32 TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 10/23 www.petpla.net Retal - hall 4 stand 323 Staying ahead of evolving packaging legislation The evolving legislation around sustainable packaging is complex, with complicated initiatives that vary depending on market, application, and material. But how to make practical sense of the legislative technical information that is still developing? Plastic packaging manufacturer Retal is using the trade fair to provide information on how to reconcile this changing legislation and convenient packaging solutions. One focus is on the development of tethered caps. Anton Sugonaiaev, Head of the R&D department at Retal, shares how this combination works in practice, “We are well aware that it is the smallest of changes that can make a significant impact. In terms of tethered closures, we must remember that even a fraction of a millimetre can feel uncomfortable for the consumer when they are drinking from a bottle, so we must be careful in every element of the design. At the other end of the spectrum, we also must consider the practicalities of blowing the preform, of how the current limits of lightweighting can impact on the usability of the bottle, for example, or how the use of colourants can affect the Design for Recycling performance of the bottle. In addition to the tethered caps staying attached to the bottle after use, the legislation includes specifics such as it must resist at least 25N of tear-off force and have enough opening/closing cycles, fifteen or more to be precise, for the life of the bottle, up until recycling. Although the flip angle of tethered caps is not something regulated by the law, we strive to provide it as wide as possible for every single cap design to enhance the consumer experience.” Sugoniaev says that understanding consumer comfort and Design for Recycling (DfR) is part of the recipe for success, alongside the specific demands of the legislation. In addition to this, Retal can consistently offer up to 100% rPET for its preform portfolio, largely thanks to a preferential sourcing agreement with sister company Neo Group, which produces Neopet Cycle, PET flakes with up to 30% recycled material already integrated. www.retalgroup.com 20th anniversary of European Beer Star Award Brau Beviale is the home of the European Beer Star. Award winners, jury members, trade journalists and longtime fans of the European Beer Star meet here. The focus is always on genuine beers full of character that stand out in terms of taste and are among the world’s best in their respective categories. For the 20th anniversary of the competition, breweries from all over the world once again submitted their beers. In the running are beers from large corporations and small craft breweries, from traditional family businesses and newcomers in the brewing industry, from specialised brewmasters and creative people who like to experiment. They all share a passion for beers full of character and of the highest quality. According to the Olympic model, the winners of the European Beer Star are awarded a gold, silver or bronze award. The renowned competition is constantly evolving, which is why there are 73+1 categories in 2023. Why +1? The new special category Free-Style Beer honours unusual creations that cannot be squeezed into a predefined grid. Be surprised ... sidel.com COMBINING ROBOTICS WITH COBOTICS High palletizing performances in a compact footprint. With RoboAccess_Pal S, Sidel delivers an agile robotic palletizing unit ensuring fast Return on Investment with higher speed and payload.
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