PETpla.net Insider 05 / 2019

BOTTLE MAKING 14 PET planet Insider Vol. 20 No. 05/19 www.petpla.net 64oz PET barrier-container with handle for the craft beer market Easy to handle W. Amsler Equipment Inc., a leading supplier of all-electric linear PET stretch blow mould- ers, has launched a new 64-oz PET growler jug that aims to emulate the traditional format and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life. The PET container is believed to be the first in the industry to include a handle and provide barrier protection. A growler is a jug commonly sold at breweries and brew pubs as a means of selling take-away craft beer. The significant growth of craft breweries and the growing popular- ity of home brewing have also led to an emerging market for the sale of growlers. The amber PET container is manufactured by W. Amsler at its Bolton, Ontario, facility on behalf of JMS International Packaging, a lead- ing packaging solutions provider, on a W. Amsler all-electric linear series stretch blow moulder. The PET bar- rier container weighs 106 g compared to 1.2 kg for the glass version, thus resulting in reduced shipping costs. It is also event-friendly, unbreakable, and 100% recyclable, according to Heidi Amsler, sales and marketing manager for W. Amsler. “We’re proud to be part of this highly collaborative effort that has resulted in a breakthrough in PET barrier containers for the craft beer market,” said Amsler. “We’ve set a new benchmark in terms of shelf life and provided craft brewers a highly viable alternative to the standard glass container.” Unbreakable and portable PET growlers provide an entry into such venues that do not allow glass because of the poten- tial for breakage and other security requirements. The 64 oz, 106 g container was designed by W. Amsler with standard preforms supplied by Preform Solu- tions Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D. The PET growlers have a flat champagne base rather than a carbonated base design and withstand 15 psi of pressure. PET growler with an HDPE handle W. Amsler made the announce- ment April 8-11 at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Denver. For the conference, W. Amsler selected a barrier with a monolayer structure which includes a Sherwin Williams’ barrier additive. The bar- rier prevents oxygen ingress and egress and loss of CO 2 , thus provid- ing a 120-day shelf life compared to 48hrs for standard PET growlers. This monolayer barrier solution is compat- ible with existing recycling streams. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) handle, designed by JMS International Packaging, is produced separately and attached to the container via a second- ary process. The PET container comes with a 38mm finish. The amber colour for the 64oz barrier bottle is supplied by Penn Color. New patented PET grade In the future, the JMS production bottles will be manufactured with a new patented PET plastic (PETB1) that has been developed by JMS International Packaging Inc. The new patented plastic (PETB1) offers the best barrier to CO 2 plus oxygen egress and ingress on the market. This unique material also protects the product from UV rays and is avail- able in transparent or opaque ver- sions. The product is claimed to resist impact and ensure a certain economy compared to glass. The formula has enabled JMS to obtain a recycle code 1. It has strong resistance to hot filling and is much lighter than glass. The PET plastic growlers are also available in a clear colour with or without barrier protection for ciders, craft sodas, craft cocktails, and liquor. Pressure-sensitive labels can be applied and a screen-printing process can also be used. W. Amsler has focused new resources and expanded its partici- pation in the beer packaging market. The company sees significant oppor- tunities in glass conversion applica- tions where barrier PET bottles have a strong fit due to their light weight and portability. The company introduced 12 oz barrier PET bottles in a long- neck style with a crown cap at NPE 2018. Subsequently, a second 12 oz format with a slightly different design and label panel was launched. www.jmsintpackaging.com www.amslerequipment.net