Drinktec 2022: PETform presents preform injection mold as developing nations up demand for small beverage bottles

15 Sep 2022 --- PETform is currently showcasing its new preform injection mold at Drinktec 2022 in Munich, Germany, for beverage bottles. The technology allows companies to use their old machines to produce more cavities, thereby decreasing their carbon footprint.

PackagingInsights speaks to Shurid Mody, CEO at PETform, about the preform injection mold and about how it increases production and responds to consumer demand for small beverage bottles in developing countries. 

“PETform’s preform injection mold is a new design where we can put more cavities into a machine. So if you have a 96 preform machine, we could probably put in 128 cavities.”

“With our solution, you are increasing production by 30%, 50% or maybe double. You are bringing down the conversion cost by piece.”

“It is very common to have 200 mL or 250 mL juice bottles or soft drink bottles in India. This is something I have not seen in more developed countries,” he adds. 

Mody adds that over the last few years, there has been a high growth in demand for smaller bottles and smaller packaging, especially in developing countries. With the preform injection mold, it is possible to meet this demand.

PETform’s preform injection mold. New tech for old machines
The PETform CEO explains that preform machines are designed with a certain throughput in mind. 

“Let’s say a 48 cavity machine normally has an injection unit where the throughput can be up to 500 kg an hour. But if the preform rate is less, the throughput goes down. So you will want to put in more cavities.”

“To put more cavities into the machine, you need to reduce the distance between the cavities. In the industry, the smallest distance between cavities that exists is 50 mL and with our new technology we can go down to 40 mL,” says Mody.

“But for the standard neck sizes on the market of 20 mm and 30 mm, there is a restriction on the mold side. But still, we can go down to a distance between cavities of 45 mm.”

Mody further highlights that this is how PETform can fit in more cavities and increase production.

He continues that the exhibit is a mold that has 96 cavities and designed for old machines that are still running on the market, like the Husky GL300, the XL300 or the LS300. “There are a lot of these machines which are running in the Americas, North Africa and probably also in Europe.”

“There is an opportunity for them to go straight to 96 cavities and old machines can be improved. It is not necessary to buy a new machine. When you buy a new machine, it has a carbon footprint, and the old machines’ carbon footprint has already been printed.”

“As you increase the cavitation, the energy consumption goes down and you are maximizing the throughput.”

PETform also makes substitute parts for other injection molds. Global lightweight demand 
Mody says that globally, there is increasing demand for 500 mL lightweight bottles.

“Normally, the preform machines are sized for a preform rate of a 1,500 mL bottle which is about 22 to 33 g. Now, if you are molding 33 g or 50 g, then there is no point in going down on the pitch. You stick with the original mold size. But once you start going below 30 g, there is an opportunity.”

“We’re a medium-small sized company and we have thought this concept through many times and made it successful on the first try.”

PETform currently has 20 key customers. 

“We have a good customer base in Canada and our company has great potential in Mexico,” continues Mody. Mexico has a very big market for PET bottles, with very high consumption rates per capita. 

“Mexico has a consumption rate per capita of 170 L per year. India has a consumption rate of 7 L per year for carbonated beverages. Although Mexico has only one-tenth of the population of India, its consumption is 3.5 times that of India, and that is why we are focusing on that market.”

He adds that the company also has customers in other countries, such as Morocco and Madagascar. 

“We are a company from India, but we are focusing on supplying our technology to developed countries. We are innovative, and I think we have done something that nooone else has managed – as of now,” concludes Mody. 

By Natalie Schwertheim