PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2025

No.09 2025 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 PETplanet is read in 162 countries Filling equipment & inspection MARKETsurvey M A G A Z I N E F O R B O T T L E R S A N D B O T T L E - M A K E R S I N T H E A M E R I C A S , A S I A , E U R O P E A N D A L L A R O U N D T H E P L A N E T 08 . 09 . 25 LABELLING Page 39 EDITOUR Page 16 Page 10 Page 26 Visit PETplanet at drinktec! Hall C6 Booth 580 Page 51 AF COMPRESSORS ENERGY SOBRIETY The world leader of PET oil free piston compressors Drinktec September 15 - 19 Munich HALL C5 - BOOTH 401 Meet us at

Contact us and arrange your line trials now! www.bericap.com Sustainability meets convenience Designed for daily adventures Be it everyday family life or a city trip: with hard-to-drip Sport Caps from BERICAP, you have one less thing to worry about. They can be opened with one hand, are easy to close again, and never leak when you’re on the move. Thanks to a mono-material design, our caps are highly recyclable and can be supplied with the silicone-free BERICAP Valve on request. Furthermore, the available models for the GME 30.40 neck finish allow significant savings without having to compromise on comfort. So choose our Sport Caps to help prevent those little accidents on the road. • GME 30.40 • PCO 1881 • PET 29/25 • PET 38 Our extended Sport Caps range BSDA approved NEW Monet Crystal NEW Biarritz Visit us at drinktec Hall C6 / Booth C6-579 Industrialized for all relevant neck finishes: Thumb'Up

From small to large, the XTRA system’s versatility shines, capable of producing a wide range of bottle sizes from 0.2 to 12 liters, adapting seamlessly to your diverse packaging needs. This blow moulder is able to manage, along the same line, both hot filling, cold filling and preferiential heating without having to modify the system. Experience the industry’s leading performance with the XTRA system, boasting the highest bottles per hour per cavity rate, ensuring your production stays ahead of the curve. Cut down on energy consumption: just 4W to produce a 500ml bottle, including heat, cool and blow thanks to SIPA’s advanced energy-saving technology. FLEXIBLE for a wide range of bottles and maximum integration FAST output of 2800 BHC and process angle of up to 275° SUSTAINABLE thanks to SIPA's advanced energysaving technology USER-FRIENDLY for operators at any level, easy use and maintenance DISCOVER MORE EXTRA FAST, EXTRA FLEXIBLE, EXTRA PERFORMANCES. sipasolutions.com BYYOUR SIDE BEYOND THE LIMITS Meet us at Hall C6 StandC6 - 301

imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Hubweg 15 74939 Zuzenhausen, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 [email protected] EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Miriam Trotter Anthony Withers Editorial & WikiPETia. info [email protected] MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann [email protected] Johann Lange-Brock [email protected] phone: +49 6221-65108-0 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur Matthias Gaumann www.exprim.de READER SERVICES [email protected] PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | www.petpla.net PETplanet Insider ISSN 1438-9459 is published 10 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (1-year subscription 149 EUR, 2-year subscription 289 EUR, Young professionals’ subscription 99 EUR. Magazines will be dispatched to you by airmail). Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. Note: The fact that product names may not be identified as trademarks is not an indication that such names are not registered trademarks. 3 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net It has almost become routine that the two leading world trade fairs coincide in terms of time and space: drinktec in Munich and the K trade fair in Düsseldorf. That was the case in 2022, is the case this year and should also be the case in 2028. Both events have been firmly established in their respective fields for decades - drinktec as the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry and the K trade fair as the most important meeting place for the plastics and rubber industry. Each one attracts tens of thousands of trade visitors from all over the world, and each one is a must-attend event for market leaders, hidden champions and innovative start-ups. But when these two heavyweights are only a few days apart, even the most experienced exhibitors can feel they are being stretched to breaking point. For companies that are represented at both trade fairs, this time overlap requires a logistical tour de force. An exhibition stand of this size is not created overnight. Months of preparation go into design, planning, transport, set-up, team and technology. If you first present your new products in Munich and then want to stage them again a few days later in Düsseldorf, you have to ensure precise planning - and do this in parallel at two locations that might indeed be on the same continent, but are several hundred kilometres apart. Many exhibitors have to think carefully about whether they can cope with this twofold effort and how they can differentiate their messages at both trade fairs. But not only the exhibitors, but also the visitors are faced with a difficult decision. Hardly anyone can afford to attend both trade fairs in full. If you decide to attend drinktec, you can immerse yourself in the world of PET processing, beverage production, filling technology and innovative packaging solutions. If you are travelling to Düsseldorf, you will get a comprehensive overview of PET technology, new materials, technologies and sustainable solutions for the plastics and rubber industry. Both events are so rich in content that one day alone is scarcely enough to get any more than a brief overview. As a visitor, you must therefore carefully weigh up which topics are more relevant to your own situation - and therefore which trade fair offers greater added value. To sum up, this is a clear indication of how important both trade fairs are - but also how challenging it is when leading international events have been held so close together for a decade in terms of timing and location. For exhibitors, this means mobilising all their forces and planning down to the last detail. For you, the reader, there is a difficult choice between two equally attractive and important dates. One thing is certain: no matter what you decide, you will definitely miss out on exciting impulses - the only question is at which trade fair. Yours, Alexander Büchler Dear readers,

PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 09/2025 EDITOUR CIRCULAR ECONOMY 10 Sustainability is using rPET 12 Sustainability in a compact mesh design with energy-saving servomotors 14 Sustainable drying and crystallisation with infrared LABELLING 16 Label-free bottles 17 Labelling machines to handle diverse container shapes and materials 18 Plastic wrap-around labels for a wide variety of bottles 20 Let go at the right moment 21 Wash-off adhesives supporting sustainable packaging 22 Compact prewasher BOTTLING / FILLING 24 Used beverage filling machines MARKET SURVEY 39 Suppliers of filling equipment & filling inspection systems EVENT PREVIEW 26 drinktec 2025 - Floorplan PETpoint 28 drinktec 2025 preview, part 3 32 Focus on speed, precision and energy efficiency 34 Technologies for rPET bottle production 36 Energy-saving e-cap production cell 37 Energy-saving innovations for the beverage industry 38 New generation of preform handling system 42 Intelligent automation, energy-saving features & scalable mould solutions 43 Oil-free compressors live in action 44 New GME 30.40 closures portfolio 45 Tackling PET packaging’s performance and recycling pressures 46 Capping machines and more 47 The power of plastics! Green – Smart – Responsible 48 Electronic volumetric valve for filling machines 49 The Swiss Army knife for blowmoulders 50 “Food safety is not only a national concern” - Interview with Atsushi Hayakawa, General Manager, Technical Development Department, Aseptic Systems - DNP Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. 51 K 2025 preview 60 “45 years of experience behind us, and innovation for the future” 62 Efficient interplay of plastics recycling technologies 64 Compact washing technology 65 Redefining PET closures 66 Sustainable turnkey injection moulding solutions 67 Quality in real time, solutions with vision 68 K 2025 – ‘Plastics shape the Future’ Special 70 Plastics Recycling Show MEA 2025 OUTER PLANET 78 Turning plastic waste into community impact BUYER’S GUIDE 72 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 71 Bottles for home + personal care Editour LABELLING Page 36 Page 18 Page 14

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PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net Advanced Recycling Conference 2025 The Advanced Recycl ing Conference (ARC) 2025 will take place November 19–20, 2025 in Cologne, Germany, with both in-person and online participation options available. Advanced recycl ing is rapidly evolving, with new players, facilities, capacities, and partnerships emerging constantly, making it challenging to stay informed. To address this, the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) will provide a two-day platform offering a clear overview of recycling technologies for different plastic waste streams, alongside political and environmental perspectives. Organised by nova-Institut GmbH, the conference will convene industry leaders, technology providers, waste managers, researchers, policymakers, investors, and brand representatives to explore the latest in advanced recycling. Its unique format offers a comprehensive overview of advanced recycling technologies – ranging from extrusion, dissolution, solvolysis, enzymolysis, pyrolysis and thermal depolymerisation to gasification and incineration combined with Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU). Conference themes include: Markets, investments and policy Circular economy and ecology of plastics Physical recycling Biochemical recycling Chemical recycling Thermochemical recycling Other advanced recycling technologies Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) Upgrading, pre- and posttreatment technologies Digital solutions A 10% discount on tickets for the Advanced Recycling Conference 2025 is available until September 10. www.advanced-recycling.eu RECOUP supports Enviroo’s PET recycling plant with key market intelligence and policy insights The funding of a state-of-the-art PET plastic recycling plant due to be built in the North West of England was supported by the UK’s leading independent authority on plastics recycling, RECOUP (Recycling of Used Plastics). The non-profit organisation worked with the PET recycler, Enviroo, to deliver a comprehensive validation of the PET recycling market. This included crossreferencing and confirming third-party industry reports, assessing market feasibility, and compiling a central repository of intelligence around waste management trends and recycling policy. Providing essential market due diligence led Enviroo to securing £58m (EUR67m) of funding. RECOUP’s input gave funders confidence that Enviroo’s project aligned with national recycling goals and was grounded in solid economic and environmental foundations. With RECOUP’s policy guidance and sector expertise, Enviroo was able to present a compelling, low-risk investment case for its plant. The first facility is set to be operational by 2027 and will process up to 35,000 t/a of plastic at Peel NRE’s £165m (EUR191m) Protos Plastic Park at Ince Marshes, near Ellesmere Port. Enviroo’s facility aims to boost local circular economy efforts by recycling PET plastics into high-quality food-grade packaging materials and to support the UK’s net zero ambitions. www.recoup.org www.enviroo.co.uk Origin Materials announces strategic customer relationship with Berlin Packaging for PET bottle caps Origin Materials has formed a strategic customer relationship with Berlin Packaging, under which Berlin will purchase PET 1881 caps for distribution to its global beverage customers. The caps are claimed to support lighter packaging, longer shelf life, and “mono-material” containers that enhance recyclability. The caps can be made with 100% post-consumer recycled PET and are suitable for food-grade applications, the caps are thermoformed rather than injection-moulded. Berlin Packaging, a leading hybrid packaging supplier with over 1,700 global suppliers, 55,000 SKUs, and 100+ locations, is recognised for sustainable packaging solutions. Origin CEO John Bissell said about the partnership: “Their broad and deep distribution footprint not only immediately extends our market reach for 1881, but also opens the door for all our forthcoming formats across all closure applications globally. As a strategic customer, Berlin was exceptionally attractive because of their expertise in connecting closure products with brands to unlock the highest value opportunities. We look forward to working together.” Bissell added that this strategic relationship marks a turning point for Origin, enabling rapid supply growth and entry into the $65 billion global caps and closures market. www.originmaterials.com www.berlinpackaging.com

