One of the major problems related to PET containers is the difficulty of guaranteeing an adequate shelf life, especially for sensitive products – fruit juices, dairy and functional drinks etc. Additional barriers to light, oxygen or carbon dioxide, are called for that take into account the numerous intrinsic and environmental variables that can influence shelf life.

 

 

PET Engineering of San Vendemiano in Italy, are specialised in the design and engineering of PET containers, including containers that meet the special needs of sensitive juice products

“First of all we must consider”, says Paola Tamagnone, R&D manager of PET Engineering, “the intrinsic characteristics, the shelf life requirements, the sensitivity to light, oxygen and UV radiation, the amount of dissolved oxygen during the filling process and the possible presence of vitamins or other sensitive compounds to oxidation. It is then necessary to keep in mind, external parameters related to the type of filling, the distribution chain, the temperature, the country of distribution, and the container dimensions. All of these variables must be considered as a basis for the development of the right package.”

Having analysed the variables, the next step for the Italian company is to design, using sophisticated software, a preform and a bottle, simulating with precision the oxygen barrier properties and other performance criteria, and so determining the shelf-life.

Based on the client’s and product’s needs PET Engineering recommends active or passive barriers that are available in the market, such as coating, a multilayer preform or a bottle made from a PET barrier blend.

 

 

Among the many successful developments by PET Engineering within the sensitive products area are dairy drinks packaging for Granarolo, the monodose project, and a large capacity beer bottle developed with InBev.