponTrent, in the Midlands of England, with a legacy of strong regional brewers. The consolidation upwards has, paradoxically, left space for the emergence of micro-breweries at the bottom end. Most beer for retail sale is packaged in glass; cider, in contrast, has a stronger representation of PET. While the UK is gaining a reputation for high quality white and sparkling wines, made from vineyards in the chalk downlands of the SouthEast, most wine is imported. Whisky is made primarily in Scotland and Ireland, with new distilleries emerging","@ID":13}
"MARKET SURVEY 24 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 01+02/2022 MARKETsurvey Additives Suppliers of resins & additives There is rapidly increasing demand for packaging materials that give even greater protection to their contents. Functional additives and resins are an important technology in meeting this demand for greater product protection in the plastic packaging market. A functional additive modifies the properties of packaging to impart desirable or beneficial functions. That is why we won’t stop a well-established tradition in opening our market surveys overview in 2022 with suppliers of resins and additives. Please find here the news of the companies: Addform Limited, Avient Cooperation, Repi S.r.l, Sukano AG, Indorama Ventures Polymers Germany & Indorama Ventures Ltd, Neo Group, Reliance Industries and Novapet, S.A. Although the publishers 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 name Addform Limited Avient Corporation Repi S.r.l. Sukano AG Indorama Ventures Polymers Germany GmbH Postal address Telephone number Web site address Contact name Function Direct telephone number E-Mail Unit 21, Skypark Industrial Estate Liverpool, L24 1YL, Great Britain +44 151 659 1102 www.addform.co.uk Mr Richard Glen Sales Manager +44 151 659 1102 richard.glen@addform.co.uk 33587 Walker Road Avon Lake, 44012 OH, United States +1 440 930 1000 www.avient.com Mr Marco Schäfer Marketing EMEA +49 4102 487 158 marco.schaefer@avient.com Via B. Franklin 2, 21050 Lonate Ceppino VA, Italy +39 0331 819511 www.repi.com Ms Lucia Buffoni Marketing Manager l.buffoni@repi.com Chaltenbodenstrasse 23 8834 Schindellegi, Switzerland + 41 44 787 57 77 www.sukano.com +41 44 787 57 77 media@sukano.com Philipp Reis Strasse 2 65795 Hattersheim, Germany +49 69 305 6025 www.indoramaventures.com Mr Christian de Lope Market & Business Development +49 172 652 6558 christian.delope@de.indorama.net Additives and Colours for PET Liquid colours Yes Yes Yes No Microgranule colours No Yes No Yes Masterbatch colours Yes Yes No Yes UV protection additive (solid) Yes Yes No Yes UV protection additive (liquid) Yes Yes Yes No AA reduction (solid) Yes No No AA reduction (liquid) Yes Yes - SenzAA No Oxygen scavenger (solid) Yes No No Oxyclear Additive 3500 (requires additional components) Oxygen scavenger (liquid) No No No IV enhancer Yes Yes Yes Yes Reheating Yes Yes Yes No Blowing additive Yes Yes Yes (liquid) Yes Slipping agent Yes Yes Yes (liquid) Yes Other PET additives: Anti Yellow, Antiblock. Recycling friendly toners, special fffects, matting agent, slip additives, NIR black, light blocking additive for UHT milk bottles. Anti Yellow (liquid), Process Aid (liquid), Optical Brightener (liquid), Colours for Barrier Solutions (liquid). Antioxidants, Antistatics, Melt Enhancer, Voiding Agent, Optical Brightener, Nucleating Agent, Mould Release, Matting Agent, Slip/Antiblock, Light Diffusor, Light Barrier, Impact Modifi er, Flame Retardant, Antimicrobial, Plasticiser, Pinning Agent, Foaming Agent. Resins & additives Preform machinery Preform production & inspection systems Preform & SBM mould manufacturer SBM 2-stage Compressors Caps & closures & inspection systems Filling equipment & inspection systems Recycling machinery Palletising & shrink film machinery","@ID":26}
"MOULD MAKING PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 32 Second life for moulds too fit to retire Second Life, Otto Hofstetter AG’s mould brokerage service, offers mechanically sound moulds that are no longer used by their owners to other producers who can use them. Before going to its new owners, the mould is completely overhauled at the factory in Uznach and comes with a oneyear guarantee. Otto Hofstetter’s Second Life is a good example of the circular economy in action. Today, sustainability is at the top of everyone’s agenda in the food and cosmetics industries. Many of the biggest names have publicly announced their aim to have a balanced, net-zero carbon footprint in the next five to ten years. To reach this target, they are carefully examining all of their activities and looking for ways to minimise their environmental impact. In order to remain credible with consumers, many industry leaders are joining ambitious global initiatives such as the New Plastics Economy, which counts Coke, Danone, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever and Walmart among its core partners. And a product’s packaging is often even more important than its origins or its manufacturing processes because the packaging is what the consumer sees first. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to investors, too. More and more investment decisions are being made today based on the investment’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) merits. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that aims to minimise waste by reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products. Companies are increasingly weighing the costs of simply disposing of valuable raw materials. Right from the beginning, in the product development stage, the selection of materials increasingly focuses on recyclability. The goal is that the raw materials used can remain “in the cycle” and can either be used again or sold on for reuse in other forms. Preserving value instead of destroying it Recycling certainly applies to steel. The good reputation of the moulds from Otto Hofstetter AG reflects not just the company’s skills as precision toolmakers but also the quality of the materials they use in their moulds. The fact is, these Swiss-made moulds produce packaging – whether for PET, packaging or medicinal products – that deliver high quality, with a life cycle far longer than that of the products they contain. Unfortunately, later on in their service life, these highquality moulds all too often end up in a warehouse and are increasingly forgotten. At some point, they are then sold to a scrap metal dealer who buys these still usable moulds at the spot price for scrap. In fact, these moulds are far more valuable. First class, second-hand With Second Life, Otto Hofstetter AG aims to support the industry’s efforts to reduce its CO2 footprint. It recognises the value of the mould and the raw materials used to make it. Due to the design, which is more than 90% standardised for PET moulds and around 80% for PAC moulds of the S-Line, existing components can readily be reused in whole or in part. With PAC moulds, which have been designed uncompromisingly to the original customer’s specs, only small adjustments are possible. Alternatively, some components can be reused if the requirements are similar. Free online platform The Second Life platform is free to use for buyers and sellers. Second Life simply mediates between them. If a mould has been taken out of production, its owner can place it on the platform. If it finds a buyer, it is completely overhauled and, as necessary, modified at Otto Hofstetter’s headquarters in Switzerland. The new owner receives a 12-month guarantee. www.otto-hofstetter.swiss","@ID":34}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 14 Tour Sponsors: First Circle: New name, new direction by Ruari McCallion Interview with First Circle Packaging Limited December 13, 2021 We met: Mr Chris Phelan, CEO and Mr Greg Ward, HR Director First Circle Packaging Limited emerged from the restructuring of Nampak Ltd, where the UK Plastics division was divested. Nampak Plastics was previously formed by the merger of Plysu and Blowmocan back in 1999. Greybull Capital LLP, its new owners, have committed to significant strategic investment including development of new product lines outside of dairy, including its first foray into PET. PETplanet Insider’s UK editor, Ruari McCallion, met HR Director Greg Ward and CEO Chris Phelan – coincidentally, two years exactly from the acquisition. First Circle Packaging’s HQ is in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England, 90 km north of central London. It has very good transport links, being less than 4 km from the M1 arterial highway from London to the Midlands and North of England, and well-placed for east-west routes as well. It also has a facility in Livingston, Scotland, which serves the local market and Northern England. The brand name may be new but it has a long history of manufacturing and supply of polymer packaging, with the familiar names of Plysu and Blowmocan in its legacy. It was owned by South African company Nampak from 1999 to 2019, when it was acquired by private equity firm Greybull Capital. The acquisition was followed by a complete restructuring of the Board as part of the transition. It now employs over 230 people; it is actively seeking to recruit but it is up against tough competition in the local labour market. Rebranding, refocusing and restructuring The decision was made to rebrand from Nampak Plastics as part of a strategy that would draw a distinct line under the past. That the company did so in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, was a twoedged sword. As well as the inevitable upheaval that such an exercise would involve, the company had to deal with disruption to the supply chain, same as everyone else. On the upside, a less than predictable market meant that the whole workforce was already in troubleshooting mode, ready to deal with problems and unexpected challenges. “The change of ownership gave us an excellent opportunity to rebrand, to reflect, restructure and refocus,” said Greg Ward. “While there was uncertainty initially after the takeover, it quickly became clear that Greybull Capital’s view was that this business has growth potential and opportunity. Some is within the dairy industry but the market is already competitive with limited growth. We wanted to diversify, to extend our product portfolio outside of dairy, to return in some ways to the Plysu days and to go into personal care.” The choice of First Circle as the new name is intended to convey the company’s strategy to develop circular economy and manufacturing ideas and principles, as well as its decision to venture outside its traditional market of dairy, to personal care, First Circle’s factory hall F.l.t.r.: CEO Chris Phelan with HR Director Greg Ward","@ID":16}
