PETpla.net Insider 06 / 2021

CAPS & CLOSURES 34 PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 06/21 www.petpla.net Survey on tethered caps Tethered caps – closures that stay connected to the bottle when opened and used – will become an everyday part of life for consumers in the EU starting in July 2024. Sidel carried out a survey to get a better understanding of consumers’ environmental perceptions, their requirements for closures in general and their opinions about these new tethered caps. Results show that although participants agree that tethered caps contribute to a greener perception of plastic bottles, a cap should mainly guarantee product safety and user- friendliness. From June to September 2020, more than 3,200 adult Europeans participated in a survey on tethered caps performed by Ales Research on behalf of Sidel. Through online inter- views and in focus groups, consum- ers assessed the appeal, functionality and environmental impact of tethered caps, by expressing their environ- mental concerns and attitudes, overall beverage packaging requirements, visual expectations as well as their perspectives on tethered caps’ usabil- ity when pouring and drinking from the bottle and reclosing the cap. Sidel’s objective was to understand con- sumer acceptance of the new tethered caps and thus proactively support its customers in converting to tethered caps to comply with the new regula- tion and to ensure the success of their new packaging in the marketplace. User-friendliness over environmental concerns The survey results show that 87% of participants agree that plastic pol- lution harms the environment and that caps are a part of it. Meanwhile, 67% of consumers are convinced that changing their own behav- iour in terms of waste sorting and reduction can make a dif- ference towards a greener envi- ronment. 45% of panellists realise tethered caps reduce the risk of cap loss because they remain attached to the bottle, therefore keeping them from getting dirty or lost. Only a minority of respondents (26%) believe that tethered caps will really help reduce plastic littering. According to the results, the usability of the cap itself, i.e. how easily the cap can be opened, how easy it is to pour from or drink from the bottle, comes immediately after in terms of importance. And the last preference criteria are cap attractiveness, child safety and how easily the bottle and cap can be recycled. Preferences towards different cap types During the survey, consumers were also asked to compare existing screw caps with some tethered cap prototypes – snap-on and tethered screw caps, which are going to be introduced on the EU market – and also with existing sport caps. The survey results demonstrate that there is no solution that satisfies all needs: consumers’ first impression of snap-on caps is that the design is quite disruptive and they were sur- prised about the initial experience. Once they get used to it, they appre- ciate that it is very easy to open with one hand. Tethered screw caps were found to interfere with the lips and nose while drinking. Sport caps can be difficult to open, and their design makes it naturally difficult to pour the product into a cup or glass. www.sidel.com BEYOND THE HORIZON PROCESS SOLUTIONS FOR POLYMER RECYCLING AND SOLID STATE POLYMER UPGRADING Polymetrix, a Sanlian Buhler Company, provides process technology including EPC M services for the polymer recycling and manufacturing industry. Leading supplier of rPET systems and intergated rPET plants for single line capacities up to 70’000 tons per year. www.polymetrix.com www.slhpcn.com