Heat Set First as Unicer Launches Juice in PET in Portugal

Heat Set bottles from Amcor PET Packaging Europe/Asia, confirmed in recent tests as having similar shelf-life qualities to glass, have been selected by leading manufacturer Unicer for its Frutis range of 100% juices, produced in Portugal. The new bottles represent a new development of Unicer’s retail bottles from glass to heat-resistant PET. They are also the first hot-fill bottles to be produced at Amcor’s PET facility in Toledo, Spain, and the first to be sold in Portugal. Amcor is producing two bottle sizes – 330ml and 1 litre – in clear PET, with a 38mm neck. Product is being filled in the containers at 85ºC, offering a shelf- life of six months. The bottle features a unique shoulder design, which distinguishes it from a standard heat set bottle to create a distinctive appearance on-shelf. Unicer’s design brief to Amcor was to produce a PET bottle with features similar to the original glass version. Amcor’s Design Department at the Centre of Excellence in Brecht, Belgium then produced three concept drawings – all showing feasible shapes in hot-fillable PET. Once Unicer had made its selection from these, Amcor carried out a series of tests and modifications to optimise ribs in the shoulder and prove the effectiveness of the unique shape. “The Amcor bottles offer the same shelf life properties as glass, combined with lightweight and easy handling, both important consumer benefits,” comments Cristina Serrado, General Manager of Juices and Carbonated Soft Drinks at Unicer. “Equally important, the new design and the clarity of the material ensure that the juices have excellent on-shelf impact.” Amcor was the first converter to offer heat set pinch-grip bottles, which incorporate a patented, crystallised finish to offer filling temperatures of up to 85ºC. The Company has also been conducting a series of tests with leading concentrates and fruit blends supplier Doehler, to further understand the shelf-life capabilities of these bottles. Of the tests completed so far, results have shown that juice and juice mixes, hot-filled in an Amcor heat-set 32 g, 0.5 litre bottle (in combination with a White Cap closure) have achieved a six-month ambient shelf life. Equally important, the five products tested – a multi vitamin 50% fruit juice and four active breakfast juice mixes – all had taste and optical quality equal to that of glass after six months. The tests involved exposure to high-temperatures (30ºC to 44ºC), light and UV rays. “We are seeing a gradual push among retailers towards PET bottles over glass equivalents for juice products,” comments Uwe Röblitz, Technical Marketing Manager at Doehler. “Our heat set tests with Amcor bottles prove PET’s capabilities in this area and the high filling temperature of 85ºC that these bottles can withstand is especially beneficial in avoiding any risk of contamination during the filling process.