PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2010

PREFORM PRODUCTION 17 PET planet insider Vol. 11 No. 07+08/10 www.petpla.net equates to approximately US$585 or €475. There are other savings, which help to offset initial investment and achieve return on investment (ROI) in a reasonable period. “As well as savings in materials, the design also helps to reduce energy costs.” As the preforms are lighter than round base equivalents, transportation costs may also be favourably affected. Applications The conical base design is not currently being used for hot-fill; it is primarily to be found in aseptic, CSD and water bottles. Its first appearance was in an oil bottle; as it was found to be acceptable and effective, it moved into food and beverage and the patent granted in China is also being applied for in other countries. Other mould manufacturers have adopted the design, under licence, but who they are remains commercially confiden- tial, for the moment. However, GDXL says that other moulds in its range are suitable for products made by major companies such as Husky, Sidel, Krones and SIG/KHS, as well as other producers. Its conical base design is suitable for PET bottles ranging from 300ml water bottles up to 20l oil bot- tles. About GDXL GDXL was founded in 1993 and now employs around 380 people – approximately 100 of whom are R&D engineers. It specialises in the design and manufacture of PET blow moulding equipment for the food and beverage, health and beauty, and pharmaceutical industries. Its current blow-mould capacity stands at 10,000 cavities a year; pre- form mould capacity is 8,000/a. It also licences its designs to other producers. Annual sales turnover amounts to approximately US$30 million (RMB 200,000,000). Its cold half preform moulds are suitable for up to 144 cavity machines, with neck finishes 28mm (PC 1716, 1810, and 1881) and 38mm. ‘Complete set’ preform moulds are appli- cable for one to 72 cavities on various different preform injection systems. It also makes a com- plete range of components and parts. GDXL will be launching a new compression mould for cap manufacture in Q3 of 2010. It has capabilities in R&D for bottles, preforms, test runs, and marketing and feasibility studies. Customers include Coca- Cola; Pepsi; Danone, Suntory and San Miguel. Dimensions of the neck, both in height and diameter, remain exactly the same for both a traditional round base and GDXL’s conical base