Rexam Beverage Can will go into full production of its Fusion aluminium bottle for the first time, at its plant in the Czech Republic in the first quarter of 2010.
The plant near Prague will have a first year capacity of 60 million units, aimed at creating a market for the Fusion bottle. The plan is to increase capacity to 120 million units at the same production facility, before expanding into other Rexam plants throughout the world.
The standard 33cl and 25cl bottles will be produced on the line. Customers will be able to choose from three closure types - ROPP (re-sealable), MaxiP Crown and Standard Crown.
Fusion can be pasteurised and is suitable for beverages including single serve wines and flavoured water, beer, energy and soft drinks.
Illustration Impact, which allows photo-like images to be printed on to the can, will be standard for the aluminium bottle, with gloss and matt finishes available as well as a white basecoat.
Rexam plans to introduce the full spectrum of ink and varnishes in due course.
Rexam has been working in partnership with specific contract fillers who will be able to fill Fusion bottles on their existing lines. This gives customers the flexibility to launch Fusion without having to use their own filling lines, says Rexam.
“Fusion is a technological breakthrough and a credit to the vision and passion of the Rexam team and our partners, who have committed their professional experience to making the dream of a DWI (drawn and ironed) aluminium bottle a commercial reality,” said Stephen Howell, Rexam Beverage Can’s breakthrough innovations manager.
