Plastics packaging specialist APPE has launched a PET jar capable of hot-fill and/or pasteurisation up to 95°C – ThermaLite.
According to the Wrexham, UK-based company, the new ThermaLite jar offers food manufacturers and retailers a variety of convenience and sustainability benefits over more traditional packaging formats such as glass.
The ThermaLite jar is the result of an APPE strategic partnership with Nissei ASB GmbH (Europe).
“Our new ThermaLite jar is a real breakthrough providing for the first time in a pasteurisable format, the clarity usually associated with glass, and the light weight and consumer convenience benefits of plastic,” says Mike Hanratty, APPE’s business development director.
“Equally important, its energy and transport savings also make a valuable contribution to the reduction of companies’ carbon footprints and logistical costs,” he adds.
The ThermaLite jar is said to be up to 85% lighter than glass equivalents with a smaller footprint, delivering “huge savings” in transport costs both before and after filling.
“It also uses less energy during the filling process, as well as reducing noise levels and avoiding the risk of breakages on the line,” the company says.
ThermaLite is currently available in six sizes from 370ml to 720ml in round and octagonal designs, with further shapes and sizes in development.
A standard metal twist-off closure ensures easy opening and closing for the end-user, and the jar is also fully recyclable.
In-store, the ThermaLite jar’s smaller footprint compared to glass allows more units to be incorporated into the same shelf space, while its shatter-resistance offers new opportunities for product placement, such as near to the chill cabinet.