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 38 PETbottles Beverage + Liquid Food A cocoa drink made from peas The Berlin company VF Nutrition Ltd has brought out a cocoa drink made from pea protein as part of its “vly” brand that comes in a 400ml bottle produced from 100% recycled material. It contains 20 grams of protein per bottle and is promoted with the words “no added sugar“. Dates have been added to provide sweetness, vitamins and fibre. The bottle has a sleeve label and is secured by a tamper-proof screw cap. www.vlyfoods.com Winter Kick from Aldi South Aldi South is selling a limited edition of three vegan juices containing pure juice or fruit pulp with its Winter Kick product as part of its “rio d’oro“ brand. Each of the orange-grapevanilla, apple-ginger and grape-pomegranate-chai varieties comes in a clear 500ml bottle made from 50% r ec y c l ed con t en t . Colour-coordinated film labels and screw caps complete the product packaging at point of sale. www.aldi-sued.de","@ID":40}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 21 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Schmidt: Safe Venting keeps pressure build-up inside the bottle below a safe 2 bar through a venting feature in the closure’s sealing area. By managing the pressure it protects the consumer from the so-called ‘missiling effect’ – a familiar hazard with certain beverages that have a tendency to ferment. When juices or dairy products in bottles with conventional non-venting sealed closures are opened and then re-closed, internal pressure can build up to 5 bar. The next time a bottle with this level of internal pressure is opened the closure can ‘missile off’ loudly and potentially cause injury to the consumer. At the same time, the beverage can foam out uncontrollably. Our venting technology eliminates this issue while still providing a secure seal. We’re currently supplying the Bericap 3438 to a number of juice customers in Europe – the internationally known brand ‘innocent drinks’, for example. We are proud to be part of their journey towards realising a CO2-neutral, all-electric factory in the Port of Rotterdam. PETplanet: Speaking of sustainability: You received the Packaging Europe Sustainability Award in 2020 for another innovation. What was it about? Schmidt: With our award-winning BericapValve we have succeeded in avoiding the conventional material of silicone and designed a valve made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). So the closure is 100% silicone-free, which is an enormous advantage for recycling because it prevents the contamination of the recycling stream with silicone. Our valve closure has a top recyclability rating and is certified according to leading institute standards, such as bifa Umweltinstitut and Fraunhofer. PETplanet: In other words: this small yet decisive change of using a different material has enabled you to eliminate a weak spot with a huge negative impact on the whole cycle – the contamination of the valuable PET material with silicone. Schmidt: Exactly. The BericapValve is made of TPE, which can be recycled in the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) recycling stream without contaminating it, yet still has the same properties as conventional valves. PETplanet: Is this valve only available for special closures? Schmidt: No, it fits a wide range of flip-top closures for all common neck finishes and can be used for sweet, sour and fat-containing products, as well as for sport drinks and still water. With such a variety of applications, the valve is a sustainable alternative to the conventional silicone valves that are currently in widespread use for spreadables. It also optimises the customer products’ dispensing performance. PETplanet: Where else is consumer convenience important? Schmidt: In our experience optimum dosing and dispensing is extremely important for edible oil, soy sauce and vinegar, especially because they are used for different applications in the kitchen. We’ve closed a gap in the market by developing two dispensing systems for these products: the 2 Flow and the X Flow. PETplanet: What’s the difference between these two systems? Schmidt: The 2 Flow has a tear-out membrane that creates two pouring holes, a small hole on one side for low-flow applications such as dressing a salad with vinegar or oil and a large hole for high-flow applications such as pouring oil into a frying pan. Deflectors inside the closure improve flow performance for significantly enhanced consumer convenience. The X Flow has an even more impressive dispensing concept. The consumer still has a choice of two different flows, but the flows also remain constant irrespective of the bottle angle. Even when the bottle is turned upside down the flow rate remains constant. PETplanet: Could you also manufacture these closures more sustainably? Schmidt: Absolutely. The most effective initiative to improve sustainability is definitely the reduction of the plastic material necessary to produce the container and closure. We’re demonstrating this with our closure range for the PET 26/21 neck finish that can be used for edible oil, soy sauce and vinegar, as well as still water. It is turning out to have particularly promising characteristics in terms of lightweight design and material reduction. As long as we are able to reduce material by design without compromising functionality or product integrity, we can increase the sustainability of these solutions. PETplanet: Other than sustainability and customer convenience, what trends will be important in 2022? Schmidt: Closure customisation and flexible individualisation are still important in the food and beverage segment as well as in many other industrial sectors. That’s why we offer our customers a digital printing service to maximise their design flexibility. It allows them to create a unique-looking, recognisable product, on the one hand, and to protect the product against copying and counterfeiting, on the other. PETplanet: Thanks very much for the interview, Thomas. www.bericap.com","@ID":23}
"imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Vangerowstraße 33 69115 Heidelberg, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 info@hbmedia.net EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Anthony Withers WikiPETia. info petplanet@hbmedia.net MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann hirschmann@hbmedia.net Johann Lange-Brock lange-brock@hbmedia.net phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur | exprim.de Matthias Gaumann READER SERVICES Till Kretner reader@hbmedia.net PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | 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. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Copyright of Thomas Fischer picture by: www.heidischerm.de Dear readers, Since 2003, there has been a compulsory deposit return scheme in Germany for mineral water and beer bottles as well as for carbonated soft drinks in non-returnable glass bottles, PET bottles and cans. This year, Germany is expanding the compulsory return scheme to include all non-alcoholic beverages in the three types of containers with a content of up to three litres, including juices and energy drinks, for example. Once again, Germany has failed to charge a deposit for ALL non-returnable beverage containers. For example, the beverage carton remains outside the deposit return scheme. In particular, the German Environmental Aid (DUH, www.duh.de) describes the “supposedly environmentally friendly beverage cartons as a massive confidence trick on consumers.” Calculations by the German Environmental Aid (DUH) from 2018 describe the official recycling rate for beverage cartons of around 76 percent as incorrect. In fact, only around 30 percent of beverage cartons in Germany are recycled. Right from the start, around 40 percent of the composite packaging does not end up in the yellow recycling bag, but in the residual waste, the paper bin or the environment. The recycling of the composite packaging made of plastic, aluminium and new paper is also complex. Beverage cartons have even become significantly less ecological in recent years: the paper fibre content has decreased, the plastic content has increased and in the last 20 years composite packaging has become 35 percent heavier. Thomas Fischer, Head of Circular Economy at DUH, explains: “Tetra Pak offers beverage cartons with a plastic content of more than 50 percent, ... these are 2.0 plastic bottles. The upper parts made entirely of plastic, long-stemmed pouring aids or oversized screw caps are evidence of increasing plasticisation.” That is why the DUH also demands a deposit of 25 cents for beverage cartons in Germany. This is the only way to increase the low collection volume and recycling rate. Yours sincerely, Alexander Büchler Green washing","@ID":5}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 12 in Wales and England. Specialist and premium gins have become a trend in the spirits market. The overwhelming majority of spirits and wines are packaged in glass. Although consumption at home increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK hospitality industry was very hard hit by shutdowns in 2020 and 2021. Many pubs, cafes and restaurants shut their doors permanently after a series of lockdowns and restrictions. The pub trade newspaper, the Morning Advertiser, reported that six pubs a week had closed from March 2020 to May 2021. This number has since been revised upwards; Sky News reported on 22 January 2021 that 10,000 licensed premises – pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants - closed permanently during 2020, with a net reduction of just under 6000, when new openings were taken into account. Brexit and ‘Global Britain’ The impact of Brexit has been far less although, as the pandemic retreats in the UK, producers