PETpla.net Insider 06 / 2021

TOP TALK PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 06/21 www.petpla.net 11 bottles. What solutions are you propos- ing to your customers? What does this mean for the production of the PET juice bottle? Will parameters such as weight etc. change? Acker: We already have numerous systems in our portfolio that promote the circular economy. First of all, the demands made of our customers are becoming ever more complex because these aren’t merely fueled by consum- ers but also by the changes in legal provisions you just mentioned and by the financial markets, for exam- ple. Stakeholders increasingly expect companies to engage in sustainable business practices. For us as KHS, the order of the day is thus to reduce, reuse and recycle throughout our value chain. We have to stay ecologically and economically fit for the future. We therefore offer our customers holis- tic expert advice for their PET and glass bottles and cans in the form of our Bottles & Shapes consultancy program that examines the entire manufacturing process. We’ve also developed a portfolio of systems and solutions for secondary packaging in order to counter the plastics debate: these include our Nature MultiPack that turns beverage containers into stable packs using easy-to-remove dots of adhesive instead of shrink film and the option of wrapping beverage cans in paper or bundling them into packs with a cardboard clip. In Fresh- Safe PET we have the only recyclable barrier for plastic containers on the market that protects the product and extends its shelf life. At the same time, KHS machines themselves considerably help to reduce the carbon footprint. Our InnoPET Blomax Series V stretch blow moulder, for instance, cuts electricity consumption by up to 40% and - by making effec- tive use of materials - also saves up to 10% in PET, thus conserving valuable resources. In addition, our systems and solutions can easily process PET bottles made of 100% recyclate. The sum of all these parts is an important step towards cutting emissions in the long term, conforming with legal requirements and meeting the demands made by society. The advantages of PET are undis- puted; it’s light, unbreakable and can be reclosed, for instance. This type of container will therefore continue to be very much in demand. If we manage to establish collection systems and build up closed recycling loops worldwide, acceptance among a proportion of con- sumers will again increase. PETplanet: KHS is a specialist in beverage filling and packaging. How do you see the future of the various materi- als such as glass, PET, and aluminium used in beverage filling? From the point of view of sustainability, what material for beverage filling do you see as particu- larly viable for the future? Acker: Regardless of the container, our contribution to sustainability and environmental protection is to strive for constant optimisation as regards reduc- tions in weight and recyclability and for an increasing use of recycled materi- als. There are various movements and trends in evidence throughout the world that we can cater for with our holistic approach. There’s no one answer as to which container is the best as this depends on a number of variables. Our job is to give our customers the best possible advice based on their wishes and requirements and find the best solution for their needs and the market. Ultimately, developments also depend on the circular economy being in place in the respective countries. The entire industry should help to establish suitable recycling systems worldwide. PETplanet: A little glimpse into the near future: two of the most important trade shows in the industry have been announced for 2022 and will hopefully take place: the ‘K’ trade show in Düs- seldorf and the Drinktec trade show in Munich. What are KHS’ plans for next year? Acker: We’re making preparations for various in-person shows, such as the two exhibitions mentioned, natu- rally while accounting for the protective hygiene concepts and in view of the continuing restrictions, such as those on travel. We’re looking forward to network- ing face to face. Trade shows with pres- entations of new machinery, with direct and personal contact are something we all miss. Parallel to this we’re continu- ing to work on our digital presence, one example of which is our Brand Gallery. We want to further expand this sales support tool in the future so that it forms a strong module for corporate com- munication independent of our physical attendance at trade shows. PETplanet: Thank you very much, Mr Acker! GAWiS D featuring AutoJob ™ – job set up in seconds +1.724.482.2163 AGRINTL.COM ACCURATE • FAST • REPEATABLE SEE GAWIS4D IN ACTION Dimensional and thickness measurements for plastic containers and preforms. ®