PET-Can Hybrid

HOME ARCHIV 2003 20.05.2003 PET-Can Hybrid
 

In our November 2002 issue we looked at the Constar PET bottle designed to directly replace the aluminium can in vending machines and on filling lines. Another innovative PET container has now hit the market – this time from Owens-Illinois.

Every week we read about new applications for PET packaging, with PET replacing glass or other plastics. PET is now finding its way into that bastion of aluminium packaging – the beverage can. The latest offering is an innovative PET/aluminium hybrid designed and produced by Owens-Illinois Plastics. The package consists of a crystal clear PET body and a standard 202 aluminium can top with ring pull opening.

The lightweight pack is designed to showcase modern, brightly coloured beverages, and (more down-to-earth) to let the consumer see just how much of the drink is left in the container. The 340 ml can has exactly the same dimensions as a standard 12 ounce aluminium beverage can and will run through existing can filling lines as well as being suitable for distribution in existing can vending machines.

The PET can body is blown on a Sidel machine from a short, 28mm neck, preform with no thread profile. The standard aluminium end is seamed on in exactly the same way as it would be seamed onto an aluminium body – a technique which has already been successfully used by O-I on their PET tennis ball container with a ring-pull aluminium lid.

To ensure that the PET can has the widest possible potential market it is being made available as a multi-layer container including the O-I SurShield barrier material, making it suitable for carbonated beverages and oxygen sensitive products such as beer. It will be capable of containing beverages with higher carbonation levels and so will be available with a champagne base or a petaloid base.
The new container is available worldwide and O-I expects to see the first retail roll-out in the second half of 2003.