are becoming more concerned about export markets. Trade with with the EU has fallen since the UK formally left, on January 31, 2020, but activity with other parts of the world have risen, quite significantly, in some cases. It is being actively supported by the UK Government’s ‘Global Britain’ campaign. The USA’s relaxation of a trade embargo on whisky has seen a recovery in sales to America. Environment In Mintel’s Soft Drinks survey, 62% of adults cited plastic pollution among their top five environmental concerns. CocaCola Great Britain (now part of CocaCola Europacific Partners) announced in 2021 that all plastic bottles of 500ml and less for brands including Coca Cola, Coca Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Lilt will be made of 100% recycled plastic. The new bottles are easy to spot; they have been lightly coloured in a translucent shade of dark green. The Packaging Federation maintains that modern packaging and distribution methods in the UK enable food wastage in the supply chain to be at very low levels – just three per cent, compared to more than 40% in Russia/India and other countries. While demand for packaging is directly linked to consumer demand for products, developments in packaging in recent years have seen a decoupling of packaging growth from GDP growth in Britain. In the last ten years, the amount of packaging per person used in the UK has remained virtually unchanged while, in the same period, GDP and household expenditure have grown by some 20%. End of life packaging represents less than 20% of total household waste and below three per cent of unrecovered waste to landfill. Even that can be recovered; the UK has several energy-from-waste schemes that mine for and extract methane and other usable products from landfill sites. Proper, circular economy recycling of PET still lags behind aluminium and ferrous metals in the UK. Aluminium cans are now nearly 100% closedloop; virtually no virgin aluminium goes to food and beverage cans. While households are exhorted to sort waste and to recycle as much as possible, there is still a lot of potential. According to WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, UK plastic film recycling capacity was estimated to be just over 205k tonnes in 2020. Rigid plastic packaging recycling capacity was estimated at 440k tonnes in 2020; it could rise by nearly 300k tonnes by 2025, if all plans come to fruition. The UK is seeking to increase domestic capacity to recycle and reuse plastic waste and is consulting on policies to improve the quality of recovered plastic and create demand for recycled plastics. The market for recovered and recycled plastics is likely to continue to grow over the next 5–10 years. 338 124 25 599 266 34 7 53 286 229 92 111 93 24 1 6 Source & copyright by: WRAP Plastics Market Situation Report 2021 Consumer plastic packaging placed on the market by format and polymer 2019 (in 1,000 t) Source & copyright by: WRAP Plastics Market Situation Report 2021 Non-consumer plastic packaging placed on the market by format and polymer 2019 (in 1,000 t)","@ID":14}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 23 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 Neuron for different products and markets IMD had already several new projects, which were only possible to handle with the new IMDvista Neuron. For example, it is now possible to read very special and complex preform or closure cavity numbers which was absolutely impossible to handle for the vision market in the past. IMD’s flexibility in the future In the future Neuron guarantees IMD the flexibility to react quickly on new market requirements and demands. With Neuron it is possible to reduce significantly the engineering time for special demands. Due to the new artificial intelligence tool, the future of IMD has already begun. www.imdvista.ch IMD’s Philosophy - Excellence “Since our foundation, we have lived the idea of innovation and have focused everything on developing excellent, individual and very robust solutions for high efficiency and production reliability for our customers.The best solutions are created in a team - and the customer and other partners or suppliers are always part of it.”","@ID":25}
"31 PRODUCTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Non-spill sports cap Novembal launched a new sports cap equipped with patented non-spill technology from SmartSeal for on-the-go beverages. The new Novactive 28, available in various colours for 1881 and 1810 neck finishes, is equipped with a unique and patented non-spill valve. Among other main features are a dust cap that locks at 180 degrees and a secure seal that allows pressurised contents up to 3 bar. An upgraded tamper-evident band design stays attached to the cap to avoid littering. Michel le Wycof f , Director New Business Development at Novembal, mentioned: “The closure offers a comprehensive series of benefits from the moment they are on the shelf: a unique design, a variety of bright colours, and an ultra-clear closure with a dust cover. Consumers can turn the bottle upside-down, and no single drop will come out of the bottle.” Novembal is part of the Sidel Group. www.novembal.com Cap changeover without further investment related to filling systems Has Plastik, based in Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey, has developed closure solutions that are compliant with the new European regulations. Although there is no demand from local customers, Has Plastik pushed the new developments concerning tethered caps to meet the needs of its export customers. Accordingly, Has Plastik has started to develop solutions for the beverage market with 29 and 28mm caps. It is expected that this new concept will provide the market with a good opportunity to change closure solution without changing the filling equipment and still meet all the standards of this new closure concept. The new tethered closures are designed to be used in the same settings of the bottling lines and are also not expected to change chucks, so there is no investment on the part of the bottler. In developing these new closures, the company has not compromised on its sustainability goals and has managed to develop lightweight closures with tethering properties. These closures also use the tried and tested features of filling technology such as folded tape and conical design. In addition, the closure has a steady bridge breaking force.Has Plastik states that the samples are now ready for customer evaluations. In line with its sustainability targets, Has Plastik has also recently introduced into beverage market its lighweight HOD cap solution. The new design is intended to be used again without any change in the cap feeders and filling machines and giving the opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint without losing any advantage on the cap performance, states the company.This design keeps one of the characteristic advantage of the easy opening finger loop. This cap is already in the market and available for customer use. www.hasplastik.com (MKMXEP VEXMSREP TVSƤXEFPI ;LEX IPWI# SACMI.COM 300 :MWMSR W]WXIQ MRGPYHIH DIGITAL (MKMXEP TVSGIWW GSRXVSP VIEGLIW TVIZMSYWP] YRXLMROEFPI PIZIPW STIRMRK YT XLI MRHYWXV] XS -S8 WGIREVMSW RATIONAL 7%'1- 4VIJSVQ :MWMSR 7]WXIQ MRGPYHIH JSV EHZERGIH GSQTVILIRWMZI TVSGIWW GSRXVSP PROFITABLE %JXIV GSSPIV [MXL '330 MRWMHI GSSPMRK W]WXIQ\r WLSVXIRW G]GPI XMQIW ERH PIEHW XS QSVI TVSƤXEFPI TVSHYGXMSR 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":33}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 26 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Full precision during tethered cap inspection Non-returnable PET bottles with tethered caps present great challenges for the inline quality inspection in the filling and packaging process. Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH has prepared its technology for the 360° cap inspection accordingly with intensive tests, new types of software and special lighting. With success as an installation at an important German bottler shows. CAPS & CLOSURES The first ones are already available on the market and in the middle of 2024 they will finally become compulsory: PET bottles with tethered caps. From then on, at the latest, disposable plastic beverage containers must be equipped with new types of caps that remain firmly attached to them even after opening. This is prescribed by the EU directive 2019/904 Single Use Plastics (SUP) in order to counteract the littering of the environment by plastic waste. However, the implementation poses major challenges for bottlers and their suppliers, which affect practically the entire production, filling and packaging process, from the stretch blow moulding machine to the filling and sealing machine to the QA equipment. Accordingly it is important for all those involved to prepare PET lines for the new closure type in good time. Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH has already made an early start with this. Prepared for the unforeseeable The complete quality and integrity inspection of simple symmetrical closures already succeeds reliably with the proven standard version of the Heuft FinalView II Cap even if in some cases it is not yet really foreseeable what faults and defects could occur on them in the future. It is a clear advantage that unknown objects are always displayed as faults on the highresolution detection images which it generates. However, deviations from conventional plastic screw closures can be specifically taught in as good with the smart Heuft reflexx A.I. image processing. New features, such as initially unusually large gaps between the lid and the tamper-evidence band, are then no longer interpreted as faults but as typical for the appearance of the respective closure shape. PET full containers with corresponding features are no longer rejected; with full detection accuracy, the false rejection rate remains at the lowest level. Optimised closure wall inspection of asymmetrical tethered caps It is considerably more demanding to design the precise complete inspection of asymmetrical tethered closures without any gaps or “blind” areas. Heuft divides them into two main groups: Some have a completely symmetrical appearance in the top-down view but show clear asymmetrical structures in the side view due to their tether mechanism. The others even deviate from the usual rotational symmetry from both perspectives. Responsible for this is their protruding hinge. Thanks to specific software upgrades the Heuft FinalView II Cap can now inspect both subtypes in the usual precision without any compromises. This also applies to the completely asymmetrical closures which it examines in the pilot line of a major soft drinks producer. The 26/22 tethered caps with specially developed and standardised GME 30.40 neck finishes (CETIE code) clip conveniently into a fixed position after opening, but remain connected to the container. They are not only lower and almost half a gram lighter than conventional PET bottle screw caps. Their deviating cap shape due to their protruding hinge was the reason why the closure wall inspection of the Heuft FinalView II Cap could not evaluate the images from the four cameras at first because Connected to the Heuft Spectrum II VX fill management system the further developed Heuft FinalView II Cap not only finds incorrectly applied tethered caps but also their causes. A current software upgrade now makes a complete covering closure wall inspection without blind spots possible even in the case of asymmetrical tethered caps.","@ID":28}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 19 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Rocket Sports cap with Actiph Water and PolkaLite paired with SimpliCycle valve A two-in-one solution Aptar Rocket redefines beverage packaging safety standards by offering a highly visible and non-detachable tamper evidence system to the market. The sports cap complies with upcoming sustainability regulations, including the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive proposal in Europe. CAPS & CLOSURES Partnering with Actiph Water to combine the Rocket sports cap with its brand speaks to the nature of both companies, where Actiph wants to match the overall consumer experience with the quality of its water. Actiph Water has a high alkaline level. Aptar Food + Beverage offers a sports cap that is cohesive with the Actiph brand and promises an overall premium experience. In addition to its visible safety, Rocket offers a no-dust, double-wall lid design that protects the drinking area from external contaminants. A large finger recess and audible closing “click” makes opening and closing Rocket easy and reassuring for consumers. Rocket’s hinge technology offers a wide opening angle, ensuring the elimination of a lid spring-back effect. Furthermore, Rocket was designed to adhere to child safety standards (BSDA). To meet upcoming sustainability standards, the closure is tethered to the neck of the bottle. This system ensures the closure and bottle remain connected through its lifecycle, and therefore, increases the likelihood of the closure being collected and sent through the recycling stream with the bottle. Aptar Food + Beverage leveraged the benefits of two high-performance products, PolkaLite, a lighter version of the Polka closure (-1.3 g). The award-winning SimpliCycle recyclable valve to bring to manufacturers and consumers a high level of performance, convenience and sustainability in a closure that is reliable throughout the product life cycle, stated Aptar. PolkaLite is a recyclable closure designed to use less raw materials. It not only helps brands in complying with packaging regulations and potentially achieve eco-taxes reduction, but it also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers who are committed to using products that are recyclable. PolkaLite, when paired with SimpliCycle, is a dispensing solution that is recyclable at the end of use, without compromising on performance. SimpliCycle, recently awarded the Best CSR & Sustainability Initiative at the World Food Innovation Awards ceremony in March 2021, is easily separated from the PET recycling stream and has the ability of being recycled with both PE and PP. PolkaLite is designed to provide enhanced capping performance thanks to its thread profile and the durable outer shape with less conicity. This ready-to-use solution is easy to deploy for manufacturers. By fitting different food products, even with chunks or with high level of viscosities, PolkaLite combined with SimpliCycle is easy to scale and supports manufacturer expansion in an e-commerce environment. The liner is not recyclable. Consumers benefit from a robust hinge and upgraded finger recess for a smoother grip plus the domed body deck and lower spout to avoid self-opening, said Aptar. The SimpliCycle valve size (500) allows usage for chunks and thicker sauces, pastes and other ingredients. When used with acid-, oil- and fat-based products, the slitting of the valve remains consistent, making it readyto-use in inverted dispensing systems, and reducing risk of leakage. Besides easy-to-open and close, this 2-in-1 solution allows consumers to dispense precise doses of products time after time. A clean cutoff and tight valve minimises stringing, spurts and drops. In addition, a smooth and straight flow reduces the chance of leaks; altogether, providing a much more hygienic and pleasant experience. www.aptar.com","@ID":21}
"PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 01+02/2022 Page 31 EDITOUR 8 The European Road Show to Drinktec 2022 is underway - Will it be different? And if so, how exactly? 14 First Circle: New name, new direction CAPS / CLOSURES 17 Extended slider mould concept - Responding to tethered caps requirements 18 Lightweight, ready-to-market solution 19 A two-in-one solution - Rocket Sports cap with Actiph Water and PolkaLite paired with SimplyCycle valve 20 “Clearly sustainability is a major trend - also for the closure industry”, Interview with Thomas Schmidt, Group Marketing Director at Bericap 22 In-line inspection with AI - A new way to inspect special closures 26 Full precision during tethered cap inspection 28 Boosting process stability - iQ weight control for caps & closures MARKET SURVEY 24 Suppliers of resins and additives MOULD MAKING 32 Second life for moulds too fit to retire BOTTLE MAKING 33 1,000 l container in PET - Cypet Technologies launches Circular Economy PET IBCs EVENT REVIEW 34 5th Edition of Blow Moulding 2021 BUYER’S GUIDE 40 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 30 Cap Products 38 PET bottles for beverage and liquid food 46 Outer Planet CAPS & CLOSURES Page 22 Page 14","@ID":6}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 20 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net CAPS & CLOSURES PETplanet: Thomas, what is this year’s most important trend in caps and closures? Schmidt: 2022 is the year when a lot of companies in the beverage bottling industry will be switching over to tethered caps to comply with the SUP Directive. That’s why many of our current customer projects focus on the introduction of our ClipAside tethered cap design. But we also believe that light weighting, design-for-recycling and use of bio-based or PCR materials are important to driving sustainability in product development projects. New product developments are naturally also associated with great potential to create new customer benefits and deliver consumer experiences beyond climate protection. PETplanet: Can you tell us more about your ClipAside tethered cap design? Schmidt: We’re committed to supporting our customers through this challenging transformation, and we’re doing it by offering beverage brand owners and fillers the opportunity to switch over to tethered caps with minor modifications at most to their production processes and equipment. This is one of the main reasons why they are choosing our ClipAside design, besides its intuitive and robust handling performance across all neck finishes from PET 26 to 38mm. The ClipAside design offers highest flexibility to our customers as it can be supplied in standard slit or tethered slit versions. So, once the filling line has been adapted for the new closure shell design, a switch from standard to tethered TE band doesn’t require any further modifications. We’ve already launched it in the French bottled water market and we’re in the process of starting the first serial shipments to a number of leading international market players as we speak. During the tethered cap project Bericap also made a strong contribution to the new PET 26/22 CSD GME 30.40 neck finish, which provides a significant material reduction compared to the commonly used PCO 1881 necks. Our fully industrialised ClipAside solutions for GME 30.40 therefore mark a major milestone for the introduction of tethered caps in the CSD segment. PETplanet: Of course, consumer convenience and product sustainability are important parameters when it comes to product development. Which other parameters belong to it? Schmidt: I’d like to add product integrity and operational excellence to that list – and ideally we want to achieve improvements in several of these benefit areas. Another product we developed on the basis of these priorities is the new Bericap 3438 - 38mm closure for dairy and juice beverages with our patented Safe Venting technology. The lightweight, tethered closure’s combination with Safe Venting technology is a perfect example of an innovative product being developed on the basis of consumer preferences and sustainability requirements as a solution to a customer problem. PETplanet: What exactly is this new technology – and what problem does it solve? “Clearly sustainability is a major trend – also for the closure industry” The tethered cap transformation is a great challenge for the beverage industry and the entire related supply chain, but new developments offer manufacturers opportunities to create new customer benefits and consumer experiences beyond climate protection. PETplanet talked with Thomas Schmidt, Group Marketing Director at Bericap.","@ID":22}
