PETpla.net Insider 05 / 2021

41 PRODUCTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 05/21 www.petpla.net PET products Automating octabin assembly for preform packaging The use of octabin cardboard packaging for the handling and transport of PET preforms is becoming more widespread, because of a number of benefits and advantages compared over metal, wood, or plastic box packaging. These advan- tages include lower unit cost, good recyclability and lower environmental impact. The process of assembling octabins or other containers is, traditionally, a manual process and not always simple, with consequences for the operating cost of the final product. And&Or has developed a solution that offers the preform industry complete automation of octabin formation, transport to loaders and pick-up of filled boxes, as well as its labelling and wrapping. The automation of this process offers labour cost savings along with improvement in quality and trace- ability of the product during manufacture. Octabin forming work cells – or ‘islands’ – are custom designed for the floor space and specific requirements of each client. The process starts with the empty pallet dispenser, which can be complemented with metal or plastic box dispensers if required. The base or cover formation area, a cardboard forming machine, can work with hot glue equipment or a cardboard fitting system. The product is then moved to the body formation area, where a robot forms the unit into the required octabin format. At the next stage, a preformed, roll- fed bag is inserted into the body by a machine that can work with different bag sizes, depending on the octabin presented to it. Body and base joints are then sealed by an automatic wrapping machine. Formed octabins are then delivered to the filling area, either by AGV or manually, with an electric stacker or truck; the filled packages are then transported to the collection area, manually or by AGV, labelled and readied for delivery to the warehouse. www.andyor.com Greiner Packaging introduces sustainable rPET cups for beer and other drinks Greiner Packaging has introduced sustainable rPET cups for beer and other drinks. Mechanical recycling of PET is already a viable option thanks to the high degree of purity and the material streams available. The cup concept will potentially allow for a dedicated recycling loop – for instance, at events. Greiner Packaging’s new plastic beer cup is cur- rently made from 100% rPET, but can be made with 30 to 50% rPET if requested by a customer. The cups make an appealing visual impression thanks to attractive printing options and they are suited for embossing the required EU markings during mass production. Greiner Packaging has already produced an initial series of sample batches. www.greiner-gpi.com/en