Light weighting of packaging is a core target of the industry in general, which falls in line with cost reductions, but also follows the internal sustainability guideline of many companies today – saving non-renewable raw materials by using less packaging material and therefore supporting the reduction of CO2 emission (greenhouse gas effect).
Since 2005 Canadian water filler Naya Waters has taken steps to reduce plastic in their bottles and closures. They turned to BERICAP North America to meet their closure requirements and finally converted two filling lines to BERICAP’s 29/25 HexaLite® closure at the end of 2009. The transition to the 29/25 HexaLite closure went off without issues.
After Danone Turkey, Naya Waters is another filler persuaded of the positive aspects of the HexaLite 29/25 closure.
The still water market is the defined target for the BERICAP HexaLite closures. The HexaLite range includes HexaLite 26 FB, suitable for light weighted 26mm neck finish and the HexaLite 29 FB, suitable for a light weighted 30mm neck finish. All HexaLite closures are equipped with a slit and folded safety band (Flexband) for efficient TE performance, and reliable and forgiving application on high-speed lines. The cost saving to convert from a 30/25 neck and closure to HexaLite 29/25 will save approximately 33% of resin in the neck and closure weight.
A conversion of the existing 26.7mm neck and corresponding closure, predominantly in North America, to the HexaLite 26 FB has already started; production began in August 2008 and it has become an extreme success. Important market players have either decided to switch to HexaLite 26 FB and will take the advantage of significant resin savings (approximately 40% for neck and closure) and therefore cost savings, or are on the way to converting in the foreseeable future.