"BOTTLE MAKING 33 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Cypet Technologies launches Circular Economy PET IBCs 1,000 l container in PET Cypet Technologies Ltd, which is headquartered in Dali, Cyprus, about 20 km NW of Larnaca and 10 km south of Nicosia, has a production facility in India, and is an international manufacturer of single stage injection stretch blow moulding systems. It specialises in large-capacity packaging, transforming resin directly into finished containers such as bottles, jars, jerrycans, kegs and drums. The company says that is set to “disrupt the global intermediate bulk container (IBC) market”, with the extension of its product range to stretch blow mould production of 1000 l IBC bottles in PET. Cypet is actively seeking a partner with whom to strike a strategic cooperation agreement, to implement its PET IBC bottle technology across the world. Cypet has established a reputation for using its technology to mould very large PET containers, including 50 l beer kegs; 55 lcrates; and 50 land world-record 120 l, 400mm neck diameter drums, produced on its K53 machine that was demonstrated at the 2019 K’ Show. The technology has opened up new markets and applications for PET packaging. Larger IBC containers, such as the 1000 l range, have typically been made of HDPE. Cypet saw moving from drums to IBC bottles as a natural step. The used IBC market is growing very fast and it is convinced that introducing PET bottles will change it for the better. The company believes that PET offers a number of economic and environmental advantages. The 1000 l bottle is 35% lighter than an equivalent HDPE containers, which means that it has the potential to reduce the plastic used in IBCs by a total of around 150,000 tonnes a year. It also means that less energy is required to produce the bottles in the first place, and to transport them subsequently. Transportation advantages would be ongoing through the life of the bottle, with consequent benefits to fuel consumption and carbon emissions. PET is a totally recyclable material. It can be used to make new bottles or in other PET applications, from packaging to construction, helping to make manifest a genuinely circular economy – recover, reuse, recycle. As the PET IBCs cost less, it may well be more practical and cost-effective to recycle and remanufacture the bottles than to wash them, which would reduce water consumption and the use of cleaning materials, to the benefit of the environment. HDPE cannot be made transparent; PET can be produced with glass levels of visibility, which makes visual inspection of IBC contents and monitoring of their condition much easier. “Cypet technology is taking PET where it has never been before,” says Constantinos Sideris, Managing Director, Cypet Technologies. “This opens up a new range of opportunities. We are very excited to see how this leap in PET processing technology will improve the environmental impact, economics and performance of IBCs in the bulk packaging industry.” www.cypet.eu Challenge mastered: Full precision during tethered cap inspection. HEUFT ... knows how! HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH AmWind 1 · 56659 Burgbrohl · Germany · info@heuft.com · heuft.com Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Accessories IBC Bottle IBC Cage IBC Pallet","@ID":35}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 22 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net A new way to inspect special closures In-line inspection with AI IMD, known for closure inspection systems, developed a very new in-line closure inspection solution based on artificial intelligence. AI is already everywhere and now it is going to get an important position in the in-line closure production as well. In combination with the vision control center-V5 the new IMDvista Neuron is one of the most important software developments in IMD’s history. CAPS & CLOSURES IMDvista Neuron inspected already millions of tethered and special closures in different designs, versions and solutions. It is a huge milestone for all IMD customers due to the fact that they have now a quality insurance for all future tethered closure versions as well. After years it is additional possible to fulfil a huge demand of inspection inquires on special closures. All started due to the new EU tethered regulation It was a challenge for IMD to find a solution which would be able to detect all current unknown defects which could appear in the future. Without 24/7 production experience and real samples, it was impossible for the brand owners nor for the closure producers to define updated quality and inspection specifications. It was therefore essential for IMD to find a new solution which would be flexible enough to cover all future defined requirements. The development The expected size of defects that needs to be detected was significantly smaller than anything known so far. A detailed in-line inspection of a complex outside hinge structure without a rotational positioning was almost impossible. Due to smallest image distortions also a “panorama picture” was not able to solve the task. IMD’s final software-based solution does not need additional mechanical closure orientation as Neuron can detect defects 360° around the closure in a not yet achieved precision. No performance decrease anymore No additional investment in an expensive mechanical closure orientation station is needed and this is important in the in-line closure inspection business. It is a fact, that the precision of a rotational mechanical high-speed orientation on an in-line conveyor is never stable enough to work without pseudo rejects. Pseudo rejects generate higher production costs and a performance decrease which is inacceptable in a state-ofthe-art production line. A new opportunity for special closures With Neuron a detailed inspection of a great variety of very complex closure types in different markets is now possible. In the past it was not possible for a high-speed in-line system to reach all inspection expectations for speciality closures e.g. closures on beverage carton, sport, medical or pharma closures and many other market segments. A perfect combination with light and optics Of course an optimal application setup is key for a precise vision inspection. IMD said that with Neuron it is possible to reach a higher inspection level without a perfect application setup. Due to the artificial intelligence, Neuron is much more flexible to handle non-homogeneous or reflective areas. Retrofit as an important factor For IMD customers it will be possible to work with their existing standard IMDvista vision inspection systems. Depending on closure designs, almost all running lines are possible to upgrade without investment in a completely new system.","@ID":24}
"7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Executive board change in Engel Group Effective February 1st, 2022 Dr Stefan Engleder will take over all responsibilities from Christoph Steger. Dr Christoph Steger, hitherto Chief Sales Officer, is leaving the Engel Group at his own request. Background for his withdrawal is his wish to further develop himself vocationally and to change his career orientation. “We would like to thank Christoph Steger for his full commitment to Engel over the last 10 years”, highlights Dr Stefan Engleder, CEO of the Engel Group. “He has significantly contributed to the success of Engel within this period! At the same time, we would like to wish him all the best for his further professional and personal future.” www.engelglobal.com Starlinger delivers its first bottle-to-bottle plant to Turkey The food-grade PET recycling system will be suppl ied to rPET f lake producer Başatlı in April 2022. The recoSTAR PET 215 iV+ will be Starlinger’s first bottle-to-bottle recycling system operating in Turkey. It is equipped with one of the biggest extruder sizes that Starlinger recycling technology is currently building and produces up to 2,400 kg food-safe rPET per hour. The evaluation of the project by the European Food Safety Authority EFSA is currently underway. “Başatlı is one of the pioneers in PET bottle-to-bottle recycling in Turkey. We are happy that they have chosen PET recycling equipment from Starlinger for their ambitious project”, says Mr Paul Niedl, Commercial Head of Starlinger recycling technology. “With this investment, Başatlı is contributing significantly to establishing a PET bottle recycling system in Turkey.” Founded in 1953, family-owned Başatlı Boru Profil San. Tic.A.Ş. is a producer of industrial steel pipes, hollow sections and sheets located in Kocaeli Province. The company entered the PET recycling market in 2019 and produces PET flakes from bottles and post-consumer waste. The rPET flakes are used in non-food PET packaging, fibres and strapping production. The food-grade rPET pellets processed with Starlinger’s FDA, EFSA and brand owner-approved recycling equipment will be supplied to the bottle-to-bottle industry for preform production. www.starlinger.com www.basatli.com.tr/pet-fl ake EcoIbéria and WorldPET are now part of Logoplaste group Logoplaste announced that EcoIbéria and WorldPET, two leading companies in the production of recycled PET flakes and rPET, are now part of the Logoplaste group. Both companies, located in the North of Portugal, have experience in recycling PET, focusing on the transformation of post-consumer plastic bales into food grade recycled flakes and pellets. The transaction is still subject to customary regulatory approvals. Currently, Ecoibéria manages 47.500 tons of plastic a year – sorting, grinding, washing and transforming it into usable raw material for the plastics industry. For its part, WorldPET recently installed a new Erema Vacunite 2 system that is able to supply 12.000 tons of food grade rPET per year. Mr Jorge Lemos will remain as CEO of both businesses, helping to drive growth as well as ramp up the recently added capacity. For him this new partnership means: “The possibility to continue to evolve and develop an activity that is vital for the green economy. The partnership with Logoplaste aims to ensure that the company I founded in 2005, under the name Ecoibéria, plays an increasingly important role in the evolution of the PET recycling industry globally. Together, we will help society reach a balance in its consumption habits reducing the consumption of finite natural resources and increasing the usage of recycled materials. Above all, we want to contribute to a sustainable planet today and enabling a safe environment for future generations.” This acquisition is a strategic step for Logoplaste towards a circular economy for plastic packaging. The combination of Logoplaste with the recycling knowledge of EcoIbéria and WorldPET, is intended to allow the