7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net PROVE IT GO TO ULTRA.MAGUIRE.COM Maguire delivers real data, real savings, real results. See how ULTRA Dryers can: Slash energy consumption Boost production 6(&21'6 2) <285 7,0( Ɣ <56 ƕ USA Toll Free +1 888 459 2412 l Canada +1 905 879 1100 l Europe +44 1827 338 280 l Asia +65 6848 7117 l Taiwan +886 4 2658 1535 [email protected] www.maguire.com ASK ABOUT OUR FREE TRIAL! Reduce maintenance Shrink your carbon footprint MADE IN THE USA Hall 10 Stand C41 October 8 - 15, 2025

8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net Chemetall partners with Circular Plastics to boost PET recycling in Vietnam The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has been selected to supply PET recycling washing solutions for Circular Plastics Company’s new plastic recycling plant in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Chemetall will provide a range of novel technologies tailored for Circular Plastics Company’s facilities, which recycle post-consumer PET plastics into food-grade products in Myanmar and Vietnam. They include Gardoclean cleaning agents, Gardobond additives for PET/polyolefin separation and defoaming. The integration of these technologies is claimed to improve the quality of treated flakes, to boost productivity, and reduce energy and resource consumption. The solutions also enable the plastic recycler to produce washed flakes that comply with food contact standards. www.basf.com INDUSTRY GUIDE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE Download our free industry guide to unpack global trends, regulations and innovations in PET packaging UNPACKING THE DYNAMIC PET PACKAGING INDUSTRY Circularix launches new PET recycling facility in Ocala, Florida Circularix, a leading U.S.-based producer of food-grade recycled PET, announced the successful completion and commercial start-up of its new recycling facility in Ocala, FL. The site complements Circularix’s flagship facility in Hatfield, PA and is intended to significantly expand the company’s ability to deliver high-quality food-grade recycled PET resin to leading consumer brands. “We built and commissioned this plant in record time,” said Leon Farahnik, Founder and CEO of Circularix. “From landing equipment in mid-March to reaching full production by August 1, this milestone is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team. Their commitment made it possible to bring our second facility online at unprecedented speed.” In addition to the Ocala launch, Circularix has initiated plans to expand capacity at its Hatfield, PA facility by taking over the adjacent industrial space. Once complete, this expansion will further increase output and strengthen Circularix’s ability to meet customer demand. “With added capacity in Florida and future growth underway in Pennsylvania, we’re in a stronger position to allocate more high-quality rPET to our core partners and support their packaging sustainability goals,” Farahnik said. Circularix has established itself as a leader in the U.S. circular plastics economy. The company’s mission is to ensure recycled PET meets the highest standards of quality, consistency and safety for use in beverage, food and consumer packaging applications. www.circularix.com

9 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 Versalis and Acea Ambiente sign an agreement to promote advanced plastic recycling Versalis, Eni’s chemical company, and Acea Ambiente, a subsidiary of Acea operating in integrated waste management and energy recovery sectors, agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Adriano Alfani, CEO of Versalis, and Gabriele Di Cintio, CEO of Acea Ambiente. The agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration focused on advancing the circular economy through joint recycling initiatives that recover value from post-consumer and post-industrial plastics. The two companies will work together to analyse and select waste flows from Acea Ambiente’s facilities, with a view to assessing their suitability for Versalis’ recycling processes. The shared objective is to develop an integrated industrial supply chain, capable of producing highquality recycled plastics, also through potential investment in new plants and the optimisation of existing processes. The agreement also includes the joint assessment of chemical recycling solutions, including the Hoop technology, to recover value from plastic waste that cannot be recycled mechanically. www.versalis.eni.com CREATING FUTURE STANDARDS Japan’s leading Aseptic PET Filling System Provider. Our website Our solution high quality reliable technology safe & secure Hall B4 Booth 533 F.l.t.r.: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Adriano Alfani, CEO of Versalis, and Gabriele Di Cintio, CEO of Acea Ambiente.

