Husky Technologies in collaboration with Food Review, brings you the recording of the Innovations in Sustainable Beverage Closures webinar presented by Michael White, director of business development, Husky Technologies.
Lightweighting
Lightweighting refers to the process of reducing the amount of material used in closures without compromising functionality. This approach offers multiple benefits:
- Material reduction: By using less raw material, manufacturers can significantly decrease their carbon footprint.
- Transportation efficiency: Lighter closures mean lower transport weights, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions during distribution.
- Cost effectiveness: Using less material translates directly to lower production costs, making lightweighting an economically smart choice.
Current innovations in lightweighting include: – Redesigned closure geometries that maintain structural integrity with less material – Advanced injection molding techniques that optimize material distribution – Material science developments allowing for thinner yet stronger closures
A key example of successful lightweighting is the evolution of standard water bottle caps, which have seen a reduction of up to 30% in material usage over the past decade while maintaining performance and consumer usability.
Tethering
Tethered closures remain permanently attached to the container after opening. This seemingly simple design change offers remarkable sustainability benefits:
- Litter reduction: By keeping caps attached to bottles, tethering significantly reduces the likelihood of caps becoming environmental litter.
- Enhanced recyclability: When caps stay with bottles, both components are more likely to enter the recycling stream together, improving overall recycling rates.
- Regulatory compliance: Tethering helps manufacturers meet emerging regulations, such as the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandates tethered caps by 2024.
The latest tethered closure designs incorporate: – Hinged systems that provide a comfortable drinking experience – Stay-open features that keep the cap out of the way during consumption – Consumer-friendly designs that maintain ease of use without sacrificing sustainability
We’re seeing rapid adoption of tethered closures across the beverage industry, with major brands already implementing these solutions ahead of regulatory deadlines.
PET Closures
Traditionally, most beverage closures have been made from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), while bottles are often made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). This creates challenges in the recycling process. The move toward PET closures offers significant advantages:
- Mono-material packaging: Using PET for both bottle and closure creates a mono-material package that’s easier to recycle.
- Superior performance: PET closures can offer improved barrier properties and rigidity compared to traditional alternatives.
- Circular economy support: PET closures can more easily incorporate recycled content, supporting closed-loop recycling systems.
Recent technological breakthroughs in PET closure production include: – Advanced compression molding techniques specific to PET – Integration of oxygen scavengers and other functional additives within PET closures – Development of PET formulations optimized for closure applications
Leading beverage companies are increasingly adopting PET closures as part of their commitment to creating fully recyclable packaging solutions.
The beverage industry continues to innovate in this space, exploring new materials, designs, and production techniques to further enhance sustainability. The future of beverage closures looks promising, with ongoing developments in biodegradable options, enhanced recycling compatibility, and further reductions in material usage.
