Sacmi brews up PET beer bottle advancements for the Russian market

For a brief period, several packaging suppliers were concerned about a proposed Russian ban on the sale of beer in PET packaging, which was scheduled to go effect in 2013. Russian brewers are among leading consumers of PET, according to MRC analysts. About 30% of total consumption of PET bottle pellets in Russia is taken up by beer.

However, this past November the industry had something to "cheers" about when the Russian government dropped plans for the ban.

Italian packaging company Sacmi first introduced its intention to produce and fill beer in PET for the Russian market in 2011. The company developed a plant specifically for this type of product that included PET preform injection systems able to make standard 1.5-liter bottles, the manufacture of one-piece plastic imitation crown caps, filling process and final labeling.

Now the company has announced new advancements in this area, which include new technical and plant engineering characteristics. The company says these advancements are capable of making a difference along the entire supply chain, from producers to bottlers, all the way to the consumer.

Due to research and testing of materials, the risk of oxygen-induced product deterioration has, to all intents and purposes, been eliminated, the company stated.

The improvements stem from filling systems that have been specifically designed for this type of material and product. The proposed filler, the ELT electronic volumetric long-tube model for filling PET bottles with beer, is part of a new electronic range developed by Sacmi Filling. All fillers in the range feature "ultra-clean" filling isolators and fast size changeover systems.

Sacmi says this complete turnkey solution covers everything from the raw material to the bottle. The company highlighted the new PET preform production systems with its IPS press and rotary SBF stretch blowmolders, which are capable of boosting small bottle productivity on the machine due to a versatile dual-cavity mold. In addition, Sacmi talked about its CCM cap-making series that features high output performance, short cycle times and low energy consumption.

Sacmi has focused on the Russian market to help strengthen and develop its position in the beverage industry. The company says the Russian market has 143 million consumers and has shown strong signs of activity, particularly in the food and drink sector, over the last few years. In addition, the company points to the "medium-to-long term legislative stability" regarding the announcement by Russian authorities that beer can be produced and bottled in PET.

Global PET beer bottle consumption is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% to reach 7.7 billion bottles by 2015, according to Pira International. Central and Eastern Europe is the dominant market for PET beer bottles.

The Sacmi-made PET bottle for the beer industry will be on display at the UPAKOVKA / UPAK Trade Fair for Packaging (January 29 - February 1; Expocentre, Moscow, Russia).