PETpla.net Insider 08 / 2017

CAPS & CLOSURES 13 PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 08/17 www.petpla.net added value is here generated, for example, by dispensing a nutritional supplement into the beverage when the closure is opened for the first time. Bericap’s Thumb’Up two-piece sports closure for “on the go” customers Closure material The main resins used for caps and closure production are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropyl- ene (PP) for compression and injec- tion moulding in the leading position. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are other common used resin types. In addition, sustainability ini- tiatives are taken into account as a matter of course, and this includes using recycled or plant-based materi- als in the closures. An example is the Japanese Suntory Group, which has been using the 1.85g cap with 30% plant-based ethanol for its 550ml Suntory Tennensui water bottle since last year. Suntory plans to gradually rollout plant-based ratios in bottle caps to other products of its brand. However, recycled parts play a lesser role in the area of water clo- sures, since most recyclates from the closures segment are supplied to applications outside the food sector. Has Plastik A.S.: A range of issues and trends are driving global beverage markets, from the growth of beer, bottled water and carbonated soft drinks in emerging markets to functional and sports drinks in the developed economies. For companies like HasPlastik, Inc., the key issues and trends driving beverage markets worldwide and the caps and closures sector in particular are tamper-evidence and product safety. Markets and customers, all the way through the value chain to the shelves of the retail outlets, are experiencing pressure for user-friendly applications; people want their products in conven- ient and easy to access and use forms. Competitive pressures make cost a constant issue, but savings must be achieved without negatively affecting or compromising product safety. The company also identifies a fourth signifi- cant factor: the growing demand for functional beverages. HasPlastik’s R&D agenda and strategy is currently led by activities focused on aseptic caps for Sports designs, along with “new generation” hot-fill applications. In addition, it is undertaking R&D in functional designs for applications including extract or powder dosing; sports drinks; low-pres- surised drinks; and similar products. The company sees the biggest opportunities for growth in cap materials as being in HDPE, PET, barrier PET and recyclable additives. Bericap Holding, Alexander Krautkrämer, Managing Partner Marketing & Sales: The trend towards healthier food impacts the bever- age market as it does other food markets. Water shows strong growth as well as juice and dairy products with strong health claims. The impact on the closure sector is twofold. On the one hand there is a trend to further cost savings result- ing in numerous proposals for further neck finish light weighting and corresponding closures although it must be admitted that the savings potential is much smaller than 10 years ago. On the other hand we see a clear trend to more consumer convenience and the desire for shelf differentiation. More consumer convenience means for Bericap closures with a com- fortable grip height, low removal torque and product safety through well per- forming tamper evidence systems. Bericap offers for differentiation on the shelf new printing methods, new closure decoration options and customised designs. Customised designs means customer specific closure designs but also overcaps which can be applied safely on all standard screw caps and hence allow the use even for limited promotions. Five product development centres and an in-house mould making facil- ity allow Bericap to react rapidly to customer requests. Safe and efficient application of its closures is supported from each Bericap site. With 23 production sites and many more sales representatives we are always close to the customer.