Amcor promotes use of aluminum screw cap pet bottles in spirits market

Amcor Rigid Plastics has expanded the use of its unique roll-on pilfer-proof (ROPP) finish design for aluminum screw-cap PET bottles to meet growing market demand for premium packaging for the wine and spirits segments. Amcor is already strongly positioned in the wine market with aluminum screw-cap containers and has now extended its ROPP offering to the spirits category with new 1.75L and 750ml stock PET bottles that offer light weight and smooth conversion from glass.

Amcor Rigid Plastics, the world’s leading producer of rigid plastic packaging, worked in close cooperation with its sister company, Amcor Flexibles Capsules Group, to ensure that the industry standard aluminum closure used for glass spirits bottles could be transferred to PET bottles, according to Lynne Brophy, spirits and wine business director. “We were able to tap our breadth of technical experience and expertise in PET bottles and closures in the wine market to create a high-value, premium option for spirits makers,” said Brophy. “We expect that this expanded offering will encourage more premium spirits brands to consider PET as a replacement for glass.”

The ROPP finish design, available in 30-mm by 60-mm finish (750ml) and 36-mm by 52-mm finish (1.75L), enables a smooth conversion from glass to PET with minimal changes on the glass filling line. The ability to use the same aluminum closure for glass on PET bottles is a major advantage, offering brand owners a similar filling experience at reduced changeover and cost. In addition, brand owners are able to mimic the premium look of glass and achieve high-quality aesthetics.

The ROPP finish containers are designed to withstand the top load required for aluminum cap applications. The PET bottles meet all required testing to ensure a secure seal with the aluminum closure. Various decorating options including custom printing and embossing are available to upscale the aluminum closure.

Aluminum screw-cap PET bottles for spirits are convenient, lightweight, and shatter resistant. Amcor’s ROPP finish bottle design also permits the elimination of a neck support ring which enhances aesthetics. For the 1.75L stock bottle, a standard plastic pour restrictor – typically used for glass bottles – is incorporated inside the bottle neck to prevent spillage.

For spirits makers, the switch to PET also delivers key sustainability benefits. PET containers are light weight, unbreakable, and easy to transport. Lightweight packaging allows more cases per pallet/truck for fewer shipments, lower transportation costs, and reduced carbon emissions.

The two new stock bottles will be incorporated into Amcor’s DeLite brand, currently a complete line of PET bottles with aluminum screw-cap closures for the wine industry.