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 10 Sustainability is using rPET Ms Ester Masó Donadeu has worked at RETAL Iberia since 2005, initially as Director of Finance and since 2013 as CEO. In her time, production has grown from 125 million preforms per year to 1,250 million preforms. In addition to preforms, handles for the large water containers are also produced in the hall. Caps are manufactured at other RETAL sites. Interview with Retal Iberia // March 26, 2025 We met: Ms Ester Masó, GM and Mr Emmanuel Duffaut, Chief Sustainability Officer It is therefore hardly surprising that the introduction of tethered caps had no significant impact on the production of preforms. The introduction of the plastic tax for virgin material of €0.45/kg in Spain in 2023 had a much greater impact. The reason for this is that every EU member state has had to pay a plastic tax of 80 cents per kilogramme of non-recycled plastic waste since January 1, 2021. Italy plans to follow this approach in mid2026. The untaxed rPET proportion in the preform has risen significantly since then. RETAL Iberia invested in a material mixing plant four years ago. It mixes the correct ratio from the eight large virgin PET silos and three smaller rPET silos depending on the batch. Only then is the material pre-mixed in the production hall in the drying silos above the injection moulding machines. While any desired proportion of rPET can be produced with the mixing plant, Ester Masó Donadeu thinks that in the future there will be standardised mixing ratios and the correct rPET proportion will be set by the raw material suppliers. This means that fewer individual mixtures will be added to the complex mixing plant in the long term. Making the preform lighter and thus saving material is a daily challenge. Ten years ago, the preform for the 1.5 L bottle weighed 33 g, now it is produced at 22 g. The production hall was extended by RETAL Iberia in 2023. There are now four HyPET and nine G-Line systems there, twice as many as before. The latest machine in the hall is a Husky HyPET 5e 300. Certificates and awards In April 2023, the ISO50001 energy certificate was awarded to RETAL Iberia following an external audit. Quality Manager Xavi Mora says, “This international standard is a tool to support us in improving energy consumption by developing and implementing an energy management system. The aim of this certification is to support continual improvement when it comes to energy consumption and efficiency.” In March 2025, RETAL has gained its highest ever EcoVadis score, reaching 65% to achieve Bronze level. This 6-point increase from the previous year’s evaluation means that multinational plastic packaging manufacturer RETAL is closing in on its target to reach 75%. RETAL’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Emmanuel Duffaut, says, “Our progress was largely thanks to our 15-point increase in our most impactful category, ‘Labour & Human Rights’, and in our higher ‘Ethics’ rating. I’m also pleased to report that our 68% rating in ‘Procurement’, 70% in ‘Environment’ and ‘Advanced’ rating in Carbon Management remained constant and strongly contributed. This combines to reward our continuous sustainability commitment and management at the highest level throughout our business.” www.retalgroup.com From left to right: Joan Mascaró, Production Manager, Jordi Campeny, Operator and Ester Masó, GM. View of the extended production hall. There are now four Husky HyPET and nine G-Line lines. Products RETAL Iberia produces: preforms for 0.33 to 8L and handles Virgin PET is mixed with rPET here. The proportion of rPET varies from 20-100%, depending on the customer and order. by Alexander Büchler Sponsors to date Editour

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 11 EDITOUR

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 12 Sustainability in a compact mesh design with energy-saving servomotors 1 BLOW presents preform slides on magnetic tracks: This means that a completely new type of machine is being created in France. It will be interesting to see what advantages this new drive variant will bring for stretch blow moulding. Editour Interview with 1BLOW // April 4, 2025 We met: Benoît Sanchez, CEO, and Olivier Perche, Sales Director 1 BLOW emerged from the SBM builder ADS in 2010. Today, 1 BLOW still supplies spare parts and service for the old ADS systems. Currently, the company has a capacity of 50 systems per year and 40 employees with a turnover of 11 million euros. Up to 90% of the systems are exported. There are now 245 machines in operation worldwide. For Mr Olivier Perche, Sales Director, customer satisfaction comes first. It all started with the 2LO, a system with two cavities. The systems can be equipped for oval bottles and/or neck orientation or hot fill. The volume of the containers can be between 50ml and 30L. The “LAB” single-cavity system has become a reference machine for mould makers such as RödersTec and processors such as Resilux or Plastipak thanks to its wide range of setting options. In autumn, 1 BLOW plans to introduce a new machine concept in which the slides for the preforms rush along a magnetic track instead of being guided through the system by a chain. This allows the guide rail to run through the entire system and the preform slide to be moved at different speeds depending on requirements. For example, slowly in the oven, quickly on the free path to the blowing station and standing in the blowing station (picture above) until the blowing process is complete. The classic concept at 1 BLOW is based on chain conveyors and linear systems. This “Virtual Rotary Concept“ combines the advantages of rotating machines with those of linear machines without the entire blow moulding block physically rotating, as is the case with classic rotary machines. It is therefore a virtual rotation. Instead of a large turntable, 1 BLOW uses several stations that are permanently installed. Servo-electrically driven axes that perform movements (e.g. transporting, stretching, blowing) precisely and synchronously and over 90% rotating movements, e.g. during preform transport or blowing. As a result, the modular structure is very clear, format changes can be implemented quickly and maintenance is greatly simplified. Stretch blow moulds from all suppliers can be used in the machine. The modular design allows functions to be integrated that would otherwise be difficult to incorporate. For example, the preferential & offset neck heating. This technology kit produces opposing longitudinal heating bands to the preform to optimise production of oval or oblong bottles. This technology goes one step further by also allowing for these heated bands to be moved off-axis from the preform centreline; so that offset neck bottles can be produced. In addition to blowing hot fill bottles, neck orientation can also be realised. This technology kit puts all the neck finishes on each and every bottle to be in the same orientation. This is invaluable for containers that use a flip-top cap so that it aligns in the proper position for opening and pouring. The Sure Grip is certainly a special feature. This technology kit allows for the production of bottles with a hyperextended grip into the bottle that could not be produced in standard stretchblow moulding processes. It utilises software and hardware on the machine combined with a multi-staged mould insert system that allows for both opposing handle grip contours to be moved inward during the stretch-blow moulding process. www.1blow.com With a completely new design, the new development from 1 Blow presents the carriage solenoid drive technology. F.l.t.r.: Olivier Perche, Sales Director and Benoît Sanchez, CEO, in front of a LAB plant by Alexander Büchler Sponsors to date The 1 BLOW system adapted for wide mouth applications

