PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2016

BOTTLE MAKING 16 PET planet insider Vol. 17 No. 01+02/16 www.petpla.net Blow-fill-cap units for mid-size bottle producers Over the past few years Serac Group has acquired state of the art expertise in packaging manufacturing – in both food and non-food markets – and is now producing blowing units. Serac is convinced that the PET bottle is a packaging that is ripe for further development and, in addition, that fully integrated packaging lines can provide mid-size bottle produc- tions with a long-lasting competitive edge. It is targeting these oppor- tunities with its recently-launched Combox machine range, which is designed to link the group’s SBL linear blower with its rotary weight fillers, in a ‘smart’ manner. On-site “right sized” bottle manufacturing When a company decides to pro- duce its own container it is natural for it to start with in-house packag- ing manufacturing, which enables it to capitalise on the range of be- nefits that emerge as volumes grow and the product portfolio expands. Purchasing plastic preforms instead of blown bottles reduces the trans- ported volumes as well as the risk of having bottles scratched or distorted, while on-demand production avoids wasting money on storage. In-house manufacturing gives more flexibil- ity on packaging lines, by enabling the production of different packag- ing shapes or sizes on the same line. Finally, in-house manufacturing provides higher protection against pol- lution or contamination, as the blown bottles go directly from the mould to the filling unit. Serac says that its SBL linear blowers offer all the benefits of onsite bottle manufacturing but in a machine specifically designed for low to medium outputs. The SBL range offers output rates up to 18,000bph, depending on the machine model and bottle size, which ranges from 50ml up to five litres. PET stretch blow-moulding for high quality bottles Bottles are strongly associated with quality, whatever the product (food or non-food) and the distribu- tion channel. Consumers tend to prefer them because of the con- venience they offer. Bottles are easy to handle, reclosable and shock-resistant, and so are natu- rally adapted to both household and on-the-go use. A bottle can enhance the on-shelf appeal of the product it protects, by enabling manufacturers to differentiate themselves from their competition by the use of original shapes and colours.Choosing the right material is essential in the plan- ning of on-site production. While it was originally dedicated to water and drinks, PET is increasingly used to package products in the dairy, edible oil, household and personal care markets, because of the advantages it offers against glass or PVC, for example. These advantages can include production of transparent bot- tles with glossy appearance, novel shapes, better recycling properties, and the cost effectiveness of the PET bottle production line. When it comes to quality, PET has proven ideal for use in lightweight but highly resistant bottles. The material bi-orientation achieved through the two-step stretch blow-moulding process provides high levels of toughness and resistance to internal pressure, and enables thin bottles to be stacked as high as glass ones.