Betting the odds on a continuing shift from polycarbonate to polyethylene terephthalate for large water containers, W. Amsler Equipment Inc. (Richmond Hill, ON) introduced a new range of stretch blowmolding machinery this week at the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) Convention and the Pack Expo trade show in Las Vegas.

New is the L120 series of all-electric stretch blowmolding machines, designed for processing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water containers for volumes up to 18.9L (5 gal). The three models in the new series represent Amsler’s entry in reheat stretch-blow machines for larger water containers, according to John Kowal, Amsler project manager. “We have seen a growing demand for larger reheat machines as the bottled-water industry moves increasingly to PET as a replacement for polycarbonate in 5-gallon water bottles,” adds Kowal.

The L120 convertible can run one-, two-, or three-cavities for production of containers sized from 4-22L. Output on the fully-automatic L120 is about 300 of the 18.9L (5 gallon) containers/hour, 1000 15L (4-gal) containers/hr, and 3000 3.8L (1-gal) containers/hr. Neck sizes range from 28 mm to 70 mm. A semi-automatic machine with manual preform loading also is available, as is the single-cavity M120, with manual preform loading and separate preheat and blowing units. This last option is good for processing about 120 3.8L containers per hour.

In related news, the machine maker last month announced the sale of an L15 all-electric reheat stretch blowmolding machine with hot-fill capability to Diversified Ltd. (Trinidad & Tobago), which processes bottles for the food and household-detergent industries. Diversified will use the machine to produce widemouth food jars ranging from 8-32 oz, along with 5L detergent containers for the local market.

The L15 is a single-cavity unit that produces containers from 20 to 70 mm at up to 1700 bottles/hr. The one for Diversified is equipped for automatic loading of 89-mm preforms and has a larger track for preform spigots. —[email protected]