European brewers turn to lightweight PET standards

Closure Systems International (CSI) said that it was now working with the Germany-based brewer Frankfurt BrauHaus to supply its MB-Lok mini beer closures for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles that can reduce required pack material by 20 per cent.

The MB-Lok closures can be used on regular bottles sizes ranging from 0.25 litres up to 3 litres, and is adaptable for the PCO 1873 or 1881 short height bottle finishes that are becoming more sought after in the bloc, according to Matinez.

PCO standards Group spokesperson Juanjo Martinez told BeverageDaily.com that the closure system's compliance with the PCO bottle standards has already resulted in its use in markets such as Mexico for beer and carbonated soft drink bottling.

"We have been supplying the products in Latin American markets since 2007 by working with drinks group FEMSA and are now looking to expand into new markets," he stated.

"The PCO is intended to be used with clear carbonated soft drinks and beer applications, with manufacturers of these products in Europe now increasingly beginning to adopt these standards."

The PCO 1881 and 1873 short height neck finish standards are set by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) as a means to cut down on material use in packaging.

The association's members include brand owners, preform and closure manufacturers, and those who make filling lines, capper and blow moulding machines.

MB-Lok The company says that the MB-Lok mini closure is a two-piece design that can cut down on PET bottle weight without compromising product quality over existing products.

The product also makes use of an oxygen scavenging liner to ensure longer shelf life for beverage products, according to the group.

CSI claims that as an additional part of this design, that the company's Quick Change capper conversion kit that can reduce downtime when switching between short height and standard size closures