PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2011

PRODUCTS 50 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 04/11 www.petpla.net Aseptic linerless closure technology Portola Packaging, Inc., of Illinois, USA, has announced the commercial launch of a new linerless plug closure technology that meets the standards required for aseptic beverage pack- ages. The product, named Steri-Shield, is compression moulded in a proprietary resin blend that includes HDPE. Portola claims that the lightweight closure does not crack or back off during the sterilisation and/or distribution process and can withstand an aseptic sterilization environment of up to 140°F. The plug closures can be made in sizes ranging from 38 to 43mm, with or without a tamper-evident band. The cap is suitable for a wide variety of aseptically-filled beverages, including juices, isotonics, dairy, energy drinks, milk, vitamin waters, drinkable yogurt and teas. Aseptic products have traditionally used closures with ther- moplastic elastomer (TPE) or foil liners to achieve seal integrity for both low- and high-acid beverages. By eliminating the liners, Portola says that the plug design helps minimise package cost and contributes to material source reduction. Commercialisation is being backed by internally-developed shelf-life testing proto- cols to predict the performance of the plug closure over time. Computer modelling was used to accurately project shelf life and other performance attributes. www.portpack.com Faster detection of microbiological contamination Döhler, which produces additives, ingredients and technologies for the food and beverage industries, has announced the launch of a new analysis system for yeast, moulds and bacteria in water, the company claims its Trans-Fast system can cut analysis and detection times by 75%, from 96 to 24h. Trans- Fast Gel, which is supplied ready-to use, eliminates the need to liquefy agar or to keep it warm. The liquid gel promotes the flow of nutrients to possible contamination sources, allowing contamination to be spotted early. The Trans- Fast system includes a back-lit incubation lightbox, in which the sample tubes are lined up next to each other in front of the light source. The direct lighting of the transparent samples allows any possible contamination to be identified immediately. There is no need for Petri dishes, allowing the evaluation time to be reduced by up to 90%. Trans-Fast is an addition to Döhler’s range of micro- biologically selective nutrient media, which are marketed under the Döhler Microsafety Design brand and are intended for quality assurance in production of beer, water and non-alcoholic beverages. www.doehler.com Recycling line recoSTAR PET iV+ Ongoing PET recycling innovation, quality and state-of-the-art technology, a full range of consulting services – brought to you by Starlinger. Visit us at: Brasilplast May 9 – 13, São Paulo, Brazil Plastpol May 24 – 27, Kielce, Poland www.recycling.starlinger.com Upgraded granulators Nuga AG Kunststoffschneid- mühlen, Germany, has launched an updated range of CentriCut granula- tors, designed for grinding plastics and rubber. Available as standalone or in-line systems, the range extends from the Type 33r for small- and medium- sized parts, sprues and hollow items with a maximum throughput of 500kg/h, through to the Type 44slr, which has a maximum throughput of 2,500kg/h. A major focus of the upgrade is wear protection. Nuga has developed its own wear-tester; the company says that application of the results of tests have enabled it to raise the service life of typ- ical wear parts across the entire range of CentriCut granulators substantially. The new range is claimed to offer users low maintenance, long uptimes and reduction of costs in recycling rubber and plastics. In addition, the machines do not require a cooling agent, which further helps to save costs in recycling rubber. www.nuga.ch