PET bottle/jar blow molding process for food, beverage applications

Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI) has introduced the oPTI lightweight foamed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle/jar blow molding process, based on MuCell microcellular foam injection molding technology licensed fromTrexel, Inc., to provide desirable features for those brand owners looking for a distinctive new visual presence.

The capability will now provide food and beverage brand owners with a broader range of PET container aesthetics and performance capabilities than previously possible. The process enables white or silvery colored bottles to be made without additives that can limit package recycling. Containers also have a unique surface feel, and provide tactile “traction” which minimizes slipping. This process also blow molds details more prominently, enabling decorations, such as embossed logos, to stand out better.

In addition to white or silver, blue and green hues also can be used since those color streams already exist in traditional PET recycling. The technology is also capable of producing bottles in a variety of pastel colors (amber, yellow, and pink). However, these cannot be recycled as part of the clear PET stream. Containers can be made from slightly translucent to opaque, depending on the desired aesthetics and performance characteristics.

Because the foam process adds stiffness, lightweighting of up to five per cent is also feasible without significant loss of performance. Further, the technology can produce bottles with significant light barrier characteristics of up to 95 per cent reduction in transmitted light.

Plastic Technologies Inc. (Holland, Ohio.); www.plastictechnologies.com; 419-867-5400