In Italy, designing a new type of lightweight PET bottle is more than just a matter of practicality. As with all things Italian, it’s a work of art as well. The new PET bottle from GEA Procomac, launched at Drinktec 2013, is 25% lighter than previously (just 12g compared with 16g for a standard 500ml bottle for aseptic filling). That’s just the practical side.
A temporary suspension of disbelief is necessary to follow the storyline of the new 12g bottle design. GEA Procomac found the main concept represented in the gentleness of ‘Study of Hands’ sketch by renaissance master Leonardo Da Vinci.
As Silvia Armanetti, marketing manager at GEA Procomac, said “The relief graphics inspired by the sketch are visible on the bottle to recall the main message for our customers: you are in safe hands. Aseptic filling in 12 g is the new aseptic way to protect and preserve our customers’ products.
The reduced weight has been made possible through GEA Procomac’s revolutionary ABF (Aseptic Blow Fill) technology that uniquely sterilizes preforms before they are blown into their final shape. This avoids any thermal shrinkage that would otherwise occur on the lightweight bottle in case of bottle sterilization.
Reducing the weight by 25% has a fundamental impact for manufacturers. It reduces the bottle cost by 25%, saves natural fossil resources, helps protect the environment, reduces transportation cost by lowering overall load weight, and significantly reduces recycling costs.
Further innovation to the bottle shape is given, thanks to the cooperation with Bericap, by the 33/15 neck double thread finish.
