Described as a “breakthrough barrier technology for the juice industry”, APPE’s ActivSeal system received its official launch at the World Juice Conference in Madrid, early October.
ActivSeal works through the combination of the bottle and closure, combining excellent protection against oxygen ingress and vitamin C loss, with improved clarity compared to traditional barrier materials and no impediment to the recycling process.
APPE, the packaging division of Spain-based industrial plastic packaging group La Seda de Barcelona (LSB), says its new ActivSeal system is cost-effective for smaller size bottles, and avoids the extra haze that other monolayer barriers cause.
Corporate business development director of APPE/LSB Mike Hanratty said: “We can now offer an effective barrier solution for even the smallest bottle size, along with the excellent clarity that helps to create the right on-shelf impact and appeal, without negatively impacting the recycling stream.”
Closure key
Developed through collaboration with ColorMatrix and KTW/Husky, ActivSeal is based on the HyGuard technology developed by ColorMatrix, and has been tested by the European PET Bottle Platform under the ColorMatrix brand name of HyGuard.
Key to the design, a hydrogen activator is built into the ActivSeal closure, with a minute amount of the ActivSeal catalyst present in the container wall. Once the container is full and the closure applied, there is a controlled release of hydrogen.
As oxygen enters through the container wall, it binds with the hydrogen on the surface of the catalyst to form negligible amounts of odourless and tasteless water. In this way, oxygen is prevented from entering the container’s contents.
With the technology for the ActivSeal system held mainly in the closure, no extra barrier is needed for smaller sizes, ensuring the same level of clarity whatever the bottle size and meaning that costs are proportionally the same.
Shelf life
The company says ActivSeal can match the typical shelf life for juices packaged with current barriers, and where required, an extended shelf life is easily achievable.
Other advantages include the oxygen scavenging process not starting until after filling and capping, so that empty bottles can be stored for longer periods with no loss of barrier effectiveness.
ActivSeal bottles are also completely recyclable as there is no danger of contamination from the barrier – a fact recognised by the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) which has stated that ActivSeal has: “No negative impact on European PET recycling”.
APPE is the only company licensed to sell the ActivSeal technology, initially aiming to target a number of market segments, including juice and wine, with food sectors to follow.
www.appepackaging.com
www.laseda.es
