PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2013

BOTTLE MAKING 45 PET planet insider Vol. 14 No. 10/13 www.petpla.net BOTTLE MAKING mmm$he[Z[hi$Z[ Y O U R PA R T N E R F O R B L OW MO U L D S . STEPS TO THE PERFECT BOTTLE. >YZV 9Zh^\c IZX]cdad\n BVcj[VXijg^c\ 8bem CekbZ &%% HZgk^XZ BZZi jh Vi @ '%&( ^c 9hhZaYdg[ Ä =Vaa & $ :'+# 45 kegs are expensive, and time-consuming to produce, and the long distance transporta- tion costs involved in returning the kegs are high.” The name Dolium, by the way, refers to the Latin word for an earthen vase or bulk container for wine or food. The idea of long distance transport is as such implicitly in our product name. Hole-through-the-wall production Beginning 2013, the first Dolium beer kegs were produced in Innocan’s Antwerp factory. The kegs are produced in a two stage blow moulding process. Innocan uses monolayer preforms, produced from a blended preforms mix of PET and active, passive barrier material and UV barriers. The beer keg targets to offer a high quality alter- native for a competitive price which should stimulate beer exports. Alain Cap, General Director Innocan commented on the co-operation with Dis- pack: “This is a good example of our “hole- through-the wall”-principle. Dispack projects has its own assembly-unit in our factory in Antwerp. In that way we generate a close cooperation which results in tailor made innovation.” The Dolium beer keg is compatible with existing filling and draught equipment. A Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) ensures safe operation. The keg is equipped with a self- closing valve which enables intermediate cleaning or disconnection. The keg can be stored and transported either horizontally or vertically. It can withstand dropping and can be rolled. In a further development, Dolium has recently been launched as a 20l one- way beer keg. Sustainable production processes Sustainability is regarded an important issue at Innocan. The company puts a lot of effort in a continuous analysis of internal and external logistic functions in order to develop more environmentally friendly pro- duction processes. Innocan aims to reduce its ecological footprint by producing 100% recyclable PET kegs either with its “hole- through-the wall” on-site production, or else by establishing production facilities adjacent to their customers. www.dolium.be www.innocan.eu