group to provide its customers with circular packaging solutions that drastically reduce carbon footprint and the impact on the environment. Logoplaste and its partners are committed to reach 100% of recyclable packaging and a target of 30% recycled content for beverage packaging by 2025. www.logoplaste.com Dr Christoph Steger, CSO Petcore Europe annual conference postponed until June due to pandemic The Petcore Europe Annual Conference 2-3rd February is postponed until 14-15th June due to the pandemic. After extensive consultation and consideration of all the circumstances surrounding the Petcore PET Conference, 2-3rd February, it has been decided to postpone the event until 14-15th June 2022. The uncertainty surrounding the Covid circumstances, considering the health and safety of attendees the delay has been chosen as the best alternative. The venue and facilities remain as planned at the Doubletree Hilton Brussels (Rue Gineste 3, 1210 Brussels). Tickets will automatically be applied to the rescheduled event. Conference – Day 1: Tuesday, 14th June 2022 Networking Event and Dinner: Tuesday, 14th June 2022 Conference – Day 2: Wednesday, 15th June 2022 Petcore Europe Management sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this may cause to all stakeholders, speakers, sponsors, media partners & attendees. www.petcore-europe.org","@ID":9}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 18 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Lightweight, ready-to-market solutions Recent months have seen the launch of some special solutions for the new 26 mm necks by Sacmi. These solutions are already in use on several projects on four continents. Advantages include the ability to save material on each cap and on preform production lines while simultaneously helping the industry transition to the new tethered standard. CAPS & CLOSURES The waste hierarchy Each year, the world produces 400 million tons of plastic. That amount is set to double over the next 20 years. Respected sources estimate that at least a third of the produced plastic will, at the end of the packaging life-cycle, end up in the environment. That’s why the market takes a 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) perspective, an approach guided both by increasing environmental awareness and strict new standards requiring manufacturers to use less virgin plastic. “Reduce” is the main, most effective option available to the closures industry and has a dual goal: to shrink the industry’s environmental footprint and to develop more efficient, more competitive industrial processes. The resin & design challenge Sacmi has years of experience in overcoming the technological challenges associated with weight reduction. On the most common closure standards (e.g. PCO 1881 and 26mm packages) this has led, over the last 10 years, to an average weight reduction of nearly 50%. New CSD caps, 30.41 and 30.40 (26mm) The latest lightweight Sacmi caps for bottles up to 3 liters are well established on the market (e.g. 30.41 and 30.40 necks in combination with, respectively, a lightweight 1.65 g cap and the new 1.75 g cap). These solutions have the advantage of cutting weight by up to 20% compared to a traditional PCO1881, without affecting cap performance like for instance seal and ease of opening which are non-negotiable features for brand owners. Compared to previous packages, total neck/cap weight savings amount to 1.5 g. This means that a line producing 400 million bottles per year, saves an average of 600 tons of plastic every year. To cope with the market transition, Sacmi is proposing solutions for GME30.40 caps both in a tethered and untethered configuration. For the tethered field Sacmi offers the new Delta Hinged and This Cap Hold Open, a comprehensive proposal capable of meeting every market need. From water trends to high-speed lines up to 38mm (juices) Light and ultra-light water closures have been enjoying considerable success for at least 10 years on world markets. They comprise a wide range of solutions that - especially on American and, more recently, African markets - can include caps weighing less than 1g, or even less. As far as the juice market is concerned, Sacmi recently launched 38mm lightweight designs that can also be moulded on the CCM24 and CCM48, thus covering the entire CCM range.These lines offer high output rates (up to 72,000 caps per hour with the 48-mould press, cycle time 2.4 seconds) a small footprint, and, in comparison to alternative technologies such as injection, a high level of performance. Returnables, a new frontier also for HDPE New EU policies are expected to increase the number of returnable bottles on the market (both glass and PET). These containers require that the cap be easily separated from the bottle, so the anti-tamper band must remain attached to the cap itself. Here too, Sacmi is ready with solutions that meet these needs. www.sacmi.com","@ID":20}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 8 The European Road Show to Drinktec 2022 is underway Will it all be different? And if so, how exactly? The Editourmobil is back in Europe! In the most exciting project we have implemented since the annual Road Shows, the PETplanet Team is working in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic to highlight the current challenges, strategies and opportunities for the European PET sector. The global crisis has put the global economy, global requirements and consumer behaviour to the test. Conservative sectors, some operating constantly for decades, have been knocked around, forced to rethink on the fly and restructure themselves to suit the new situation. The way we communicate, invest and consume has undergone lasting change during the pandemic and the climate crisis. In many places, digitalisation has undergone massive expansion and remodelling; topics like health, sustainability, logistics and e-commerce have received an unprecedented boost and are once again the topics of our time. How can we achieve our future climate goals and structure production with greater added value? How can we ensure continuity and become more self-sufficient while maintaining competitiveness? What trends have arisen both because of and during the pandemic? And what adjustments must be made so we can offer our customers and partners security paired with good service? We want to discuss all these topics and much more on the European Road Show.","@ID":10}
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 37 TRADE SHOW REVIEW tic Science by Design, a company that assists plastic converters and their customers, when challenged by plastic material science. The presentation delivered by her business partner Mr Frank Doorenbosch demonstrated, via real-life case studies, how innovative materials and approaches can produce stark improvements in costs, quality and performance. This was followed by a V-Demo screened on behalf of CMG Granulators. CMG’s range of size reduction equipment provides an invaluable service to recycling in the plastic packaging industry. It includes granulators specifically designed for blow moulded products. To a lay person, size reduction may sound trivial; it is, however, a complex, often challenging operation which includes metal detection and removal, dedusting, precise cutting, screening, frictionless transportation, air filtering, etc. With a wide range of throughputs (30-1,500kg/h), these granulation lines can deal with a broad variety of needs and product sizes. The next V-Demo, screened on behalf of And & Or, focused on the shift to Industry 4.0. The video demonstrated how a complete preform injection and stretch blow moulding plant can be run fully automatically, through the use of automated mobile robots handling the entire flow of materials and products throughout the facility. The complete robotisation of intra-factory logistics results in cost and energy efficiency, improved safety and better management of processes and information. The presentation by Mr Tangui Van Der Elst, co-founder and Board Member at Keiryo Packaging Technologies, described a novel, patented methodology (albeit based on established science) of increasing the performance of polymeric materials such as PET, by using flow enhanced nucleation and induced crystallisation. The company proposes this improvement in existing processes, via the retrofitting of a special accessory, designed to precisely control the rheological regime. Next it was the turn of Prof. Rudolf J. Koopmans, Director General of the Plastics Innovation Competence Center, who provided a strategic view of the route towards sustainability. Based on statistical information and science, he showed that, in most instances, alternative packaging materials are not ecologically superior to plastics. Instead, by employing a multi-pronged approach, enhanced with concepts such as life cycle and biomimetics, science can lead the planet to a better future. The proceedings ended with another keynote presentation, delivered by Mr Nicolas Hodac, Director General of Unesda – the European Association of Soft Drinks. Mr Hodac presented in detail the impact of European legislation on the future of packaging. A key driver of that legislation is the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Among other things, this seeks to gradually phase out singleuse plastic packaging. Unesda and its member companies have responded with Circular Vision 2030, a complex programme aimed at making packaging fully circular. Throughout the presentations programme, the audience participated actively with pertinent questions, comments and opinions. Before adjourning the proceedings, the Conference Chair congratulated Mr Tom Palmer, Global Product Manager – Plastics at Greif, who won the Chair’s Prize for the Best Questions. This fifth edition was sponsored by a number of distinguished companies, each a leader in its respective field of activity: Sidel, KHS, W. Müller EBM Technology, Sipa, Erema, Tomra and Autefa. PETplanet was the Media Partner, while the European Plastics Converters association (EuPC) acted as supporting organisation. Blow Moulding 2022 will take place on 30th November – 1st December, again in Brussels. www.blow-moulding.com product development caps & closures design high cavitation moulds multi-component moulds closure production