This looks like an ingenious and step forward that will enable a textured feel to products (e.g. less slippery shower gel products!) , more colour options and could also be used with other resins suitable for reheat stretch blow-moulding, such as PLA and PEN. Without using additives – it is also a good environmental option. Chris Penfold

Packaging Professional (IOM3) Dated 17th July 2009  – Meagan Ellis

A foamed PET blow-moulding process that creates lightweight bottles in white or silvery-colours, without using additives, has been developed, according to polymer researchers in the USA. They say the technique creates recyclable decorative and textured PET bottles.

Plastic Technologies Inc (PTI) has unveiled the oPTI bottle process, which is based on microcellular foam injection technology from MuCell in Woburn, USA. Bottles are created by injecting nitrogen into the PET melt using a modified preform moulding machine. As the cavity-fill pressure in the chamber drops below the nucleation pressure, foam cells are produced and expand as gas diffuses into them. The resulting preform can be blow-moulded using conventional technology.

Read the full article at: Coloured PET foam | IOM3: The Global Network for Materials, Minerals & Mining Professionals.

Tags: environment, Innovation, material, packaging, sustainability

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