PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2017

BOTTLE MAKING 10 PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 03/17 www.petpla.net Increased resistance and stability for CSD bottles CSD in harsh conditions The new StarLite Tropical base enlarges the family of StarLite bottle solutions originally developed by Sidel packaging experts. This latest addition to the range is designed to offer a flexible solution for CSD, in all packaging sizes from 0.25 to 3l. Additionally, it is applicable to the different standard levels of carbona- tion. It is specifically designed for CSD bottles undergoing harsh condi- tions - for instance when produced and distributed in the supply chain at very high temperatures or in environ- ments which are particularly humid. The end result is a PET bottle that offers improved resistance in terms of stress cracking and creeping, as well as better stability through- out the supply chain, says Sidel. It is also intended to avoid material waste during production and storage while not compromising on the safety standards of the beverage inside. Improved bottle resistance and stability The StarLite Tropical base has been designed to improve perfor- mance in terms of resistance. Its optimised geometry reinforces all the zones which are more susceptible to stress cracking due to mechani- cal constraints. This avoids potential breaking of the PET bottle walls and base which can be caused by interac- tions with fluids or chemicals during the conveying stage. The base has been evaluated and qualified under rigorous test protocols which are internationally recognised. It successfully completed a demand- ing creeping test conducted over 72h under 38°C and 50% moisture conditions. This proved a good base roll-out resistance when the bottle is under pressure at high temperature and demonstrated that it is less likely to burst during production or to deform during transportation. Also, Sidel packaging experts conducted various trials through computer simulations, followed by real-world physical tests, to achieve optimum bottle strength. In those tests the StarLite Tropical design resulted in improved bottle stability and, again, more resistance to extreme temperatures (hot and cold). The Sidel StarLite Tropical base is already in production in far-eastern countries. The improved bottle stability is achieved through the enhanced base standing surface. High surface con- tact of the base’s feet ensures easy bottle transportation and smooth conveying, an efficient solution for even high-output lines. This prevents bottles falling when passing through machine interfaces within the PET bottling line and results in a higher production uptime. Base moulds for all production configurations Having an enhanced venting design, the new Sidel StarLite Tropical base moulds are offering an optimised cooling capacity to further improve bottle base performances. Available for all Sidel moulds, they are easy to implement in PET production lines and can even be retrofitted to exist- ing Sidel CSD moulds to adapt bottle designs, says the company. The new base can be applied to all lines equipped with any generation of Sidel blowers, in standalone - with an addi- tional post-mould cooling base device - or Combi configurations. www.sidel.com Environments with very high temperatures or a particu- larly humid climate can have an impact on the resistance of PET bottles. The latest addition to Sidel’s StarLite range of bottle bases is intended to ensure better bottle performance for car- bonated soft drinks (CSD) produced and distributed in extreme environmental con- ditions.