systems after sales service competent – professional – inspiring +43 5572 7272-0 | sales@z-moulds.com | www.z-moulds.com","@ID":39}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 9 Sponsors to date The worldwide round trip with EDITOURS Back to Europe The second part of PETplanet’s bipartite Drinktec Editour is right ahead! After the successful first part “From Down Under to Japan” in 2020, our second stage of the project takes us back to the flourishing European hub where we will be exploring the latest technologies, news, innovations and developments that move our PET industry. It is time for a new start, for renewal and for developing new ways of thinking. During and especially after the pandemic, it will be vital to make every effort to get the global economy back on track in the medium term. Sustainability will be the key. Once again, PETplanet will be at the forefront. It will again be a partner in Drinktec, the world’s leading beverage trade fair, which is to be held in Munich from 12-16 September 2022. After the success of our previous Drinktec Road Shows, in 2017 in South East Asia and 2020 in Australasia, we will be back on the road in Europe for a whole year. Starting in Autumn 2021 with our Editourmobil, we will be ready for a new get-together with the industry. We will be revealing the results of our meetings and discussions at Drinktec with the leading thinkers in PET processing, packaging and recycling. Apart from new technologies we will be also taking stock of how things stand. We will be asking how global thinking might change as a result of Covid-19. How will bilateral business relationships cope with the aftermath of the pandemic? What opportunities will there be for the drinks industry and its suppliers? Our planning, in terms of precise timeframes and details of the countries to be visited will be flexible, in order to take account of the rapidly changing pandemic situation. However, this much we can confidently say: in these challenging times we, as the voice of the PET industry, will be at the very heart of the roadshow as usual and are already looking forward to welcoming you back on board the Editourmobil! Share this exciting experience with us! Interested in being interviewed? barton@hbmedia.net Let Your Inspiration Flow. The European Road Show PART2 Empowered by drinktec Interested in becoming a Sponsor? sales@hbmedia.net Autumn 2021 - 2022","@ID":11}
"30 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net Production of complex closures Maca Engineering, Arol Group, announces an increased demand for complex closures from three to six pieces. Those premium products require to cut and assemble components according to the design chosen by the customer. Maca Engineering designs and produces tailormade machines and complete lines for manufacturing, assembling, and cutting these closures. For an Indian customer, the company has realised a slittingassembly machine for a 3-piece plastic cap for the liquor market, the model ITV8-ARV1616. The ITV8 slitting station makes the slitting of the tamper evident ring on the outer sleeve. ARV1616 is an assembly machine with 2 flywheels with 16 punches each. The first flywheel is dedicated to the assembly of the plastic pourer into previously slit outer sleeve coming from the slitting station. The second flywheel inserts the glass ball into the assembled outer sleeve and pourer. ITV series slitting machines are suitable for slitting the tamper evident ring on long caps (from H30 to H60mm). The machine features two overlapped flywheels: the upper one is equipped with heads, the lower one is fitted with columns that are driven by a cam for the insertion of caps into the heads and for the following unloading after processing. The knife/blade is heated, and it is positioned inside the machine. The temperature is controlled by a thermo-regulator: water cooling system with external conditioner and forced circulation of the cooling water. All Maca Engineering machines are tested with the customer in presence so that smooth and correct operation can be verified. Reliability of the after-sales service is assured since the technicians who assemble the machine are the same who will oversee commissioning on site. www.arol-group.com Caps & Closures PETproducts Slitting-assembly machine","@ID":32}
"PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 35 TRADE SHOW REVIEW 35 TRADE SHOW REVIEW showed how PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy stands on three pillars: Reduce, Recycle, Reinvent. This was followed by another keynote speaker: Mr Gian De Belder, Technical Director R&D Packaging Sustainability at Procter & Gamble. Focused on sustainability, his presentation touched on several initiatives and case studies, including intelligent sorting (for instance via Digital Watermarks), data mining and consumer engagement. Interestingly, both Ms Gabellini and Mr De Belder stressed the key importance of collaboration across the entire supply chain. It is only by involving all the links that real progress can be made towards circular, sustainable packaging solutions. Mr Konrad Senn, Head of Development Line Solutions & Plastics Technologies at Krones AG, presented a comparative review of modern preform heating technologies: microwave, laser and infrared. While it is clear that efficient, rapid and uniform heating is of utmost importance, how should such heating be best achieved? The detailed analysis revealed the advantages and drawbacks of each technology and how they can be best designed and deployed to achieve optimal efficiency, quality and throughput. We are all familiar with equipment demonstrations at trade fairs: entire production lines are set up and operated at great effort and cost, to show potential customers the latest innovations. Blow Moulding 2021 has pioneered a new concept: V-Demo (or Video Demonstration). These professionally developed videos showcase products in actual operation, making the audience aware of the latest improvements and innovations. The first such V-Demo was screened on behalf of the KHS Group. The video highlighted the company’s holistic approach in support of packaging sustainability efforts. Equipment manufactured by KHS provides comprehensive solutions for increased use of rPET, as well as innovations resulting in better energy, material and cost efficiency, while preserving high levels of product quality. In another V-Demo, Sacmi Imola showcased a new technology called Compression Blow Forming. Starting from PS, PET or HDPE granules, this new process combines two established technologies: compression moulding and stretch blow moulding. This results in lighter, high quality and highly reproducible containers, with fewer internal stresses and a more efficient use of material and energy resources. Prof. Thomas MuellerKirschbaum is a former Head of R&D and Sustainability at Henkel. He currently helps other companies design and implement sustainability strategies. Entitled ‘InnoSwiss Made | www.imdvista.ch IMDvista NEURON Detailed 360° closure inspection with no need of closure orientation based on Artificial Intelligence Let’s talk about your solution","@ID":37}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 16 Tour Sponsors: household, industrial and agrichemical products. Its geographical focus is on the UK and Ireland at present. We met on 13 December 2021, the second anniversary of Chris Phelan’s appointment as CEO. The immediate past two years have seen a lot of changes in structure and direction. Stability and viability The objective is for First Circle to be a profitable operation and it is not intending to go for volume at any price. “The immediate priority was to restabilise the dairy business, which had been operating at a loss, and to get the finances and commercial model under control. One of the first targets was waste. We are interested in growing profitably, rather than building turnover at any cost” said CEO Chris Phelan. “We were seeing 16% waste in production runs,” he continued. “While we can reprocess a lot of our waste internally and reuse this, its costs energy and money, so it was not sustainable.” Waste has been brought down dramatically, to less than six per cent, but Chris isn’t resting on any laurels. The business continues to review its cost base and ensure it manufactures its products in the most cost effective and efficient way. In contrast to the decision to focus on domestic markets it has scoured the world for raw material suppliers, both to ensure security of supply and to address cost issues. This was bound to happen, as part of the strategic expansion into new markets, but Covid-related disruptions highlighted vulnerabilities within the supply chain – the company had only two main suppliers when it was acquired by Greybull – and threw into sharp relief those businesses that wanted to work collaboratively over the longer term, and those with narrower horizons. Expansion into PET – from a low base “Our products have previously been exclusively HDPE and prior to the acquisition the business had been totally focused on the dairy sector,” he said. “We are reviewing the current machine landscape in the factory to enable us to operate more efficiently, along with installing new machinery and equipment – some engineers from ADS (Acme Drinktec Solutions, an Indian single-stage mould manufacturing company) have been on-site supporting the installation of new toolsets, which will be totally dedicated to PET bottles.” PET is currently a small proportion of First Circle’s overall bottle output but it is currently engaged in a big programme of investment. The first PET bottles are scheduled to roll off the new machinery in January 2022, so there was a buzz of urgency and focus about the place. ADS was selected in preference to other suppliers because of its quality and speed of delivery time. From a complete standing start, First Circle expects PET to reach over five per cent of total output during 2022. The first customer to engage with the new line is MyFabulosa, based in the north-west of England, which makes a range of ethical and vegan household cleaning, laundry and air freshening products. The packages First Circle is making for them are heavier than for food or beverage, which is appropriate for a container that will be handled a lot. They have