PET packaging specialist APPE has developed and supplied a 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottle for the Oji brand of ‘sustainable’ functional fruit drinks.
Working in conjunction with Switzerland-based brand-focused consumer foods group Hero, APPE supplied the rPET material through its recycling plant in Beaune, France, with the bottle manufactured at APPE Belgium, and bottles supplied to Hero’s filling operation in The Netherlands.
Hero provided its expertise to APPE for the filling and shelf life aspect of the operation.
APPE’s specialist in-house design team created the preform for the 100ml bottle and had considerable creative input into its physical appearance.
APPE’s Silvie Willemsen said: “The new bottle is evidence that our rPET material and extensive recycling facilities can enable a brand to meet its closed loop recycling requirements.”
The new bottle can be recycled and then reused for new 100% rPET bottles, fitting perfectly with Oji’s co-operation with the TerraCycle program, which focuses on eradicating incineration and waste.
In addition, the bottle provides an ambient shelf life of six months for the preservative-free drinks, avoiding the energy consumption involved in keeping them in chilled storage.