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 13 EDITOUR Working with us bears a risk RI VWDUWLQJ D ORQJ WHUP SURƓWDEOH UHODWLRQVKLS IRU \HDUV yellow.agency Swiss-engineered Preform Systems At Otto Systems we focus on solutions for special applications in PET preform production. We provide you with the most economical answers to your needs. Our unique system concept is based on smart modularity, proven performance, IXOO LQWHJUDWLRQ DQG PD[LPXP ŴH[LELOLW\ )URP LGHD WR RSHUDWLRQ 2WWR 6\VWHPV JLYHV \RX D GHFLVLYH FRPSHWLWLYH HGJH with your satisfaction as our guiding principle. Jump-start your PET preform production with us. RWWR V\VWHPV FRP DRINKTEC 2025 SEPT 15–19 Meet us in Hall C6 Booth 339

EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 14 Sustainable drying and crystallisation with infrared Is the IR technology known from preform heating also an alternative for drying and crystallising virgin and/or rPET flakes? We spoke to Udo Gielen, CEO, and Marcus Vogt, Technical Sales Manager at Kreyenborg in Senden, Germany. The company has been working on this technology for over 20 years. Editour Interview with Kreyenborg GmbH & Co KG // August 14, 2025 We met: Udo Gielen, CEO and Marcus Vogt, Technical Sales Manager Tradition and specialisation Kreyenborg was founded in Münster, Germany, in 1953 and has been active in the plastics sector since 1966. The company became known for its machines and systems in plastics recycling. The first melt filter went into operation in 1967. Kreyenborg set another milestone with the launch of the infrared rotary drum (IRD) in 2004. In 2013, the US company Nordson took over some of the company’s divisions - since then, Kreyenborg has been able to concentrate fully on IR technology, its components and the established construction of mixers and special silos for the recycling industry. Drying in the infrared rotary drum is used both in food technology and in the plastics industry. In the plastics sector, the focus is clearly on the drying and crystallisation of virgin and recycled PET besides other plastics. Functional principle Unlike conventional dryers with hot air or vacuum crystallisers, the Kreyenborg technology does not require either. The infrared light penetrates pellets or flakes and heats them evenly from the inside and outside in just a few minutes. A rotary drum keeps the material in continuous motion, so that it heats up evenly without clumping together. Between the individual infrared heating zones, the system measures the surface temperature of the PET inline and can therefore react directly to changes in the material. Marcus Vogt describes the efficiency of infrared compared to hot air vividly: “Try frying a sausage with a hot air dryer - or over a coal fire.” Performance and quality Kreyenborg has continuously developed the IRD technology for many plastics – and has created a Sponsors to date The infrared elements and temperature sensors are located in the centre of the drum. The drum movement ensures that the material is moved evenly. Drying takes place at the material inlet (left) while the moisture is extracted. The material is crystallised at the outlet (right). F.l.t.r.: Udo Gielen (CEO Kreyenborg), Marcus Vogt (Technical Sales Manager) and Alexander Büchler in front of an open drum. The material is continuously rolled past the infrared elements. by Alexander Büchler Kreyenborg Hall 9 Booth A27

PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 15 EDITOUR separate business unit (IR-Clean) specifically for PET. With different IRD sizes, throughputs of 20 kg/h to 2.5 t/h can be realised - with initial moisture levels of up to 10,000 ppm. The material leaves the IR-Clean unit with a residual moisture content of less than 500 ppm and a purity that complies with US FDA specifications. Recycled PET flakes can be processed directly inline in the extruder into films and sheet for food contact. Since the requirements in the European Union are higher, the decontamination efficiency must be increased again for EFSA: a further dryer (finisher) is used after the IRD, which extends the residence time under temperature to increase the decontamination efficiency. In this configuration a cleaning efficiency of more than 95% can be achieved, allowing the use of up to 100% rPET in food packaging with a shelf life of 365 days at 25 °C. As a side effect, the residual moisture is reduced below 50 ppm. Advantages over conventional methods CEO Udo Gielen explains the differences from classic hot air or vacuum technology: “You don’t need any pipework, cooling, vacuum or compressed air for the process - just a power connection. This saves a lot of effort and makes the technology safer and simpler. The direct thermal coupling of the IR heat with the PET eliminates the diversions via the heating coil and air, which significantly increases efficiency.” Vertical integration as a strength Kreyenborg also attaches great importance to the high level of vertical integration at the Senden site: from the laser cutting system to separate halls for stainless steel and black plate through to final assembly - everything takes place on site. Around 400 IRD for plastics are now in use worldwide, of which around 70% are for PET. www.kreyenborg.com

LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 16 SMI solutions for Águas de Carvalhelhos Label-free bottles Carvalhelhos is a benchmark in the water sector in Portugal and one of the leaders in the export market. The Boticas-based company focuses on the environmental sustainability of its production processes. Therefore, the company chose a new EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder by SMI, for the production of new rPET containers without plastic labels. This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for glue and additional paper or plastic materials, simplifying the recycling process and ensuring higher purity in recycled PET, SMI summarises. LABELLING 110 years of Carvalhelhos The origins of Águas de Carvalhelhos trace back to 1915, with the founding of Caldas Santas de Carvalhelhos. Since its founding, this Portuguese company has focused on quality and the production of naturally bottled mineral water. Anticipating shifts in consumer packaging trends, Águas de Carvalhelhos became one of the pioneers in Portugal to adopt PET plastic for food-grade containers. Recognising its potential early on, the company invested heavily in technology to support large-scale PET production. Today, Águas de Carvalhelhos continues to blend tradition with innovation. The introduction of new PET bottles, available in 0.33 L, 0.5 L, and 1.5 L formats, features a label-free design made possible by advanced moulds from SMIMEC, installed on the EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder. This process customises each bottle with an embossed Carvalhelhos logo and essential product information, including Braille, directly engraved onto the packaging, eliminating the need for paper labels and reaffirming the brand’s role as a pioneer in environmentally conscious solutions. SMI solutions for Águas de Carvalhelhos The Portuguese company has involved SMI for the supply of a new rotary stretch-blow moulding system from the EBS 8 KL ERGON series and for the study and development of new PET and rPET containers with and without plastic labels. Benefits to safeguard the environment Solutions that respect the environment, as they do not require the use of glue and paper or plastic labels, ensuring greater purity of the recycled PET material. The area dedicated to the label has been removed, eliminating the ribs typically found in traditional bottles. Therefore, a combination of embossed and debossed engravings on the bottle body provides additional space for the brand logo and essential product information, which would traditionally appear on a label. This approach also allows for the inclusion of information in braille. Management and control The solution supplied uses the so-called MotorNet System, which ensures the constant maintenance of the optimal processing parameters during the entire production cycle, allows the direct modification of the machine settings from the operator panel, simplifies format change operations and offers the possibility of temporarily disabling one or more moulds if necessary. The Posyc operator interface is simple and intuitive, ensuring quick parameter adjustment and facilitating routine and scheduled maintenance tasks. The EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder is also equipped with the latest generation of instruments to detect, monitor and compare the system’s energy consumption. Energy saving The stretch-blow moulder is equipped with a system of energy-efficient thermo-reflective panels in composite ceramic material, positioned both in front and behind the lamps, which allow uniform heat distribution. The stretch-blow moulding carousel is equipped with motorised stretch rods controlled by electronic drives, for precision operations and energy savings - no compressed air is needed, and the power consumption is lower than solutions with linear motors, says SMI. Production efficiency & flexibility The EBS 8 KL ERGON stretchblow moulder is equipped with highperformance valves and low dead volumes (-50%) reducing pre-blowing and blow moulding times. The blow moulding machine adopts a series of measures capable of reducing the level of wear of the components to the benefit of production efficiency, such as the gripper handling system based on springless preform grippers/bottles equipped with desmodromic cams and plastic bearings. Thanks to the preform feeding system equipped with adjustments by means of numerical position counters, format changeover operations are simple and fast. Even the format change operations, to switch from the production of traditional bottles to bottles without a label, are simple and fast as it is sufficient to replace the graft section in the mould. www.smigroup.it

LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 17 TIRELLI’s linear and rotary solutions for every production line Labelling machines to handle diverse container shapes and materials TIRELLI was established in 1957 as a company specialising in electrical installations. In the 1980s, following the successful production of its first labelling machine, the company broadened its technology portfolio by manufacturing filling and capping machines, meeting the comprehensive packaging needs of the cosmetics, home & personal care, and chemical industries. Today, TIRELLI’s technologies are available as both standalone units and complete packaging lines. The company has installed over 5,580 machines in 118 different countries worldwide. Following the acquisition of KTF Engineering in 2021, TIRELLI expanded its product range to include high-speed weighing machines, blowing/rinsing machines and equipment designed to handle home care products with corrosive and/or abrasive properties. In 2023, the acquisition of the BRB Globus Srl business unit further strengthened TIRELLI’s offerings, enabling the company to better meet the increasing demand for labelling machines tailored to medium- and lowspeed production lines in the home & body care sector. Two technologies TIRELLI’s labelling portfolio is built around two core machine types: linear and rotary systems. Both offer high-quality application of self-adhesive, hot-melt, or cold-glue labels on cylindrical, square, or custom-shaped containers. The choice between the two depends on production speed, container complexity, and the desired level of flexibility. Rotary labellers: high speed, high precision Designed for medium- to highspeed lines, TIRELLI’s rotary machines can apply front and back labels, neck and cap labels, and full or partial wraparound labels to containers made of glass, plastic, or metal. Each container is placed on a rotating carousel, seated on an individual plate, and held securely by a pressure head, ensuring perfect alignment throughout the cycle, the company says. Depending on the application, plates can be driven either mechanically or via electronic cams powered by servomotors, allowing advanced orientation. When paired with vision systems, these machines can align labels with embossed logos, seams, or artwork with pinpoint accuracy. The BRB FLEX is a versatile solution for medium- to high-speed lines. With output speeds of up to 24,000 containers per hour, it handles a wide variety of labels, including wraparound, front/back, neck, base, and cap. Its servo-driven system enables precise orientation, while custom pressure heads stabilise the product even at peak speeds. Linear labellers: compact, reliable, intuitive For low to medium output lines, TIRELLI’s linear labelling machines are designed to offer a balance of performance, simplicity, and flexibility. Their compact footprint makes them easy to integrate even in restricted spaces. The company states that in their High Performance (HP) versions, these machines can reach speeds of up to 9,000 containers per hour, delivering dependable results with minimal operator intervention. The BRB UNO, is a cold-glue linear machine designed specifically for cylindrical containers. It applies cut-and-stack paper labels with high consistency and low maintenance requirements. The BRB UNO is particularly popular in the food & beverage, household care, and chemical sectors, where container variety is common and flexibility is essential. www.arol.com LABELLING In modern manufacturing, labelling is no longer just a finishing touch, it plays a strategic role in defining a product’s identity and ensuring shelf impact. From full wraparound labels to precisely applied neck or cap labels, today’s producers demand speed, precision, and flexibility. TIRELLI states that it offers a complete range of labelling machines designed to handle diverse container shapes and materials, operating with high reliability across a wide variety of production environments.

LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 18 XLABL_RF, SIPA’s new roll-fed labelling technology Plastic wrap-around labels for a wide variety of bottles SIPA has developed a new labelling solution, designed with enhanced features to improve performance, precision, and user experience. The result is the new XLABL_RF roll-fed labelling machine, recently unveiled and soon to be presented at drinktec. It is designed to redefine the standards for labelling PET containers, offering an advanced solution for applying plastic wraparound labels to a wide variety of bottles. LABELLING The XLABL_RF is a rotary roll-fed labeller, designed to apply hot-melt glue to cylindrical and shaped PET bottles, whether full or empty. It is engineered to perform with accuracy at varying production speeds. Its flexibility makes it suitable for diverse applications in industries ranging from beverages to personal care, all while ensuring costefficiency. Key features The labeller is equipped with a cutting unit that performs more than 200 million cuts with durability. This results in fewer interruptions for blade adjustments, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent cuttingprecision. The cutting system, which requires no re-adjustment, delivers continuously flawless cuts, says SIPA. The labeller boasts brushless motion technology, with each station controlled by independent servomotors. This allows precise movement and ensures the machine operates seamlessly. The XLABL_RF also includes an optimised glue management system. With an external glue tank, operators can access the tank for refilling without halting the machine, while an efficient glue distribution system ensures minimal waste, summarises SIPA. Beyond performance, the labeller excels in its ability to handle a wide range of label materials and thicknesses at high speeds. Its quick changeover system is claimed to allow operators to switch between different formats in 5 to 10 minutes, thanks to intuitive guides and toolless access. The design enables space optimisation, with safety features like vertically sliding guards for easy access. Labelling station design The heart of the XLABL_RF lies in its labelling station. The reel support system features independent motor control and dual reels to enable continuous operation. The film tensioner and aligner employ active tension control and carbon fibre rollers to maintain perfect label alignment, even on reels that are imperfectly wound. The vacuum transfer drum enables smooth and precise label application, while the glue roller system dispenses glue, ensuring that labels are applied seamlessly from start to finish without any excess glue wastage. Designed with operators in mind The XLABL_RF incorporates a user-friendly 21.5-inch touchscreen HMI, which has been developed to offer an intuitive interface built on web technologies. This allows operators to navigate between functions, adjust settings, and monitor performance with ease. Whether changing a recipe or conducting routine maintenance, the machine is designed for quick, hassle-free operation, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall productivity, says SIPA. Ready for the future XLABL_RF is built for the future, using automation technology from the German company Beckhoff Automation to provide precise, real-time control. This integration with SIPA’s digital ecosystem enables predictive maintenance and enhances connectivity, allowing users to benefit from a smart, connected factory environment. The XLABL_RF is a roll-fed labelling machine designed for a range of PET bottles, from standard water bottles to more complex shapes. According to SIPA, it combines mechanical engineering with design features aimed at improving precision, flexibility, and reliability in modern bottling operations. www.sipasolutions.com SIPA Hall C6 – Booth 301

