PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2014

PET bottles 44 PET planet insider Vol. 15 No. 01+02/14 www.petpla.net Beverages & Liquid Food On the square PET Power is expanding its range of bottles with the launch of a completely new standard family of packages, which it has named “Carpo Square”. Despite the name, it actually combines different shapes into a single package. The lower part of the bottle is square, with rounded corners, and progresses to a neck that is cylindrical and conical, giving the upper part of the bottle a different look and feel. The change is deliberate. All three bottles in the family are produced with a 38SP400 neck finish, which means they can be combined with many standard closures, including dispensing closure systems. While the shape may not suit all products, PET Power says that it offers product managers the opportunity to opt for packag- ing that stands out on the shelf. The model can be used for fruit juices, for dressings or other types of sauces, and for cosmetic and personal care products such as bath salts and skincare products. In terms of finishes, the square lower part of the bottle can easily a label, while a close-fitting sleeve can emphasise its different shape, according to PET Power, and the bottles can be produced in a wide range of colours. www.petpower.eu Rightweight strikes the right balance Sidel claims that its new RightWeight 0.5 l PET bottle for still water can result in significantly less weight while maintaining or increasing bottle performance, without affecting product quality. The new bottle weighs 7.95g but the company says that it offers top-load performance of 33kg, without nitrogen dosing, using standard 26/22 caps. Part of this new design was an evolution of the standard 26/22 neck finish, which has been re-designed to save an extra 15% of weight, while maintaining compatibility with existing standard 26/22 caps. The increased resistance of the RightWeight bottle is claimed to help to eliminate the ‘over squeeze’ issue often experienced by end consumers when using ultra-light bottles, which can lead to accidental spillage of contents. Increased resistance also makes it easier for consum- ers to unscrew the cap as well as making it more likely to retain its appearance after transportation to retail outlets. Sidel says that the combination of lower weight, improved topload performance and elimination of the need for nitro- gen assistance could lead to cost savings of up to €1.75 million/a. The new RightWeight bottle can be adapted to exist- ing production lines that use standard cap formats. Blow- ing pressure is 20 bar. Design elements can be adapted for existing or new commercial bottle designs as needed. Accompanying Sidel RightWeight moulds and line conver- sions can ensure production lines fully unlock the benefits of the new bottle designs. The bottle can be used for all Sidel PET packaging solutions and output speeds for still water, including the new Sidel Matrix system for liquid packaging. www.sidel.com/rightweight