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Amcor: Hot-fill PET containers with metal lug closures

Said to be a first for the food packaging industry, Amcor Rigid Plastics’ A-PEX63 system consists of a unique blow-and-trim 24-oz PET container which allows the fitment of metal lug closures to produce the look and feel of a glass jar with a metal lug closure – including the reassuring, functional “pop” tamper-evident indicator button on the closure.

Hot-fill PET containers with metal lug closures
Hot-fill PET containers with metal lug closures

The A-PEX63 system ensures that sealing integrity is maintained and meets the industry average for removal torque (ease of opening). Brand owners can also maintain the same brand equity with the switch from glass to PET. The patent-pending technology delivers the same quality and freshness associated with glass along with significant performance, manufacturing, and sustainability benefits.

The 24-oz stock hot-fill containers, targeted for food applications such as jams, jellies, salsas, apple sauce, and pesto sauce, are a drop-in solution for manufacturers, providing reduced total cost of ownership and environmental benefits such as reduced carbon footprint. The shift to A-PEX63 PET containers requires no capital investment and can be adapted to existing capping and filling equipment.

The containers are hot fillable up to 205°F (96°C) and available with Amcor’s unique Powerflex vacuum absorbing base for those applications that require enhanced vacuum performance.

Among PET’s key sustainability benefits are a 36% energy savings and a reduction of 2024 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to electricity use for one year for 278 homes. Versus the 330-gram glass container, the 51-gram PET container results in an 85% material reduction per jar. The weight reduction results in major transportation cost benefits including the shipment of 30% more product by weight/truck.

The hot-fill container passes distribution abuse testing including variation, impact, and 5-ft vertical drop evaluations.

The 24-oz containers are commercially available for food manufacturers throughout the U.S. Expanding the technology to include 16-oz and 48-oz containers for similar hot-fill food applications is under consideration.

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