Sidel and Kortec unveil light-blocking PET bottles

Global PET solutions provider Sidel has teamed up with Kortec to develop a new PET bottle capable of protecting milk and other light-sensitive products.

The bottle uses US co-injection systems supplier Kortec's multi-layer light-blocking (LB) technology, which includes white layers on the inside and out and a black layer in the middle, which acts as the light-blocking component.

Using Kortec's 25g preforms, the companies have designed and produced 1l light-blocking PET bottles for milk, liquid dairy products and juices, as well as other sensitive drinks.

Sidel Packaging project manager Naima Boutroy said that the company's new bottle will protect the product in the package, from production through the supply chain to the consumer.

"By combining Kortec's LB preform with Sidel's bottle design expertise, we have a solution that ensures product quality while also addressing the consumer-driven demand for a uniform look to the packaging," Boutroy added.

Kortec claims that the design flexibility of the new preform will reduce the overall cost of light-blocking packaging technology.

The new technology also reduces the use of raw PET and colourant materials, has fast cycle times and is compatible with moulds comprising up to 128 cavities.

Kortec sales and marketing vice president Russell Bennett said: "By keeping light out, it provides total protection of the milk, and it does so in a PET package that features white on the outside and inside, an attractive package that consumers really want."