When Old South Foods, a bottler and co-packer of restaurant foods, converted its 16-oz barbecue sauce decanter from glass to hot-fill polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, it represented the first commercial adoption of Amcor's 16-oz hot-fill stock decanter.

The 16-oz decanter has a 38-mm 400 finish, which is compatible with a range of induction seal label systems.

"We do believe Amcor is pretty much the only one offering the hot-fillable PET decanter," Yi Jiang, market development manager for Amcor, told PlasticsToday. "Some of our competitors supply a similar-looking package, but not hot-fillable. With all the inquires we have had, we're pretty confident there will be more conversions."

The 38.4g hot-fill (up to 185°F) decanters are also said to provide a reduction in freight costs along with a minimizing breakage and damaged goods during manufacturing and in charge backs from retailer.

"PET bottles are much easier to fill than glass, thus offering us greater accuracy in meeting proper volume measurements," said Greg Peckham, plant manager for Old South Foods. "As a result, we're able to significantly increase our productivity and output."

Brand owner Big Show Foods sought out glass replacement options from C.L. Smith, a St. Louis-based manufacturer and distributor of packaging. C.L. Smith sourced the Amcor 16-oz hot-fill decanter and handled all product testing and compliance.

"As a full line distributor, our part was to provide a highly effective packaging solution that met Big Show Foods' overall business goals and in doing so potentially increase their market share due to the growing consumer preference for PET packaging," said Ellen Mughal, director of marketing for C.L. Smith.

The recent launch of the 16- and 32-oz hot-fill family-size decanters are providing a product differentiator for Amcor in the production of hot-fill containers.

Last year, Amcor successfully commercialized 12-oz 38-mm ring-neck style, and 24-oz 63-mm wide-mouth hot-fill stock bottles for the food market.  

"I think if you look at this market, there is a high acceptance of PET," Jiang said. "What I hear from customers is that PET works great, there's no breakage, plus there are also freight savings. I think all of that is pretty powerful for customers."

Jiang said interest in PET is increasing and that's one reason the company continues to increase its investment in the hot-fillable market.

"Amcor really wants to launch the right package for customers," she said. "This is a package that fulfills the customers need in the hot-fillable market and is also available in family-style sizes. We feel this is just a great package."