Single-layer PET has barrier good enough for beer

Single-layer PET has barrier good enough for beer


A PET formulated to give an effective oxygen barrier in only a single layer bottle has been developed by Mossi & Ghisolfi group (M & G), the world's second largest PET producer which bought Shell's PET business in 2000 and last year bought Rhodia's Brazilian PET business. The material is already in use for beer bottles in Russia.

The ActiTUF material imparts both active and/or passive gas barrier properties. The active barrier is achieved through a proprietary oxygen scavenging technology while the passive barrier is achieved either through the incorporation of naphthalates or through a proprietary poly-addition technology. Unlike other oxygen scavenging systems, says M & G, the new oxygen scavenging technology is triggered to react with oxygen only when a container is filled with beverage. The material is said to be recyclable in the same way as standard PET.

Initially, M & G is marketing the material in Europe and will be introducing ActiTUF resins to North America probably from Q3 of this year. Pricing is likely to be in the range Eur 330 to Eur 650/tonne above that of standard PET. M & G's target is the market for oxygen sensitive beverages such as single serve juice/juice drinks and beer, replacing glass and cans. The first commercial use of the ActiTUF technology is by Interbrew in its Pivopack bottle being introduced to the Russian market for Klinskoye beer.