PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2012

CAPPING / CLOSURES 32 PET planet insider Vol. 13 No. 10+02/12 www.petpla.net Bericap has developed a range of solutions to match the drive for lighter bottles with slimmer closure systems Slimmer means fitter Competitive pressures in the food and beverage market compels companies to consider all possible cost reduction measures, one of which is lightweight packaging. As well as cutting the use – and therefore cost – of raw materials, lightweighting also helps to reduce a company’s CO 2 emissions. Lighter weight packaging is an important element in the carbon footprint improvement programmes initiated by many companies. PET bottles have significantly slimmed down over the last decade; the effort to save raw materials extends to closure systems and Bericap has developed a range of lightweight closures for food and beverages. PCO 1881 - Lightweight neck for 28mm CSD Probably the first and certainly the best-known lightweight neck stand- ards is the 28mm PCO 1881, devel- oped within ISBT (International Soci- ety of Beverage Technologists) for carbonated beverages, such as soft drinks or water. It delivers a weight saving of around 26%, compared to its predecessor. Bericap has, mean- while, developed different DoubleSeal SuperShorty(DS SuS) variants: the DS SuS CSD and the DS SuS Eco, which are both suitable for carbonated beverages with up to 8g CO 2 /l. Both versions have variants for still bever- ages and water: DS SuS CSD Still and DS SuS Still. Bericap says that this provides the bottler with the ability to run two closure types, with two dif- ferent weights, for different products but with the same chuck and helps to reduce costs for those bottlers filling, e.g. CSD and water on the same fill- ing line. Depending on the filled prod- uct and related closure types, weight savings of up to 20% are feasible. All the company’s closure variants are equipped with the Bericap DoubleSeal system, which is designed to ensure a safe seal and to achieve very good CO 2 -retention. Still variants have an anti-sabotage feature. Water closures set light weight standards The highest weight savings over the last couple of years have been achieved in still water packaging. Both the bottles themselves and the closures have become significantly lighter. The 30/25 closure/neck com- bination is the main system used for still water in Europe and Asia. A 26.7mm closure type is mainly used in North America, but also in India and Italy. Bericap developed two alterna- tive closure solutions in the quest for lightness. The HexaLite 29/11 FB fitting for 30mm necks offers a weight saving of around 30% for closure and neck, compared to the 30/25. These closures are in the roll-out phase in Europe, have already enjoyed signifi- cant sales in China and are now being launched into the Indian market. The HexaLite 26/10 FB together with the 26mm neck offers up to 41% lower weight for the 26.7mm closure and neck. The HexaLite 26/10 FB was introduced in partnership with a major global water brand in North America and China, some time ago. In Ger- many, the lightweight HexaLite clo- sure was introduced to offer discount chains a cost-competitive alternative to the 26.7mm closure. The closure will be introduced to the Italian market during 2012 as a replacement for the 26.7mm system, with the offer of resin saving and reduced CO 2 consumption. The HexaLite 26 FB is also an alter- native for bottlers currently using the PET 30/25 neck, over which it offers weight savings of around 50%. All HexaLite closures are equipped with a slit and folded safety band (flexband) for tamper-evidence and reliable per- formance, on high-speed lines. The sealing system has been designed for maximum tightness. For on-the- go consumption, the light-weighted 2-piece Sportscap Thumb’Up for the either the 29/25 or PET 26/22 neck is available. Smaller diameters for ‘on-the-go’ packs The usual size of closure fitted to ‘on-the-go’ packs for fruit juice and energy drinks is 38mm. How- ever, consumer studies have shown that smaller neck sizes, between 32 to 35mm, are more convenient for drinking. In response to pressure for greater consumer convenience and customers’ cost saving efforts, Bericap and various industry partners developed a lightweight 33mm neck along with the DoubleSeal 33screw cap. The neck/closure combination is claimed to offer weight savings of around 30%, compared to traditional solutions. DoubleSeal 33 is equipped with a folded tamper-evident band for safe opening, and a particular design of the sealing lip that is intended to ensure product integrity. It can be disinfected with all standard methods known for aseptic filling. Lightweight closure for edible oil New 26/21 neck finish and closures Most of the 1l PET bottles used by the edible oil industry have a standard 29/21 neck finish, weighing 2.74g. Bericap has been developing DoubleSeal 33 Light weighting SPECIAL