PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2016

BOTTLE MAKING 27 PET planet insider Vol. 17 No. 09/16 www.petpla.net A couple of design iterations were required to dial-in the proper neck finish. In addition, a small adjustment was made to the bottle’s shoulder height to accommodate the filling process. Unique hand grips require mould modifications Another major technical feat was the creation of a bottle with Method’s unique look, which could be stretch blow moulded and produced without a separate handle. Amcor’s design engineering team work closely with Method’s industrial design team to achieve the breakthrough. Method’s design concept called for ergonomic hand grips, which presented a mould making challenge, according to Lewis. The mould design problems were due to the cross corner parting line split and the highly functional ergonomic hand grips, which were to be moulded on the back side of the bottle. The difficulties were overcome by a vari- able radius parting line that reduced negative draft and allowed the part to release easily from the blow mould, thus preventing scratching or marring of the PET bottle if the mould was to drag on the panel wall. The 53oz container with 100% PCR PET content enabled Method, which was founded in 2000 on a strong environmental platform, to gain sustainability benefits. Analysis using Amcor’s Asset Life Cycle assessment tool showed that by using 100% PCR resin, the package’s life cycle energy consumption is reduced by 78% and its carbon footprint is lowered by 35%, compared with a virgin PET alterna- tive. www.amcor.com www.methodhome.com