New PET barrier container with handle for craft beer market
CANADIAN company W Amsler Equipment, a leading supplier of all-electric linear PET stretch blow moulders, has launched a new 64-oz (approx. 2-litres) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) growler jug that mimics the competitive glass design and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life. The PET container is believed to be the first in the industry to include a handle and provide barrier protection.
The amber PET container is manufactured by W Amsler at its Bolton, Ontario, facility on behalf of JMS International Packaging, a leading packaging solutions provider, on a W. Amsler all-electric linear series stretch blow moulder. The PET barrier container weighs 106 grams versus 1.2kg for the glass version, resulting in reduced shipping costs. It is also event-friendly, unbreakable and 100% recyclable, according to Heidi Amsler, sales and marketing manager for W. Amsler.
A growler is a jug commonly sold at breweries and brew pubs as a means to sell take-out craft beer. The significant growth of craft breweries and the growing popularity of home brewing have also led to an emerging market for the sale of growlers. The PET growlers have a flat champagne base rather than a carbonated base design and withstand 15 psi of pressure.
For the growlers, W. Amsler selected a barrier with a monolayer structure which includes a Sherwin Williams’ barrier additive. The barrier prevents oxygen ingress and egress and loss of CO2, providing a 120-day shelf life versus 48 hrs for standard PET growlers. This monolayer barrier solution is compatible with existing recycling streams. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) handle, designed by JMS International Packaging, is produced separately and attached to the container via a secondary process. The PET container comes with a 38mm finish.
In the future, the JMS production bottles will be manufactured with a new patented PET plastic (PETB1) that has been developed by JMS International Packaging Inc. The new patented plastic (PETB1) offers the best barrier to CO2 plus oxygen egress and ingress on the market. This unique material also protects the product from UV rays and is available in transparent or opaque versions. The product resists impact and ensures a certain economy compared to glass. It has strong resistance to hot filling and is much lighter than glass.
The PET plastic growlers are also available in a clear color with or without barrier protection for ciders, craft sodas, craft cocktails and liquor. Pressure-sensitive labels can be applied and a screen printing process can also be used.
