BOTTLE MAKING 22 PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 03/25 www.petpla.net Observing new technology trends in PET packaging Emerging tech revolutionising European PET bottle manufacturing The European PET bottle manufacturing market is set for significant growth, projected to reach a value of US$44.3 million by 2029, representing a 3.87% increase. As global priorities evolve and environmental concerns grow, sectors across the manufacturing industry are adapting to emerging technologies and sustainable practices to remain competitive. By 2030, 60% of all manufacturing production, including PET bottle manufacturing, are expected to adopt sustainable practices, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to environmental preservation. But what other innovations are driving this thriving industry forward? Welding Alloys, a Cambrigde, UKbased company specialising in industrial deposition welding, manufactures pipe solutions for pneumatic material handling systems for plastic pellets or powders. These are designed to improve the reliability and efficiency of material transport and ensure a seamless material flow throughout the PET bottle production process. In addition, the company continuously identifies and tests innovative technological approaches in the various markets and under individual conditions, including in the PET packaging industry. The use of 3D printing 3D printing is being utilised in both PET and recycled PET bottle manufacturing. Companies like Unilever are employing 3D printers to create precise moulds for plastic bottles using rigid 10k resin. This resin enables the production of moulds with smooth surface finishes that can withstand internal pressure and temperature. Mario Cordero, Group Innovation Director at Welding Alloys, said: “3D printing is becoming an increasingly common solution to speed up production processes at a more favourable and affordable cost. This technology allows businesses to create items layer by layer with CAD support. Through the help of this tool, manufacturers can assemble complex designs that would otherwise be challenging and expensive to produce with more manual, conventional methods. In this respect, 3D printing opens the door to customisations, too. Because every manufactured item is based on a digital blueprint, each product can be easily tweaked without the need for retooling. This is particularly useful for the healthcare and medical sectors, where splints, supports, and health devices can be customised to suit a specific patient’s diagnosis. That said, the versatility of 3D printing can be extended to a wide range of businesses in the manufacturing industry, including aerospace, and consumer goods.” Adopting robotics and cobots Cobots are being developed by Proco Machinery, for example, to improve efficiency and profitability, reduce manufacturing costs and reduce the reliance on manual labour required to palletise trays for plastic bottles. For PET filling, Motion Controls Robotics has developed a new mobile robot that streamlines bottle handling operations, including loading and unloading, coating, leak testing, case packing and palletising. Modern industrial robots are equipped with sensors and AI, which can proactively identify potential issues and execute precise movements with minimal delay. By sharing workspaces with humans, cobots enhance workplace safety. They can perform dangerous tasks, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, while also freeing up human workers to focus on more complex and strategic activities. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in PET bottle manufacturing The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers significant potential to transform PET bottle manufacturing. By interconnecting machines, devices, and sensors across the production line, enabling real-time data collection, analysis, and control. Key benefits of IIoT in PET bottle production include increased efficiency by optimising production processes, reducing down-
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