SG company opens new aseptic PET bottling plant in New Zealand

Singapore-based company Etika International Holdings has opened a new ultra-high temperature (UHT) aseptic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottling plant in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand to manufacture liquid milk and juice products.

Built over a 1.65ha site in the Whakatu Industrial Park in Hastings, the plant is the first of its kind in Australasia and the South East Asian region, claims the global sweetened condensed and evaporated mik manufacturer .

The new plant, which is expected to generate about 30 jobs, was established through a joint venture entered into by Etika and local Hawkes Bay investors through its New Zealand subsidiary Etika Dairies New Zealand (EDNZ). EDNZ holds a 60.7% interest in the partnership while the remaining amount is held by Hawkes Bay investors.

The new plant will process 18 million litres of milk and juice annually. These products include vitamin-fortified flavored milk, lactose-free milk, soy milk, milk-based energy drinks / liquid meals, standard UHT milk and liquid infant formula.

With an initial capacity of 6,000 bottles an hour, the plant was built to meet growing demand for bottled and packaged dairy products – especially for infant formula - in New Zealand, which was triggered by milk contamination problems in China in 2008. The plant's capacity is expected to rise to 30,000 units by 2012.

Fonterra will supply the milk required for production while apples and kiwi fruits procured from nearby orchards will be processed by an in-house crusher to produce 100% fruit juices.

As the plant utilizes UHT technology to treat milk and juice products before packaging, no preservatives are being used. UHT technology involves sterilization by heating at a high temperature of more than 135° C for a very short period of time.

The milk and juice products will be packaged using non-contact aseptic cold filling technology into lightweight PET bottles, which enable the products to remain fresh and have a longer shelf life of up to six months even without refrigeration.

While UHT packaging traditionally uses polylaminated cardboard cartons, Etika’s use of PET bottles to package milk and juice will make the company the first in the world to manufacture infant liquid formula in PET bottles featuring a teat cap, says the company.

Moreover, the use of fully recyclable PET bottles helps reduce the carbon footprint of the plant, the company notes. The bottles also feature gas and UV light barrier properties, further increasing the shelf life of the products.

The products manufactured at the plant will be sold in the New Zealand market as well as exported to China, Japan, South East Asia and Australia.

Etika has also revealed plans to expand its four business divisions including dairies, frozen food, packaging and others. Etika will also undertake contract manufacturing of dairy, juice and water products for third parties through the Hawkes Bay plant.

Source: Etika International Holdings