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LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 0/24 www.petpla.net 20 Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive for PET bottle labelling enables more effi cient PET recycling and cleaner fl akes Let go at the right moment PET is one of the few plastics that can be recycled almost infinitely – if all components cooperate. The adhesive that holds the label to the bottle is crucial to the quality of the recycled material. Anything that doesn’t dissolve during the recycling process leaves residue on the PET flakes. Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive, Technomelt EM 335 RE, has been designed to enable clean separation. Conventional hot melt adhesives, which are commonly used for PET bottle labelling, can be difficult to remove during the recycling process. Even in the hot caustic soda bath, which is part of the standard processing procedure, only 12 to 30 per cent of the adhesive typically dissolves. This can result in PET flakes with some contamination, potentially affecting the quality of the recycled material by causing cloudiness or yellowing. Contaminated flakes are also no longer suitable for applications such as food packaging due to their reduced barrier properties. Henkel now offers Technomelt EM 335 RE, an adhesive tailored to the needs of modern recycling processes. It is alkali-dispersible and can be removed by up to 98 per cent. The adhesive residue is separated from the material stream along with the label residue. This hot melt adhesive is claimed to be ideal for paper and plastic labels. It can bond up to 40,000 bottle labels per hour at a low processing temperature of 110 to 140°C. This aims to protect equipment, save energy, and increase operational reliability. Due to its mineral oil-free formulation and compliance with food regulations, the hot melt adhesive is suitable for even the most sensitive applications, says Henkel. Its practical packaging in X-tra chubs ensures easy and safe handling while avoiding packaging waste. PETCYCLE in Germany has approved Technomelt EM 335 RE. www.henkel.com LABELLING

LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 21 HERMA introduces wash-off adhesives certifi ed for PET and HDPE packaging recycling Wash-off adhesives supporting sustainable packaging For PET and HDPE packaging choosing a suitable wash-off label is often the key to ensuring that a material can be recycled to a high standard. HERMA’s portfolio of wash-off self-adhesive materials have been developed and certified precisely for this purpose. The adhesive 72Hpw has been developed for use in plastics recycling, where it is intended to enable labels to separate from packaging made of PET and HDPE. “Our selfadhesive materials are developed so that they reliably enable labels to be separated from the appropriate packaging,” explains Dr Stefan Kissling, Head of Adhesive and Special Coatings at HERMA. “This is a key prerequisite for a closed plastics cycle.” Wash-off performance in PET and HDPE Independent testing by the CyclosHTP institute has certified the adhesive’s wash-off properties in multiple applications. For HDPE packaging, 72Hpw has been certified in combination with five different label materials, and it can be removed even in coldwash conditions. For PET packaging, twelve combinations with various label substrates, including paper, PE, and PP films, have been certified for recycling streams covering transparent PET bottles, other PET bottles, and PET trays. Additional assessments have been carried out by other organisations. RecyClass issued a letter of compatibility for one self-adhesive material, while the Dutch institute KIDV (Verpact) gave a positive evaluation of two PP films in connection with HDPE recycling. LABELLING Labels made from wash-off selfadhesive materials make HDPE and PET packaging a sought-after source of recycled material. (Image source: Bet_Noire / iStock) Here‘s where to find our Vision Inspection Systems Visit us IMD booth A5-130 Husky booth C5-421 Engel booth C6-140 Sumitomo Demag booth C6-160 PackSys Global booth C6-340 Netstal booth C6-361 Wittman Battenfeld booth C6-501 Availability and applications HERMA states that it is among the few suppliers currently offering certified wash-off label materials for both PET and HDPE packaging. Further products are still undergoing certification. The company also indicates that the 72Hpw adhesive is priced in line with standard adhesives and that many certified materials are stocked in common widths, which allows for relatively quick implementation by label printers and packaging users. HERMA will present its expanded portfolio of certified wash-off selfadhesive materials for the first time at Labelexpo in Barcelona. www.herma.com

LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 09/25 www.petpla.net 22 Preprocessing PET bottles Compact prewasher Boretech’s compact Prewasher for PET bottle recycling integrates four key functions - de-labelling, separation, washing, and dewatering - into a single, modular unit. By consolidating these processes, operations are streamlined while enhancing both output quality and overall efficiency for recyclers, says the company. 99% label removal rate During the prewashing stage, a label removal rate of 99% and a label scrapping rate of 95% are achieved, ensuring that the final rPET meets strict FDA and EFSA standards for label residue. In the multi-stream separation process, caps, rings, labels and impurities are separated in one integrated process, with online collection and packaging, minimising auxiliary material loss. Compared to traditional systems, the design is claimed to be both sustainable and space-saving. It reduces the footprint by 58% (96m²) and cuts total power consumption by 46% (63 kW), according to Boretech. Additionally, the single-unit modular system eliminates multiple transfer steps, incorporates washing into de-labelling, reduces investment costs by 67%, and simplifies maintenance, the company summarises. A clean-operation structure keeps the workspace tidy, while patented blades ensure less than 1% material loss and a service life of up to 8,000 t, even when handling hard impurities. A built-in, self-cleaning negative pressure cyclone prevents clogs, ensuring uninterrupted production and greater profitability for recyclers. www.bo-re-tech.com LABELLING .PSF UIBO KVTU 7*4*0/ */41&$5*0/ 7JTJU VT )BMM $ #PPUI $  7JTJU VT )BMM  #PPUI "

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