PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2012

BARRIER TECHNOLOGY 23 PET planet insider Vol. 13 No. 12/12 www.petpla.net Graham Packaging launches 24-ounce hot-fill PET barrier jar for food PET tames hot sauces Graham Packaging has launched a high clarity, 24-ounce hot-fill PET jar for food applica- tions, such as salsa, red sauces, etc. The 63 mm, round, wide-mouth stock jar also incor- porates the company’s new, patent-pending StarFlex base technology and its Monosorb oxygen barrier system. Manufacturing smaller PET con- tainers, which provide adequate bar- rier properties for food applications, has traditionally been challenging. “Surface to volume” ratios of smaller containers negatively impact shelf life by allowing a larger amount of oxygen to migrate through the sidewall and into the product. Graham, however, has been able to address those performance issues with Monosorb monolayer PET bar- rier technology. This barrier system, one of several offered by Graham, features a scavenger which absorbs oxygen passing through the side walls, providing longer shelf life for food products. The 24-ounce jar also features Graham’s new generation StarFlex base technology. Improved mate- rial distribution in the jar’s standing ring and heel makes it resistant to dents and vacuum creasing. The new design elements, including invert- ing the fluting in the base, trap less food and improve product evacuation by allowing a spoon to neatly travel around the entire heel. Additionally, a stacking feature allows one container to be stacked on top of another on the retail shelf by locking the cap of the bottom jar into the base of the top jar. The round container shows ribs to resist ovalisation during the cooling period which follows hot-filling (195 - 200°F). “The geometry of the struc- tural elements in the base and the ribs in the sidewall have been specifically designed to facilitate evacuation. A spoon can flow over both with ease minimising the chance of the food product ‘hanging up’ in the jar,” said Arnold. Converting 24-ounce food prod- ucts from glass to PET also opens up new merchandising for food retailers and usage opportunities for consum- ers. For example, the shatter-resistant jars can be placed into end-of-aisle barrel displays, which are discouraged with glass. Smaller volume PET con- tainers are also suitable for recrea- tional uses such as outdoor events. www.grahampackaging.com sumer is well understood and controlled. It can accommodate seasonal produc- tion and market demands, weather variables, temperature requirements and more. These logistical improvements mean that several of the variables that used to negatively impact beverage shelf life have been eliminated. Another factor is the length of time consumers keep products in their homes. Earlier generations would tend to keep a decent “at home” food reserve in case of emergency. This also extended to certain beverage items. The demands for longer home storage dictated that products deliver a longer shelf life. Since most consumers no longer feel the need to “stockpile” food and beverage items, those shelf life requirements have also been eliminated. The reality is that we are living differently than we were even as recently as ten years ago. As such, many food and beverage products are now consumed faster than before. What used to be a desirable shelf life target of twleve months or more is frequently no longer necessary. It can be revised down to six months, for example, without negatively impacting beverage quality. Having a more realistic approach to actual shelf life will directly influence the level of barrier packaging needed. It also creates an opportunity for carbon footprint reduction by light weighting or by reducing barrier layer or content. However, no discussion on packaging would be complete without including economics. Remember, you have not only expended more money to produce a heavier package, but you will also be spending additional money to ship it. It’s also important to remember that when products have been engineered for a longer shelf life, you are theoreti- cally tying up monetary assets for the same length of time. The shorter the lifecycle; the faster the return. In conclusion, this is a perfect exam- ple of how “we’ve always done it this way,” may not be the correct solution for sensitive beverage products. Understand your product lifecycle and your market- ing objectives before you overspend on creating a package that delivers more than your beverage needs. www.plastics-technologies.com www.pti-europe.com