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PET container set to reduce carbon footprint significantly

PET container

KHS has launched Loop LITE, a fully recyclable PET container for highly carbonated beverages with the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the beverage industry.

The newly developed weight-reduced bottle1 is made of 100% rPET whose ultra-thin FreshSafe-PET glass inner coating offers freshness as well as quality protection without affecting the recyclability of the PET material itself.

With its Nature MultiPack, the Dortmund-based German system supplier relies entirely on film-free secondary packaging. Tethered caps permanently attached to the bottle round off the holistic sustainability concept of KHS’ new system.

Vesela Helwes, sales expert for PET market development at KHS said “As experts for holistic PET container systems, we continuously develop sustainable packaging designs that contribute to both the ecological as well as the economic goals of our customers.

This includes, for example, lightweight packaging that can be produced with a minimum amount of resources and recycled without compromise, thus contributing to the decarbonization of the industry. With our KHS Loop LITE, we have developed a new PET container concept that specifically addresses the specific needs of CSD beverage manufacturers and meets their high standards in every respect.”

The rPET packaging is specially developed for highly carbonated beverages, making it possible to reduce the amount of material used by up to 25 per cent compared to conventional branded CSD bottles on the market. The bottle body can also be completely recycled and segregated by type.

The innovative and lightweight thread makes resource-conserving bottle production possible, and the permanently attached caps contribute towards achieving a 100 per cent closed loop.

In addition, KHS has said they were able to secure up to 30 per cent reduction of the labelling materials. The special geometry of the newly designed rPET bottle base decreases the pressure required for the stretch blow moulding process and can save up to 15 per cent more energy and thereby cut bottle production costs.

“With the currently increasing cost of raw materials, the cost savings resulting from the substantially lower overall material usage are significant versus conventional solutions on the market. This indicated in the calculation of the total costs, which we specifically point out in the course of discussions with customers,” explained Helwes.

“With our new marketable concept, we are systematically pursuing the course we are taking towards circular economy. The line- compatible, non-returnable PET system not only represents a feasibility study, but also directly aids beverage bottlers in their quest to convert to an environmentally friendly and sustainable portfolio.”

Learn more about KHS here.

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