a high-gloss, glass-like finish, and contain around 30% rPET. Recycled material is not a new thing for the business; it has been heavily involved in rHDPE for some years, initially introducing it in 2007, into milk bottles it supplied to Marks & Spencer. First Circle is fully dedicated to single-stage production of bottles. Its raw material is HDPE pellets (and a rising proportion of PET), with a finished bottle at the end. It is not involved in preforms at all. Realigning the factory floor Greg Ward led us on a tour of the factory floor. The facility is spread across three adjacent units in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Newport Pagnell. Its main machinery suppliers are Nissei ASB; Nissei PET single stage, Magic and Uniloy EBM. The Magic EBM all-electric large capacity HDPE machines will mostly be dedicated to large industrial packaging containers. Building One houses its EBM Uniloy machines. Finished bottles from there go into Building Two, for semiautomatic palletisation into stillages. Building Three previously had eight Uniloy dairy machines. Just two were there during PETplanet Insider’s visit; they are shortly to be relocated to Building One, which will then be purely for dairy packaging. The change in machine landscape will enable more efficient use of space, with an additional 30% of warehousing, within the same footprint. Building Three will then be devoted entirely to non-dairy packaging, with production from its Magic machines repurposed to personal care and household, plus Nissei ASB PET machines. The power and support infrastructure is already in place for further investment. “Plant services and high-pressure system has been installed to support additional Nissei machines. If we could buy some more PET machines we would do so, tomorrow,” Chris explained. “The hydro-electric four-pump system has been removed and is being relocated to the Livingston plant. As well as new machinery, Newport Pagnell has been equipped with new flooring, new lighting and ABB robotic orientation and alignment, trimming and packing equipment.” Return on investment All the investment is already starting to pay off. Production and business management systems are also being upgraded, with a new MMS (manufacturing management system) and ERP scheduled to be installed during 2022. The productivity improvements have been pretty immediate and quite significant. “The business has gained real traction over the past 24 months and this continues with it moving into the PET space, although we still have a way to go in delivering our long-term strategy,” Chris Phelan concluded. www.fi rstcircle.group","@ID":18}
"CAPS & CLOSURES 28 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net iQ weight control for caps & closures Boosting process stability Authors: DI Christoph Lhota, Vice President Packaging at Engel, DI Karlheinz Mayr, Head of smart machine Development at Engel Quality control is good, but a stable process is even better. An unchanging process may not be a guarantee, but it is both an indicator and a prerequisite for consistent part quality. Smart assistance systems contribute to this. For example, iQ weight control by Engel, which is used worldwide in the manufacture of technical parts and automotive components, among others. In addition, significant quality improvements are now also achieved in highperformance applications with very short cycle times. Fluctuations in ambient conditions and raw material change the flow properties of the plastic melt during injection and can impact on the quality of the moulded parts. In the worst case, the result is rejects, and this can quickly become very expensive in the manufacture of caps & closures with extremely short cycle times and very high cavity counts. Smart assistance systems which continuously analyse and automatically adjust qualitycritical parameters open up huge potential, even in high-performance applications, as Engel is able to demonstrate based on tests using iQ weight control. Consistent quality In each individual cycle, iQ weight control analyses the pressure and screw position profile in real time during the injection phase and compares the measured values with a reference cycle. On this basis, new process parameters are calculated and process settings are automatically readjusted for the on-going cycle. This closed loop process control influences the speed profile during injection, the switchover point and the holding pressure profile without lengthening the cycle time. In this way, fluctuations in environmental conditions and in the processed material are automatically compensated for. iQ weight control thus ensures a consistently high product quality and reduces rejects to a minimum. Batch changes without process adjustment In order to demonstrate the performance of iQ weight control in high-performance applications, injection moulding tests were carried out with, among others, a 96-cavity mould for 29/25 caps for still water from Plasti-sud. A type MB7541 HDPE by Borealis with an MFI of 12 was processed. The part weight was 1.25g, resulting in a total shot weight of 120g. An all-electric 380-tonne injection moulding machine from the Engel e-cap series was used; Engel developed this machine specifically for caps & closures production. The cycle time of this application is less than 2 seconds with an injection time of less than 0.3 seconds. In order to assess the performance of iQ weight control, targeted process changes were deliberately provoked, among other things by changing the raw material batch several times. The changes resulted in the critical quality characteristics of the caps produced being outside the tolerance range. The injected melt volume, for CAPS & CLOSURES Engel developed the all-electric e-cap machine series specifically for caps & closures production. In the production of 29/25 caps on an Engel e-cap injection moulding machine with a 96-cavity mould, iQ weight control is claimed to more than double process stability. The cycle time ( 2s) doesn’t change.","@ID":30}
"EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 01+02/22 petpla.net 10 Insular or Global? by Ruari McCallion The United Kingdom – officially, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of these, England is by far the largest and, economically, the most dominant although, politically, the smaller nations have punched above their weight. The UK is the world’s fifth-largest economy and second only to Germany in wider Europe. Its economy is dominated by service industries; it is a global financial centre, with capital-raising resources dating back centuries. The country can claim to be the cradle of the Industrial Revolution but it now ranks eighth or ninth in the list of the world’s manufacturing economies (depending on definition) and less than nine per cent of its GDP is from manufacturing activities. Germany’s manufacturing sector contributes over 20% of total GDP. The UK’s largest manufacturing sector is Food & Drink, with 16.5% of total manufacturing GDP, followed by Transport, including automotive (13.9%) and Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (13.8%) which should lead to packaging production being equally large. It is significant but packaging is well down the list of manufacturing sectors. Rubber, plastics and nonmetallic minerals segment accounts for 7.3% of total manufacturing GDP, with machinery slightly larger, at 8.4%. there are no UK-based producers to match Canada’s Husky, the German network or Italy’s cluster. The Food & Drink sector is mature and significantly concentrated. Nonalcoholic beverages and energy drinks are overwhelmingly produced by a small number of large companies: Coca-Cola (including Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Schweppes), Britvic (which is the UK licensee for PepsiCo, Lipton Ice Tea, 7-Up and Gatorade), Suntory and Red Bull. Packaging – foreign ownership; zero-carbon challenges The UK’s packaging manufacturing industry as a whole employs some 85,000 people and has sales in excess of £11 bn (€13 bn). Much of the industry is owned by non-UK based companies. The Packaging Federation says that the decisions to invest or not in the UK have adversely influenced by perceptions of unilateral actions by the UK in pursuit of a low carbon economy (including carbon floor pricing) and the lack of a coherent strategy on the availability and pricing of energy and warns that there is a real danger that such policies – or lack of them – may seriously impact continued investment and employment in the industry’s UK manufacturing facilities. Indorama Ventures, a global leader in the production and supply of PET, closed its UK plant, located in Workington, NW England, in December 2017. Investment the other direction has been led by Alpek Polyester, which acquired the 26-hectare former Lotte Chemical UK site in Wilton, near Redcar, NE England, in January 2020. The site, which is 350 km from London, has the capacity to produce over 350,000 tonnes of PET resin chips annually. Beverage performance – growth in smoothies, health and energy drinks According to Mintel, total combined sales volumes of fruit juice, juice drinks and smoothies declined by 10.5% between 2014 and 2019. Sales fell 1.4% over the same period; revenues were estimated at £4.6bn (€5.5 bn) in 2019. The smoothies segment actually went the other way during the period, posting strong Plastic packaging placed on the market (POM) thousand tonnes 2017 2019 Change t % Grocery 948 987 39 4% Non-Grocery 584 460 -124 -21% Consumer 1,532 1,447 -85 -6% Agriculture 37 37 0 0% Construction & Demolition 62 76 14 23% Retail Back of Store 126 100 -26 -21% Hospitality 196 220 24 12% Manufacturing & Other 409 409 0 0% Non-consumer 830 842 12 1% Overall POM 2,362 2,289 -73 -3% Source & copyright by: WRAP Plastics Market Situation Report 2021 Macro-economic data United Kingdom 2019 2020 2021* Population (millions) 66.8 67.1 67,4 Population growth p.a. 0.6% 0.6% 0,70% GDP (current prices, trillions) US$ 2.83 US$ 2.71 US$2.89 GDP growth rate (real) 1.7% -9.7% 6.5% GDP per capita (current prices) US$ 43,070 US$ 41,125 US$46,744 Import (billions) US$ 918.9 US$ 765 US$798 Export (billions) US$ 892.5 US$ 770.5 US$772 National debt of GDP 85,2% 104,5% 96.1% Unemployment rate 3.8% 4.5% 4.2% Inflation 1.7% 1% 4.6% *estimated","@ID":12}
